Creating Accessible Websites for Inclusive User Experience
As a multimedia and web development specialist, I firmly believe that accessibility isn't just a "nice-to-have"—it's fundamental. Ensuring that websites are accessible to everyone, regardless of their abilities, is the right thing to do ethically and makes good business sense. We often think of accessibility in terms of ramps and elevators. Still, in the digital world, accessibility is about making sure websites, apps, and other online platforms are usable by everyone, including those with visual, auditory, motor, and cognitive disabilities.
The World Health Organization estimates that over 1 billion people, or about 15% of the global population, live with some form of disability. Think about it: a significant portion of your potential audience could be excluded from engaging with your website if accessibility isn't built in. That's not just a missed moral opportunity but also a missed business opportunity.
Many businesses overlook accessibility, thinking it only impacts a small percentage of users. However, the data shows otherwise. An aging global population means more people will develop disabilities later in life. The United Nations predicts that the number of people over 60 will double by 2050. Inaccessible websites are already disadvantaged, which will only become more pronounced as populations age.
In addition to the moral and demographic imperatives, there's a compelling business case for accessibility. A study by Forrester Research found that accessible websites have a 50% higher chance of driving conversion. Simply put, an accessible site is user-friendly; when users can navigate smoothly and easily, they are more likely to complete purchases or take action. Plus, accessibility improvements, such as faster load times and streamlined navigation, benefit all users, not just those with disabilities.
A real-world example of the consequences of overlooking accessibility is the case of Domino's Pizza. In 2019, Domino's faced a lawsuit because its website and mobile app were inaccessible to a blind customer using screen-reader technology. The U.S. Supreme Court allowed the lawsuit to proceed, underscoring that digital platforms must meet the same accessibility standards as physical spaces. Domino's could have avoided legal trouble and bad press by ensuring its digital platforms were accessible from the start. This case was a wake-up call for many businesses, showing that accessibility isn't just a legal requirement but a customer expectation.
Incorporating accessibility into the web design process from the beginning ensures that everyone can interact with your site seamlessly, regardless of their abilities. For me, this isn't just a technical requirement—it's about creating inclusive, user-friendly experiences. A few best practices I always follow include using semantic HTML to help screen readers navigate content, ensuring sufficient colour contrast for users with visual impairments, providing alt text for images, making sure the website is keyboard navigable, and offering transcripts or captions for multimedia content. These techniques ensure that all users can enjoy a seamless experience, regardless of their abilities.
Accessibility doesn't have to stifle creativity—I believe it can inspire it. Designing for all users encourages out-of-the-box thinking and pushes me to create more intuitive and innovative designs. For example, making a well-designed website for screen readers often results in a cleaner, more organized layout. When you think about it, accessibility aligns with sound design principles: clarity, simplicity, and ease of use.
The statistics back this up. A 2022 WebAIM report found that 97.4% of websites have accessibility errors on their homepage alone, showing how far we still need to go to make the web inclusive. Meanwhile, 71% of users with disabilities will leave a website that's difficult to use, according to the Click-Away Pound Report. The global market for people with disabilities is worth over $1 trillion in disposable income, according to the Return on Disability Group. By making your website accessible, you're tapping into a large and underserved market.
For me, accessibility is not just a requirement; it's a philosophy. Creating websites that everyone can use means opening up your business to a broader audience, fostering inclusivity, and doing your part to make the web a better place for everyone. If you haven't considered accessibility in your digital strategy yet, now's the time. Not only will it help you reach more people, but it will also improve your SEO, user experience, and brand reputation. And let's be honest—it's just the right thing to do.
I'm here to help. Feel free to contact me to discuss your needs and how we can work together to achieve your goals.
References:
World Health Organization – Disability and Health
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/disability-and-healthUnited Nations – World Population Prospects 2019
https://population.un.org/wpp/Forrester Research – The Business Case for Accessibility
https://go.forrester.com/blogs/the-business-case-for-accessibility/Domino's Pizza Case – U.S. Supreme Court Ruling on Web Accessibility
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-49951066WebAIM 2022 Report – Web Accessibility in Mind
https://webaim.org/projects/million/Click-Away Pound Report – The Online Shopping Experience for People with Disabilities
http://www.clickawaypound.comReturn on Disability Group – The Global Economics of Disability
https://www.rod-group.com
