What Is Web Accessibility and Why Is It Important?

Why is accessibility vital for your website, and how does it impact your business’s bottom line?

First, let's define web accessibility. It refers to the removal of barriers that might prevent a user from navigating and interacting with your website effectively. To make a website accessible means ensuring that everyone, regardless of their abilities, can engage with your site's content and functionality.

This encompasses users with disabilities such as:

  • Mobility impairment
  • Color blindness
  • Blindness or low vision
  • Deafness or hearing impairment
  • Cognitive disabilities

Why You Should Care

Ensuring that users with disabilities can navigate your site affects your revenue.

While you might assume that users with disabilities are a minority in the online world, they represent a significant portion of the web's user base. The World Health Organization reports that there are 285 million visually impaired people globally, of which 39 million are blind and 246 million have low vision. By neglecting accessibility, you risk missing out on these potential customers. Many of these individuals use screen reading software to vocalize web page content. Without accessibility considerations, navigating your site becomes a challenge for them.

An inaccessible site could lead to legal consequences.

Loss of potential customers isn't the only cost. The frequency of accessibility-related lawsuits is on the rise. For instance, in 2008, Target faced a lawsuit due to the inaccessibility of their website. They agreed to pay $6 million in damages. Furthermore, they were mandated to enhance their website's accessibility, with the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) supervising and verifying the improvements. A lawsuit of this nature can be a significant setback for any business.

Accessibility is ethically correct.

Making your website accessible to everyone is the right thing to do. Everyone should be granted equal access to the educational, rewarding, and joyous experiences offered by the World Wide Web. Limiting this incredible communication tool's access is simply unjust. For some individuals with disabilities, having this access can be transformative, emphasizing the importance of universally accessible websites.

Keen on improving web accessibility? Here's a start.

If you're new to the concept of Web Accessibility, explore the Top 10 Accessibility Checks. It provides a foundational understanding and guides you through the steps to ensure your site adheres to common accessibility standards. For regular tips and tutorials, don't forget to peruse our articles section.