The importance of web accessibility as a vital business requirement in the digital era
In today's digital-first economy, ensuring a business website is accessible isn't just good ethics – it's smart business. Skynet Technologies offers the All in One Accessibility® widget, making it easier than ever to implement web accessibility in digital properties.
Making a website accessible can open up new market opportunities, boost potential sales and engagement, and improve search engine rankings. According to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), around 1.3 billion people worldwide live with some form of disability, and ignoring web accessibility risks alienating a significant portion of the target audience.
Ensuring a business website is accessible sends a message that everyone is welcome. By following these best practices, businesses can not only meet the WCAG 2.1 or 2.2 Level AA conformance but also mitigate legal risk and broaden their audience inclusively.
Key practices for implementing web accessibility include:
- Providing captions and audio descriptions for videos to assist people who are deaf or hard of hearing and improve searchability.
- Using sufficient color contrast with at least a 4.5:1 contrast ratio for text and interactive elements to aid users with visual impairments.
- Ensuring full keyboard operability so users can navigate every feature using the keyboard alone with visible focus indicators and logical tab order.
- Using semantic HTML and proper page structure to facilitate screen reader navigation and understanding.
- Adding accessible labels and ARIA attributes to buttons, icons, and form fields for clarity with assistive technologies.
- Including “skip to main content” links to allow users to bypass repeated navigation.
- Designing forms with clear error identification both visually and programmatically linked to relevant inputs.
- Avoiding flashing or blinking content that could trigger seizures and ensuring all dynamic elements can be closed via keyboard.
- Not relying on color alone to convey information.
- Providing users with font resizing or font swapping options for readability.
- Publishing an accessibility statement to affirm commitment and inform users how to get help or provide feedback.
- Regularly testing with assistive technologies to identify and fix issues.
- Conducting manual accessibility audits and remediation, not relying solely on automated scanning.
- Treating accessibility as an ongoing process, scheduling quarterly or bi-annual audits, training content creators on accessibility best practices, and staying updated with evolving WCAG standards.
By following these practices, businesses can create an accessible website that strengthens brand reputation by demonstrating corporate social responsibility, positioning the brand as inclusive, ethical, and customer-centric.
Skynet Technologies can assess a business's current accessibility status, identify barriers, and remediate digital properties with their expertise in web development. Don't miss out on the opportunity to expand your customer base and improve your bottom line. Embrace web accessibility today.
[1] Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) – https://www.w3.org/WAI/ [2] Web Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) – https://www.w3.org/TR/WCAG21/ [3] Section 508 – https://www.section508.gov/ [4] Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) – https://www.ada.gov/ [5] European Accessibility Act (EAA) – https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say/initiatives/12524-Accessibility-of-products-and-services
