In the digital era we live in, the web plays a crucial role in our daily lives. Searching for information, deepening knowledge, acquiring services, and buying products online is part of our daily routine. However, for many people with disabilities, the web experience can be frustrating and limited due to the lack of web accessibility. The digital revolution will only be truly transformative if it is inclusive and accessible to all individuals, regardless of their abilities or limitations.

As website designers and developers, at Softway we firmly believe that web accessibility is more than a technical practice; it is an ethical commitment to online equal opportunities. We are committed to playing a key role in this evolution towards a more egalitarian society.

In this context, this will be the first of several articles where we’ll delve into the topic of accessibility. Let's start with the basics: in this article, we’ll explore what web accessibility is, the benefits of having an accessible website, global guidelines for accessible design, and tools to test your website's accessibility.

What is Web Accessibility?

Web accessibility refers to the inclusive practice of creating websites that can be used by all individuals, including those with visual, auditory, motor, cognitive, and other disabilities. When websites are properly designed, developed, and edited, all users can have equal access to information and functionality.

Promoting equal opportunities for online participation combines programming, design, and technology with content production.

Benefits of Web Accessibility:

Social Inclusion: Making your website accessible means that more people, regardless of their abilities, have access to the resources, information, and services available on it.

Expanded Audience: Web accessibility opens your site to a larger and more diverse audience, potentially increasing its reach and impact. Many accessibility practices also enhance the overall user experience. For example, video captions benefit not only those with hearing impairments but also people who prefer watching videos without sound in public places.

"When speaking of disabilities, the blind and their needs are most often used as an example. It is deceivingly simplistic since accessibility is something most of the population can benefit from. We all benefit when we are tired, in bright sunshine with a mobile, are forced to use a gaming mouse with too-high sensitivity or receive the text version of video clips when we have forgotten our earphones and are in a quiet environment." — Marcus Österberg, Web Strategy for Everyone

Technological Innovation: The pursuit of web accessibility solutions often drives technological innovation, leading to the development of new tools and features that benefit all users.

Improved Usability: Many accessibility practices also enhance the overall user experience, making your site easier to use on a global scale.

“Also note that invariably when we design something that can be used by those with disabilities, we often make it better for everyone.” - Donald Norman

Legal Compliance: In many regions, including the European Union, there are laws that require web accessibility. Non-compliance can result in fines and litigation. Ensuring organizations meet their legal obligations, reflects a commitment to equality and non-discrimination.

Web Accessibility Guidelines:

The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 consist of a set of guidelines and recommendations developed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) to make web content more accessible to a wide range of people, including those with disabilities. They are based on four main principles:

• Perceivable: Ensure that the information and interface components on your site can be perceived by everyone, including those with visual or auditory impairments. This involves providing textual alternatives for images and captions for audiovisual content.
• Operable: Make your site easy to operate by everyone, including those using alternative input devices such as keyboards or screen readers.
• Understandable: Make the content and navigation of your site understandable by everyone, regardless of their cognitive abilities. This may include logically organizing content and simplifying language.
• Robust: Ensure that your site is robust enough to function in various environments and with different assistive technologies.

In addition to WCAG guidelines, the European Union's web accessibility directive requires public sector organizations and certain companies to comply with specific accessibility standards.

Accessibility Testing Tools:

Checking the accessibility of a website is crucial to ensure compliance with accessibility guidelines. Here are some useful tools:

Acessibilidade.gov.pt: An online portal related to web accessibility aimed at providing information and resources about digital accessibility in Portugal.

WAVE: A browser extension that checks the accessibility of a web page and provides detailed feedback.
axe: An accessibility auditing tool that can be used as a browser extension or integrated into other development tools.

Pa11y: A command-line tool that allows for automated accessibility testing on multiple web pages.

Lighthouse: An open-source Google tool for source code auditing that includes accessibility checking as one of its features.

Manual Verification: Last but not least, in addition to automated tools, it is absolutely fundamental to perform manual checks, especially to test usability with assistive technologies such as screen readers.

Beware that automated tools will give you a false sense of confidence. They should be considered as a merely pointer.

In summary, web accessibility is crucial to making the internet truly inclusive and accessible to all. It is not just a set of technical guidelines, but a step towards a world where all individuals, regardless of their abilities, have equal access to information and online opportunities. We believe that as website designers and developers, we have a relevant role in building a more inclusive and equitable future.