You may already be familiar with ‘web accessibility’, and if not, you can probably guess it relates to accessing the web – no prizes there! But do you know the ins and outs of what the term 'web accessibility’ actually covers? In this article, we’ll take an in-depth look at what is web accessibility and how it’s defined by Web Content Accessibility Guidelines.
Web accessibility: the basics
Web accessibility is about making online services, tools, technology, and resources accessible to everyone.
This means anyone using a website should be able to acquire the same information – and enjoy the same level of interaction – regardless of potential barriers posed by their individual circumstances.
They should also be able to contribute to websites and online resources without restrictions.
As Tim Burners-Lee, inventor of the World Wide Web said: “The power of the Web is in its universality. Access by everyone regardless of disability is an essential aspect.”
This covers a huge and varied range of potential barriers to someone accessing the web. But these barriers can be broken down into three key areas: Permanent, temporary, and situational.
Barriers to web access
Permanent barriers are those most often referred to as disabilities. These include but are not limited to conditions affecting a person’s sight, hearing, speech, mobility, motor functions, and cognitive ability. They may be the result of an accident or illness, the aging process, or a congenital condition that a person was born with.
Temporary barriers are those that restrict a person’s ability to access digital services for a short time only. Examples of these might include a broken arm or light sensitivity following an eye operation.
Situational barriers are those that result from a person’s current situation or location. Examples of these might be the inability to use audio is in a designated quiet space, or a poor internet connection affecting the speed and quality of an online service.
In each of these cases, it’s the website owner's responsibility to ensure their online services are accessible to all by including provisions that overcome these barriers for their users.
Currently, only Public Sector bodies are legally required to meet set accessibility standards for their websites. With more and more businesses taking their services online, however, the need for universal web accessibility is more crucial than ever to provide equal access and opportunities for people with diverse abilities.
Criteria for web accessibility: WCAG and the POUR system
The Government's Accessibility Legislation uses international Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) to help businesses assess the accessibility of their online platforms and ensure they meet the right standards.
These guidelines use the POUR system, which requires digital products to be: Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, and Robust.
Perceivable relates to the way digital information is delivered and ensures all users can have equal access to a platform’s content. It covers things like:
- Providing text alternatives (alt text) for images, and videos.
- Making content distinguishable – separating foreground from background, for example, and not relying on colour to differentiate information.
- Adaptable content that can be presented in various ways without degrading its information or structure. The use of H1, H2, and H3 headings for text is an example of this as screen readers prioritise content based on these headings.
Operable relates to the way a user accesses the platform. It covers things like:
- Ensuring all functions can be carried out by keyboard without the use of a mouse.
- Providing ways to help users navigate content, such as clear menus and buttons.
- Allowing enough time for users to read and use content like video captions with the use of play/pause functions.
Understandable relates to how users digest and interpret information. It covers things like:
- Readability – making sure text is easy to read and makes sense
- Predictability – making sure the platform is presented and operates in a coherent way
- Providing input assistance – helping users avoid and correct input mistakes in online forms, such as flagging misspelled words, for example
Robust relates to the way content is interpreted by the various devices used to access it. It covers things like:
- Ensuring coding is compatible across a wide range of user devices, including assistive technologies
- Ensuring the platform keeps up with the latest developments in assistive technologies
WCAG A, AA, and AAA
There are three levels of WCAG conformance: A, AA, and AAA.
WCAG A is the most basic level of web accessibility conformance. It ensures a website addresses critical barriers for users with disabilities. Examples of WCAG A conformance are text alternatives for visual content such as images and video and the ability to access and use the website using a keyboard only.
WCAG AA is the minimum recommended level of conformance. This is because it addresses web accessibility issues for users in a much broader range of contexts. To achieve WCAG AA, a website must conform to all 30 WCAG A criteria, plus additional AA level requirements. These include consistent use of navigational elements across the site and good use of H1, H2, and H3 headings to organise information in order of importance.
WCAG AAA meets the highest level of accessibility. To achieve WCAG AAA, a website must meet all 30 A level criteria and all 20 AA criteria, plus additional AAA requirements. These include sign language interpretation and audio description for all pre-recorded video content.
While meeting WCAG AAA standards might be tricky for some businesses and organisations, aiming to reach WCAG AA with as many AAA criteria as possible is what website developers should be aiming for.
Improve your web accessibility
It may seem like a bit of a minefield navigating all the various criteria for web accessibility. The easiest way to ensure your digital platforms are compliant is to let Formation design and build it for you!
Our in-house creatives have experience working with various public sector bodies so they know a thing or two about the development, design, and testing of websites that meet WCAG standards.
From auditing your existing website to uncover any barriers to accessibility to creating bespoke digital products that can be easily accessed and enjoyed by all your potential customers, Formation’s Four-Stage process is a turnkey solution for web accessibility.
Our Four-Stage Process
Foundation
In the foundation process, we lay the blueprint for your business, define your services, and provide a roadmap for continuous development. Our focus on user experience (UX) and intuitive design ensures the services we build overcome potential barriers to web accessibility to perfectly align with the needs of all users.
Digitisation
We work collaboratively to establish and develop your digital presence; whether that involves designing accessible new software to suit your business needs, or the complete accessible digitisation of complex organisations, we deliver accessible digital solutions that drive success.
Implementation
Once the digital presence has been established, our team leads the expansion and marketing of your services. With the help of our skilled photographers, graphic designers, and videographers, we help you to form the wider perception of your brand and services with accessible, inclusive marketing campaigns.
Promotion
This final stage of our turnkey solution includes everything from website design, SEO, PR, graphic design, and social media management. We introduce your transformed services back into world, where they're easily found and accessed by everyone, regardless of the barriers they might be facing.
If you want to ensure your business’ app, website, or software meets with the highest possible web accessibility criteria as specified by Government Accessibility Legislation, contact the team at Formation.
