Page 26 - SPiCE Magazine (September 2019)

26 The SPiCE Magazine • Technology Features: Rocking it @ 40 The SPiCE Magazine • Technology Features: Rocking it @ 40 27
The Case for Website Accessibility Across all business sectors, there is
By Patricia Morey, Account Executive, Maine, USA a strong case for early adoption of
web accessibility.
Imagine that you want to buy a new shirt from your favorite clothing store. You drive to the store, park your
In the UK, it is estimated that people with disabilities
car, and walk to the entrance. But when you arrive, you are welcomed by a 20-foot high step at the entrance,
and their families spend at least £249 billion every year.
with no assistance to negotiate it. There is no one to advise you, no ladder to climb, and no other point of In the US, the annual discretionary spending of people
entry. Now, let’s turn this into the more common scenario of a person with disability visiting your website, with disabilities is over $200 billion. Globally, the
only to find out he can’t read the content, navigate the pages, fill out forms, and perform other necessary market is estimated at 2.3 billion people, generating
approximately $6.9 trillion in annual disposable income.
functions due to disability.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2018 figures show that 1 in 4 adults (or 61 Additionally, early accessibility adoption provides
significant benefits for the future, including:
million Americans) in the US live with a disability that affects day-to-day activities. Globally, around 10 percent
of the world’s population -or roughly 650 million people – have a disability. Imagine the obstacles you would
• Drive innovation. Including accessibility in your
encounter online if you were sight or hearing-impaired or couldn’t use a mouse due to decreased fine motor technology plan improves overall design for all users,
control or loss of limb. including the non-disabled community, by providing a
more intuitive experience that can be appreciated by
The solution? Web Accessibility.
everyone.
Web accessibility is the practice of ensuring people
• Brand enhancement. Making a commitment to incor-
with disabilities do not encounter barriers that porate accessibility into all aspects of your web pres-
prevent interaction with or access to websites on ence can strengthen your reputation as a progressive,
the web. How does web accessibility affect one’s life? innovative company. Brands like Barclays, Google, and
NPR use innovative accessibility design and have found
According to the World Health Organization, in 2018,
it to be an asset that is well worth the cost.
there were “125 million people aged 80 years or older.
• Increased market. Accessible design can lead to
By 2050, there will be 434 million people in the said
expanded audience reach, a boost in sales, increased
age group worldwide, with 120 million living in China alone”. As the world’s population ages and health concerns
website traffic, and loyalty from an aging population
like vision impairment, dexterity problems, cognitive difficulties, and hearing impairment impact daily lives,
whose disability needs will increase over time.
accessibility will play an increasingly important role.
• Minimizing legal risks. Each country has its own set
According to Pew Research Center, in 2018, 97 percent of adults aged 30 to 49 used the internet. By 2050, this of regulations governing web accessibility. In the US,
figure will increase to 60 to 79. The internet will continue to be an integral part of their lives. It is expected that: lawsuits filed in the federal courts under ADA Title III
have increased significantly. While in the past, most of
• Online interaction will increase, with users being required to access medical, insurance, retirement, and
these have been settled out of court, the recent suit
financial information online. against Winn Dixie went to full trial, where the judge
• With more leisure time available, older adults will access travel and hospitality sites more often to plan trips. concluded that the supermarket chain discriminated
• Increasingly, entertainment and game companies are developing online activities specifically designed for against the plaintiff - a blind man who sued more than
seniors to keep their minds active and engaged. 70 companies - because of its inaccessible website.
• Continued interaction through social media will allow families to stay in touch by sharing news, photgraphs, Around the world, the trend leans toward enacting
regulations that ensure accessibility standards are met.
and information.
How to get started
First, you’ll want to familiarize yourself with the
Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)
2.1, which offers guidelines on how to make web
content accessible to people with visual, auditory,
physical, speech, cognitive, language, learning,
and neurological disabilities. WCAG 2.1 is the
accepted standard around the world.
Next, you should assess your current state, take
corrective action, and create policy to ensure that
future integrations are website-accessible from
the start.
Website and mobile applications: Conduct a
page-by-page analysis to identify violations of
508, ADA and WCAG 2.0 standards, such as color
schemes, page layout, and font size. Take corrective
action to ensure compatibility.
Assistive technology compatibility: Ensure your
content is compatible with tools that people with
disabilities use to access websites and applications
like screen readers, voice browsers, and Braille
display.
Document compatibility: Make supplemental
online documents compliant with the addition
of Alt-Text and video and audio descriptions.
Convert document formats such as PowerPoint,
MS Word files, PDFs, and HTML/EPUB to ensure
compatibility.
Design for the future: Establish technology policies
to ensure that future designs and documents are
created with accessibility at the outset to eliminate
additional costs.
At SPi Global, we are currently working with
companies across multiple industries to ensure
compliance with WCAG 2.0, ADA Section 508, and
EN 301 549 standard requirements. We can assess
your current situation for risks and transform your
online content to be web accessible. Get in touch
to find out more.