Web Accessibility is Important to Every Nonprofit Organization or Business

Simply put, web accessibility is websites, tools, and technologies that are designed and developed for people with disabilities. According to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), any business that is public-facing is required to adhere to accessibility standards and guidelines. While the law was originally enacted to focus on obstacles at physical locations, increased usage of the digital world makes these laws applicable to websites as well.

While these laws are set in place to ensure that those with disabilities have the same rights as the non-disabled, many websites have not equipped themselves properly to be accessible for all. Failure to do this can lead to legal issues that are both pricey and time-consuming. Avoiding this is key, but how do you know if your website is fully accessible?

3 Ways to Begin Assessing Your Website’s Accessibility

Following the rules of accessibility can feel overwhelming when looking at them individually. To make it simple, AMS Digital has narrowed down three main ways you can assess whether or not your website is in need of accessibility changes.

1. Consider the Senses. Sites that are accessible present information by using multiple sensory channels such as sound and sight. Supplementing this, they allow for additional means of online navigation and interactivity beyond the use of typical ‘point and click’ methods via options for keyboard-based control and voice-based navigation. It is with this combination of multisensory approaches that websites can be accessible for all.

Consider the senses by asking yourself:

• Can the hearing impaired interact with my site as someone without impairment?

• Are there options for those with physical disabilities to navigate through my website?

• Is there a way to assist those with cognitive disabilities in focusing and interacting with my content?

• Are those prone to seizures safe while visiting my website?

• Will others with sight difficulties be able to read my information?

While these are just a few senses and disabilities, considering everyone when evaluating the accessibility of your website is a necessary first step.

2. Use this simple technique to POUR over your website.  An easy way to determine your web accessibility is by using this handy acronym which stands for:

Perceivable. All users, including those with impaired vision, should be able to see, read, and perceive your website.

Operable. Websites should be responsive, operable, and easy to navigate for all users across multiple browsers, platforms, and devices.

Understandable. The organization of a website should be done in a way that is easy to use, while using language that most customers can understand.

Robust. Tools like assistive technology (AT) should be integrated so that users with disabilities of all variations can easily use your website. Adding AT will help to make your site robust and accessible for all users.

3. Think beyond ‘disabilities.’ Making your website accessible benefits more people than you would think. Some examples are:

• Those using mobile phones, smart watches, smart TVs, and other devices with small screens or different input modes.

• Older individuals whose abilities are changing due to their age.

• People with temporary disabilities, like those with broken arms or missing glasses.

• Those with situational limitations, for example, someone accessing your site under bright sunlight or while in an environment where they are unable to listen to audio.

• Anyone with a slow internet connection or who may have limited/expensive bandwidth.

Web accessibility affects millions of people every day who have disabilities of all variations. The best way to reach the entirety of your audience is through the implementation of AT software to your website.

An Easy Step to Improve Website Accessibility 

If you are worried about how to make your website more accessible, AMS Digital has found the perfect solution!

By adding a program that can be accessed from any page of your website, AMS has the capabilities to help you reach every person that lands on your site. Showing up as a small icon at the base of the screen, users can click on it and adjust settings according to their specific needs.

Offering not only individual options like the adjustment of font sizing, content scaling, contrast, and colors, this program also includes ‘Accessibility Profiles.’ These profiles allow for individuals to apply multiple settings at once according to their disabilities such as the Seizure Safe profile, ADHD Friendly profile, Visually Impaired profile, Cognitive Disability profile, and many more.

How Better Web Accessibility Benefits You

While many reasons to update your website’s accessibility may seem obvious, there are further benefits that are worth noting. By increasing accessibility, not only are you avoiding potential lawsuits, website re-designs, and other costly fixes, but you are also reaching more people than ever before. In fact, case studies have shown that accessible websites show up higher in search results as search engines are more likely to rank user-friendly sites higher. In addition, they also experience reduced maintenance costs, and have an increased audience reach.

Take your website to the next level by adding this one-of-a-kind assistive technology plugin, available through AMS Digital. You can have a website that will truly be accessible to all.

AMS Digital specializes in website design, video productions, and other digital services for organizations looking at widening their online presence. You can learn more about us here:  

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