The Importance of Web Accessibility for Everyone

One of the primary reasons for the importance of website accessibility lies in the escalating number of people with disabilities. According to the World Health Organization and the CDC, 16% of the global population, and 26% of the population in the United States, are disabled. That's over 1 billion individuals worldwide and approximately 86 million people in the U.S. who may encounter difficulty accessing websites that are not designed with accessibility in mind. These disabilities can be physical, sensory, cognitive, or intellectual. Given this substantial portion of the population affected by disabilities, websites must be designed inclusively, ensuring accessibility for all users.

Why is Web Accessibility Important?

Web accessibility isn't just limited to individuals who are blind or deaf, which is a common misconception. In reality, disabilities affect approximately 1 billion people worldwide. Additionally, people with disabilities use a variety of methods to access the internet. Some rely on a mouse and keyboard, while others navigate solely with a keyboard. Vision-impaired individuals may utilize assistive technologies such as screen readers and screen magnifiers, while those with mobility conditions might use head pointers, trackballs, or eye-tracking systems to control their web browsers.

Web accessibility represents not just ethics, but also a practical business strategy and a legal duty. From an economic standpoint, disregarding the disabled community means disregarding millions of potential customers who have billions in purchasing power. In the United States alone, the assistive-technology Internet users' purchasing power exceeds $350 billion. Taking into account the size of this community across the Americas, Europe, and other regions, it becomes evident that neglecting this demographic would be a mistake.

In various locations, there are laws in place to protect web accessibility. In the U.S., the Workforce Rehabilitation Act of 1973 mandates that all electronic and information technology utilized by the federal government must be accessible to people with disabilities. Furthermore, the Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act specifies that advanced communication services and products should be accessible to individuals with disabilities.

While many European countries have their own national legislation outlining  web accessibility protections, the European Union also safeguards digital accessibility under the European Charter of Fundamental Rights. Therefore, meeting the requirement for web accessibility is of utmost importance for all.

Does Geo Blocking Content Make a Sense?

Using geo-blocking offers several advantages, one of which involves honoring agreements with business partners. For instance, when it comes to streaming services, content creators often have agreements with other networks to broadcast their content in specific regions worldwide. To fulfill these agreements, content creators frequently block visitors from certain countries.

Another example is the BBC and its streaming service, the BBC iPlayer. The content on this platform is geo-blocked to cater exclusively to UK audiences, as it is funded with taxpayer money. Geo-blocking simplifies the process of adhering to legal obligations for businesses.

Overall, geoblocking content does more harm to a website than it does any benefit. Manually reducing the availability of a website is undesirable, especially since users can bypass such restrictions. All you need is a VPN service like VeePN to change your region. However, not everyone will want to do this, so the coverage will be reduced in any case.

How to Improve Website Accessibility?

To make sure a website is accessible, I recommend companies incorporate accessibility features such as alternative text for images, video captioning, and keyboard navigation. Regular testing and evaluations should be conducted to identify and address any accessibility barriers caused by website updates.

The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) developed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) offer standards for web developers and designers to follow when creating accessible websites. These guidelines emphasize four key principles: permeability, operability, understandability, and robustness. They aim to ensure that websites are accessible to all users, regardless of their abilities or disabilities.

To adhere to these principles, users should be able to perceive the information presented, operate the interface easily, understand the information and user interface, and access the content as technologies advance. Ensure users can pause or stop content that may trigger seizures and use clear language to aid comprehension. Additionally, make information easy to find and consider using technologies supported by assistive technologies.

Ways to Improve Website Accessibility

The following approaches can improve website accessibility for different segments of the population:

• Equitable Use: People with diverse abilities find the design useful and marketable.
• Flexibility in Use: The design accommodates individual preferences and abilities across a wide range.
• Simple and Intuitive Use: The design is easy to understand, regardless of the user's experience, knowledge, language skills, or current level of concentration.
• Perceptible Information: The design effectively communicates necessary information to the user, regardless of ambient conditions or the user's sensory abilities.
• Tolerance for Error: The design minimizes hazards and the adverse consequences of accidental or unintended actions.
• Low Physical Effort: Users can operate the design efficiently, comfortably, and with minimal fatigue.
• Approach and Use: The design provides appropriate size and space for approach, reach, manipulation, and use, regardless of the user's body size, posture, or mobility.

Conclusion

Having a website accessible to everyone, everywhere benefits everyone. Those who have limited ability to read or otherwise perceive information will be grateful and express it by constantly visiting the web resource. Site administrators receive advertising fees. There is virtually no reason to delay or ignore implementing such tactics.