Accessibility means generating sources, information, activities, and easy usage software for people having disabilities or shortcomings. Web accessibility means people with shortcomings should have access to the Internet and its services with the help of special programs and software. Disabled people’s interaction with the web can be a part of the contribution to the system. Accessibility enables them to understand, surf, and interact with a Website Design on the World Wide Web. It is also beneficial for people with short-term conditions like an injury to the hand or arm or a conditional hindrance like aging, mental condition, or even slow Internet.
Knowing about the need for Web Accessibility
All the information is available on the Internet. We can access all the educational information, employment opportunities, government policies and information, commercial databases, healthcare facilities and information, recreation options, and much more on the web. These services and opportunities should be available to everyone, irrespective of their bodily and mental conditions. Web accessibility will help disabled people to participate actively in all aspects of society.
An accessible website allows business opportunities for people who have disabilities. Some are unable to read a print, and many cannot physically go to a store for shopping. For them, easy web access can be a blessing. It is also by the law in some places to make web design and e-commerce website design accessible to impaired people.
Disabilities For Which Web Accessibility Can Be Beneficial
People can have various types of shortcomings, and some even have a combination of limitations. Like a visual and hearing problem or a speaking and listening disability. Some sensory, physical, and cognitive setbacks in people, either permanent or temporary, can impact the use of the web. As people age, problems increase, like changes in vision, weak memory, hearing difficulty, and functioning of the body. A detail of disabilities is written below.
Blindness
It is a loss of vision in both eyes that is permanent. These people rely on ‘Screen Readers’ and ‘Braille devices’ and need text-based browsers that are easy to hear with readers.
Low vision
It means having blurred vision, tunnel vision, loss of central vision, or cloud vision. These people use ‘large computer screens’, increase the size of fonts and visuals, or use ‘screen magnification’ tools. They can also use fonts and backgrounds suitable to see the texts correctly.
Color blindness
It is a lack of receptivity to colors, like seeing gray instead of red and green or yellow and blue. Sometimes, an individual is not able to observe any color. So, these people use the colors for fonts that are visible to them on the screen.
Deafness
With this problem, one cannot hear from both ears, and it is a permanent problem. They use sign language and rely on visuals, as they also have a problem reading the text. The ones who can read will rely upon ‘captions’ in a video for understanding.
Hard of Hearing
An individual with less to moderate hearing can understand an audio in a loud volume. They also rely on ‘captions’ for the videos.
Motor disabilities
Muscular limitation, uncontrolled movements, paralysis, low sensation receptivity, joint problems, missing limbs, etc., are called motor disabilities. They use ‘special input devices’ that feel easy to access and take time to complete their tasks.
Speech disabilities
A person who cannot speak properly can have no voice recognition. They rely on texts and ‘captions’.
Neurological Disabilities
Some individuals have learning disabilities, difficulty in understanding complex items, short and long-term memory loss, psychiatric disabilities, seizures, etc. ‘Special input devices’ and ‘relevant software’ are used to make things easy for them.
Technologies to Make a Web Design Accessible
Using these technologies can make E-commerce website designs accessible.
- On-screen keyboards
- Braille software
- Screen magnifiers
- Screen reader
- Audio notifications
- Software for scanning
- Voice recognition
Importance of Accessibility in Web Design
It is a good business practice to incorporate accessibility while designing websites. It ensures that individuals, including people with special needs, can use the web pages. It is also a legal practice nowadays. Let us discuss this in detail about the need for accessibility.
The ranking in the search engine increases
With good accessibility, the users can find your site compatible with their needs and abilities. As Google uses an accessibility ranking factor in the search results, It will help in improving the search engine classification because the users are more likely to find your website catering to their needs.
Increase of Traffic
An accessible website attracts potential customers who can use your web pages. It increases conversions and traffic because more people will find and interact with your online business.
Improvement of User Experience
The accessibility will increase all over user experience and not only for the people with disabilities. It is beneficial for specially-abled people, though, like high-contrast colors and easy-to-read letters. People using readers will benefit from a compatible website and have a great user experience.
Required by Law
In many countries, the owners of the websites are by law to make websites with disabled-friendly accessibility. On failing, there will be legal action against them.
Conclusion
It is more of a moral obligation to build disabled-friendly and accessible websites with a benefit-of-all and harm-to-none approach. Before designing a project, the inclusion of web accessibility should be kept in mind. We at THE DIGITAL DEPARTMENT are one of the leading web designers creating web applications and Web Design in Ireland with over 20 years of expertise. Contact us for a digital manifestation of your vision.
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