As per World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 1.3 billion people worldwide live with some form vision impairment. This includes individuals with partial or complete blindness, as well as those with visual impairments that can be corrected.
It is also estimated that over 466 million people globally hav hearing loss, with around 34 million of these being children. This includes individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing and may require captioning or sign language interpretation to access digital content.
In an increasingly digital world, it is essential that we prioritise inclusion and ensure that everyone, regardless of their abilities, can navigate and engage with digital products.
Accessibility in product design and development
Accessibility in digital products means designing and developing websites in a way that ensures people with disabilities can access and use them effectively. It involves creating online content and user interfaces that are inclusive and enabling individuals with various abilities to navigate, perceive, and interact with websites.
“Inclusion happens when every single person can access and use your digital products and services.” – Whitney Quesenbery
In practical terms, web accessibility includes implementing features and practices that consider the diverse needs of users with disabilities. This may involve:
- Adding descriptive text that can be read by screen readers helps visually impaired users understand the content of images.
- Structuring content with headings and subheadings in a logical order allows users to navigate easily and understand the organization of the information.
- Designing websites so that all functionality can be accessed and operated using a keyboard is crucial for individuals who cannot use a mouse or other pointing devices.
- Including captions for videos and transcripts for audio content allows deaf or hard-of-hearing users to access the information.
- Choosing colors with sufficient contrast between foreground and background elements helps users with visual impairments read and understand the content.
- Creating websites that adapt to different screen sizes and devices ensures accessibility for users who may rely on assistive technologies or have visual impairments.
Web accessibility means removing barriers and making websites usable for everyone, regardless of their abilities. It is about equal access to information, services, and opportunities online, promoting inclusivity and ensuring that individuals with disabilities can participate fully in the digital world.
“Accessibility is not a feature, it’s an attitude.” – Steve Jobs
Accessibility checklist – An excellent checklist is provided by Intopia which helps to make sure that nothing important is missed out. https://not-checklist.intopia.digital/
Examples of products following WCAG
Microsoft.com – Microsoft has made efforts to ensure accessibility on their website, with features like alt text for images, clear navigation, and proper heading structure. They also provide keyboard accessibility and have considered color contrast for better readability.
‘Be My Eyes’ – Be My Eyes is a mobile app that connects blind or visually impaired individuals with sighted volunteers through video calls. The app has been designed with accessibility in mind, providing clear instructions, voice-over support, and high contrast options for users with low vision.
“The only disability is when people cannot see human potential.”―
Debra Ruh
Examples of products not following WCAG
A local restaurant website with images of their menu items but no alternative text or descriptions for those images. This makes it difficult for users who are visually impaired to understand the menu offerings.
A banking app that has small touch targets for buttons and links, making it challenging for users with motor disabilities to accurately tap on the desired elements. It also lacks proper heading structure, making it harder for screen reader users to navigate the app efficiently.
The degree to which an app follows WCAG guidelines depends on the efforts made by the developers and the organization behind the product. Regular updates and improvements are crucial for enhancing accessibility and ensuring a positive user experience for individuals with disabilities.
