3 W’s of Digital Accessibility: Who, What, & Why

Creating a More Accessible and Inclusive World

Every web user deserves to have equitable access to free information. At VerbalEyes, we are driven by our commitment to creating accessible and inclusive technology and sparking conversations about inclusive digital design. Accessibility means so much more than just a compliance check mark — accessibility is at the core of our operations in producing innovative technology for social good.

What is digital accessibility?

Digital accessibility is the practice of making digital tools like websites and mobile apps easier to navigate and use. Accessibility often focuses on designing for people with disabilities, but by providing all users with intuitive interfaces and inclusive designs, we are developing a more accessible world for everyone.

Who does digital accessibility apply to?

People with Disabilities

Globally, there are at least 1 billion people who experience some form of disability. Common disabilities include visual, hearing, motor, or cognitive impairments. A 2020 analysis study conducted by WebAIM found that across one million home pages, users with disabilities would expect to encounter noticeable errors on 1 in every 17 home page elements. If your web platform is not accessible, then you are missing out on engaging with users with disabilities, and people with disabilities are missing out on you! Additionally, digital accessibility can include people with changing abilities due to age and temporary conditions due to accidents or illness.

All Users

Beyond communities with disabilities, ensuring that your digital platform is accessible can result in a better online experience for all 4.66 billion internet users worldwide. Did you know that audio description can make videos more accessible not only to people who are blind or visually impaired, but also those who prefer clarification when the visuals are confusing or unclear? Audio description can also benefit those who prefer to rest their eyes while still listening to videos!

Why should digital accessibility be prioritized?

1. To build a more equitable world. The social model of disability recognizes how both physical and mental societal barriers make life more challenging for people with disabilities. It is our responsibility to break down these barriers and build accessible and inclusive technology. By ensuring an accessible web experience for everyone, we can empower people to navigate the internet and access vital services with more independence, choice, and control. Prior to the pandemic, a few companies began prioritizing online accessibility, albeit at a very slow pace. Now, there is an increased reliance on digital services for shopping, remote work, entertainment, healthcare, education, banking, and daily chores. Among other trends, telecommunications and e-commerce are emerging in many international companies. Even after the pandemic ends, digital accessibility will be critical to ensuring inclusion and access.

2. To ensure a broad reach. Having accessibility as a foundational building block for an online platform sends a powerful message that a company is committed to engaging with people from all walks of life. This also reflects positively in terms of personal character or brand image. Businesses should prioritize digital accessibility to make sure they are reaching both their target audiences and other online visitors. Including alt-text for images is a great way to not only provide important context for people who are blind or have low vision, but also for search engine bots to crawl and index your images so that a wide range of people can easily find you online! Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) showcases what organizations are doing to improve digital accessibility and inclusion around the world.

3. To follow the law. In the United States, educational institutions, enterprise companies, and media and entertainment companies are required by law to provide audio description. Educational institutions must provide audio description for visually impaired students, enterprise companies must ensure that all of their videos, including employee training videos and public website videos, are accessible to their audience, and major broadcast networks must audio describe 35,000 minutes of their televised content per year, as mandated in 2020. Use the Web Content Accessibility Guideline (WCAG) to check for accessibility and take a step towards greater accessibility in the digital space.