So, you’ve engaged with a web remediation specialist and improved your website’s digital inclusivity. What’s next? To avoid moving backward and introducing new accessibility barriers, your team should attend an accessibility training session. Let’s discuss why digital accessibility and accessibility training are so important and how they can benefit not only your users but also your business.
What is Digital Accessibility?
Digital accessibility refers to making websites, applications, and other digital content usable by everyone, including people with disabilities. A wide range of disabilities may impact user experience, including visual, auditory, physical, speech, cognitive, and neurological disabilities. By ensuring that your digital content is accessible, you’re making it possible for all users to navigate, understand, and interact with your website.
Why Does Web Accessibility Matter?
Inclusivity and Equality
At its core, digital accessibility is about inclusivity and equality. The internet should be a place where everyone can participate, regardless of their abilities. By making your website accessible, you’re promoting equal access to information and services for all users.
Legal Requirements
The United States has legal requirements to ensure websites are accessible. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act are two critical pieces of legislation that mandate accessibility. Failing to comply with these laws can result in legal action, fines, and damage to your reputation.
Business Benefits
Accessible websites can reach a larger audience. According to the World Health Organization, over one billion people, or about 16% of the world’s population, have some form of disability. By making your website accessible, you’re doing the right thing and tapping into a significant market. Additionally, accessible websites tend to have better SEO, which can lead to higher search engine rankings and increased traffic.
Enhanced User Experience
Accessibility features often improve everyone’s overall user experience. For example, captions on videos can benefit users in noisy environments, and clear, simple navigation can help users find information more quickly.
What is Accessibility Training?
Although many web platforms strive to build accessibility into their products, it is still essential for anyone who modifies the site to pursue training on how to avoid introducing accessibility barriers. This training covers a wide range of topics, from understanding the needs of people with disabilities to implementing specific accessibility features on a website.
The Importance of Accessibility Training
Understanding User Needs
Accessibility training helps you understand the diverse needs of your users. By learning about the different types of disabilities and how they affect how people interact with digital content, you can create more inclusive websites.
Staying Up-to-Date with Best Practices
The field of digital accessibility is constantly evolving. New technologies and standards are continually being developed to improve accessibility. Accessibility training ensures you stay up-to-date with the latest best practices and guidelines.
Improving Technical Skills
Accessibility training can enhance your technical skills as a developer. You’ll learn to implement accessibility features, such as alt text for images, keyboard navigation, and screen reader compatibility. These skills enhance your website and make you a more versatile and valuable developer.
Avoiding Legal Issues
As mentioned earlier, there are legal requirements for web accessibility. Accessibility training helps you understand these laws and helps avoid frivolous lawsuits. Being proactive can help you avoid legal issues, associated costs, and reputational damage.
Critical Components of Accessibility Training
Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)
The WCAG is a set of guidelines developed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) to ensure accessible web content to people with disabilities. Accessibility training covers these guidelines, including the four principles of accessibility: Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, and Robust (POUR).
Assistive Technologies
Training includes information on various assistive technologies, such as screen readers, braille displays, and speech recognition software. Understanding how these technologies work is crucial for creating accessible content.
Practical Implementation
Accessibility training provides practical, hands-on experience with implementing accessibility features. Common concepts include writing accessible code, providing text alternatives for graphical content, and testing your website for accessibility.
User Testing
User testing is an essential part of accessibility training. You’ll learn how to conduct accessibility audits and usability testing with people with disabilities. Through user testing, you can identify any accessibility issues and proactively remove accessibility barriers.
How to Get Started with Accessibility Training
Online Courses
216digital includes accessibility training in every web remediation project. When we evaluate your website, we have an excellent opportunity to understand your team’s specific processes and can develop tailored training that is highly targeted and easy to follow.
Professional Certifications
Earning a professional certification in accessibility can enhance your skills and credibility. Certifications such as the Certified Professional in Accessibility Core Competencies (CPACC) and the Web Accessibility Specialist (WAS) from the International Association of Accessibility Professionals (IAAP) are recognized in the industry.
Join Accessibility Communities
Joining accessibility communities can provide support and resources as you learn about digital accessibility. Websites like WebAIM (Web Accessibility In Mind) and the W3C Web Accessibility Initiative offer forums, articles, and guidelines to help you stay informed.
Hands-On Practice
The best way to learn about accessibility is through hands-on practice. Start by conducting an accessibility audit of your website and implementing the necessary changes. Use tools like the WAVE (Web Accessibility Evaluation Tool) and Google Lighthouse to test your website and identify areas for improvement.
Conclusion
Digital accessibility is not just a legal requirement but a moral obligation. By making your website accessible, you’re ensuring that everyone can access and interact with your content regardless of their abilities. Accessibility training is crucial in this process, providing you with the knowledge and skills to create inclusive digital experiences.
Investing in accessibility training benefits your users, your business, and society. It enhances the user experience, expands your audience, and helps you avoid costly litigation. As website owners, developers, and content creators, it’s our responsibility to make the web a more accessible place for everyone.
So, take the first step today. 216digital has accessibility experts on deck, ready to help with all your accessibility needs. Your users will thank you, and you’ll be contributing to a more inclusive digital world.