Ever wonder why some websites just feel intuitive and a joy to visit? That’s the essence of digital accessibility! It’s the art and the science of designing the digital world—from websites, apps, or any online content—so that everyone, including people with disabilities, can easily use and understand them. 

In this blog, we’ll discuss the different facets of digital accessibility, sharing best practices for making online assets digitally accessible. We’ll also throw in some top tips and insights to building accessibility into your web design. 

You’ll learn the principles, law, tools, and techniques that can ensure that your content isn’t just accessible and compliant, but also enjoyable for everyone. So, whether you’re a seasoned web designer or an entrepreneur just beginning to dip your toes into the digital waters, whatever digital properties you’re working on, there’s something here for everyone who knows the importance of creating more inclusive online experiences. Let’s get started.

Web accessibility and digital accessibility: what’s the difference?

Before we look into the components of digital accessibility, let’s look at the terms “web accessibility” and “digital accessibility”. Both terms are often used interchangeably. Both are rooted in inclusivity, however they operate on slightly different spectrums. Let’s shed some light on these key terms.

Web Accessibility: This specifically focuses on ensuring that websites and web applications are accessible to all users, including people with disabilities. It encompasses various components such as the content itself, the way it’s coded, the design, and the user interface. There’s also a web accessibility guidebook – The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) which are the golden rules of web accessibility, offering recommendations for making web content more accessible to ensure no one is left out of digital spaces.

Digital Accessibility: This term has a much broader scope. While it includes web accessibility, digital accessibility is about making all digital spaces accessible to everyone, from mobile apps to e-books and interactive kiosks at malls. Digital accessibility means asking questions like, “How does an e-book reader handle text-to-speech? ‘How accessible is an interactive kiosk in a public space?” or “How easy is it for someone to use that app?” It also covers other digital content, including electronic documents like PDFs (an often overlooked part of accessibility).

Golden Nugget: For info on how to make your mobile apps digitally accessible, check out the Mobile Accessibility Guidelines.

Having defined the term ‘digital accessibility’, it’s essential to recognize the spectrum of users businesses should be designing for. Different types of disabilities demand distinct considerations in the digital landscape. These insights will guide our journey to creating more universally accessible online experiences.

What are the types of disability?

Here’s a list of some of the most common types of disabilities:

Visual Impairments: Conditions affecting sight, ranging from limited vision to complete blindness.

Motoric Disabilities:  Conditions that impact movement, dexterity, or physical interaction with devices and the environment.

Cognitive & Learning Disabilities: Challenges related to processing, understanding information, or sensory and communication abilities. These can affect one’s interaction with the environment and ability to receive and process information.

Deafness or Hearing Impairments: Conditions affecting hearing, ranging from minimal loss to profound deafness.

Did you know? Around 15% of the world’s population experiences some form of disability? That’s over a billion potential users! Making your digital space accessible is not just ethically right, it’s a huge business opportunity, tapping into a vast market segment and showcasing a commitment to inclusivity. Why would you want to leave any of your potential audience out? 

Now that we’ve looked at some of the different types of disability, there’s that (crucial) matter of the law to consider! Up next, the WCAG and ADA standards.

WCAG: the gold standard in digital accessibility

The WCAG, as mentioned earlier, stands as the gold standard for digital accessibility. With principles divided under the acronym POUR (Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, and Robust), WCAG ensures that users can interact seamlessly with the digital world in ways that are:

• Perceivable: Your website’s content should be displayed in a user-friendly manner. This involves having legible text, alternative options for multimedia, and a crisp, adaptable design. 

• Operable: Your site’s features and interface should work smoothly with various tools. Ensure no interactions exclude users with disabilities, like specific single-mode actions or time-sensitive tasks.

• Understandable: Make sure your site’s content is straightforward and digestible for everyone. This means streamlined processes, predictable site responses, and extra support when users input information.

• Robust: Your site should be consistently navigable for everyone, including those tapping into assistive tech.

Within the WCAG, there are three distinct levels of compliance: A, AA, and AAA.

Level A: signifies basic accessibility measures and acts as the foundational tier.

Level AA: encompasses a wider range of recommendations and is the target level for most organizations. 

Level AAA: represents the highest level  of accessibility. It builds upon Level A and AA standards, incorporating even more demanding criteria.

Fresh insight: WCAG establishes digital accessibility standards and continually evolves. WCAG 2.2 is the latest version and is updated with insights from real users, ensuring digital inclusivity isn’t just theoretical but grounded in real-world needs.

The ADA: where accessibility meets the law

While WCAG serves as the guiding light for creating accessible content, The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) enforces the legal necessity for digital accessibility.

A landmark legislation, the ADA stands as a testament to the U.S.’s commitment to inclusivity and equality for all. Originally conceived to break down physical barriers in public spaces, the ADA has since evolved to address the digital domain, ensuring that online platforms and resources are accessible to everyone, including those with disabilities. 

High-profile lawsuits, like those against Domino’s Pizza, highlight the need for adherence to ADA law, reinforcing that digital accessibility isn’t merely a best practice; it’s a legal mandate.

While we’ve looked into ADA and WCAG, there are other important standards in the digital accessibility world that  we must spotlight. Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act ensures that all digital content from U.S. federal agencies is universally accessible. Meanwhile, European accessibility standards are paving the way for a digitally inclusive experience across EU member states.

Side note: Navigating the global digital space? Get to grips with Section 508 and EN 301 549 to understand international accessibility mandates. Sound intricate? Many businesses, like CMS Max, who made 2000+ of their websites ADA compliant, have found it invaluable to hire a full-service accessibility expert who is helping them to stay compliant with evolving laws.

After discussing the legalities, let’s shift gears and dive into some hands-on, practical applications for digital accessibility.

The accessibility mindset: 3 first steps to inclusion

In the world of digital design and development, having the right tools and techniques is essential. but the foundation of truly inclusive content lies in the mindset behind its creation. Let’s walk through why thinking about accessibility from the outset of any digital project is crucial..

1. Understand the ‘Why’ behind accessibility

Before diving into the how-to’s, it’s essential to grasp the ‘why’. Why should we prioritize accessibility? At its core, digital accessibility isn’t just about compliance or ticking a box; it’s about people. By understanding this deeper purpose, your efforts towards making content accessible become more meaningful.

2. Empathy is key

How would you respond to a captivating video that had no captions, making it incomprehensible? Or if an exciting article was unreadable due to its color contrast? By fostering empathy, you become more attuned to potential accessibility barriers, guiding your design and content choices.

3. Continual learning

As technology and design trends shift, so do accessibility challenges and solutions. Make it a habit to stay updated. Join online accessibility communities, attend workshops, or set aside time each month to read up on the latest advancements in the space.

As we venture into the next section, we’ll equip you with 10 practical tips to get you started, weaving accessibility into your digital work.

10 essential tips for an inclusive digital experience

Here are some of the top digital accessibility examples and tips that can dramatically improve your users’ experience:

1. Text Alternatives: All non-text content, such as images or videos, should be accompanied by a text description. This helps screen readers convey the content to users with visual impairments. 

2. Captions for Multimedia: Videos or live audio should be provided with captions, benefiting those with hearing impairments.

3. Voice Recognition: Websites or apps that can be navigated using voice commands cater to those with motor disabilities or those who cannot use a mouse or touchscreen.

4. Resizable Text: Users should be empowered to adjust the font size without the text getting scrambled, ensuring readability for those with visual impairments.

5. Keyboard Navigation: All functionalities of a website should have the ability to be  accessed using a keyboard for those who cannot use a mouse.

6. Color Contrast: High contrast between text and its background color will make reading easier for those with visual impairments.

7. Avoidance of Flashing Elements: Reducing or eliminating flashing elements will help to prevent seizures for users with epilepsy.

8. Clear Forms: Labels or instructions should be provided when content requires user input, aiding users with cognitive challenges.

9. Simple and Intuitive Navigation: A consistent and predictable layout will help your users to navigate easily.

10. Compatibility with Assistive Technologies: Websites and apps should work seamlessly with technologies like screen readers, magnifiers, or voice recognition software.

These are just a few examples, also emphasizing the fact that digital accessibility benefits a broad range of users (not just people with disabilities).

Pixel Point: When designing for inclusivity, always ensure your color contrast meets WCAG standards. Not only does it make content more readable for those with visual impairments, but it also enhances clarity for all users, especially in varying lighting conditions.

The future of digital accessibility

It’s clear that companies are leveling up in their accessibility journey and exploring tools that can help them amplify and monitor their accessibility efforts. These tools are invaluable as a go-to in identifying accessibility errors, fixing them, and keeping you ahead of compliance. 

The tools worth their weight in gold will be grounded in the WCAG standards and will help you stay legally compliant even as laws change.  In essence, the best digital accessibility tools will leverage AI And human expertise, keeping you accountable and showcasing your commitment to an inclusive digital world.

UserWay: lighting your path to digital inclusivity

Ready to navigate the world of digital accessibility tools and services? This is where UserWay, one of Gartner’s top tech vendors in digital accessibility, steps in. 

With cutting-edge AI solutions like the Accessibility Widget, Scanner, and Accessibility Audits, we guide you to create barrier-free digital experiences. You benefit from a range of services including remediation of your accessibility errors, attorney-legal support, a monetary Pledge (should you find yourself facing accessibility-related legal issues) and dedicated support from a highly seasoned accessibility team. Request a demo today and let’s get started in making your digital spaces welcoming for all of your users.

Answers to Common FAQs

What is digital accessibility?

Digital accessibility ensures everyone can engage with digital content, removing barriers like incompatible designs or insufficient text contrast.

Is meeting digital accessibility standards required by law?

Yes, the ADA mandates digital accessibility, and while WCAG isn’t law, it’s globally recognized as the gold standard.

Will digital accessibility standards change?

Absolutely. As technology advances, digital accessibility standards and legal requirements adapt to ensure continuous inclusion for all users.