There’s a big movement toward inclusivity, and a simple solution.
Website accessibility lawsuits filed in federal courts jumped 14% in 2021, well over the 12% increase seen in 2020.
Likely you have a website. Most definitely you need a website. What does the mounting risk of litigation mean for your brand?
Some may view internet accessibility guidelines as a thick, sticky layer of red tape – another set of mandates to manage to avoid legal woes.
We see it as much more than that.
Website accessibility represents a greater cultural shift towards inclusivity.
We’re happy to say that web development best practice at NK now includes accessiBe. We love how accessiBe adds customizable WCAG & ADA compliance to websites while keeping the intended UX/UI intact. It’s unobtrusive, it gives the user full control, and it works.
Accessibility isn’t a singular thing.
Accessibility helps people with limited:
Vision
Blindness, Color Blindness, and Low Vision
Motor Function
Paralysis Caused by Injury, Congenital Conditions, and Tremors
Hearing
Deafness and Other Hearing Impairments
Cognition
Conditions Affecting Memory, Attention, or the Interpretation of Information
The official Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) is known internationally as the industry gold standard. It uses four principles to define accessibility. Within each area are multiple criteria with various success criteria used to measure compliance.
Perceivable
- Provide text alternatives for any non-text content so that it can be changed into other forms people need, such as large print, braille, speech, symbols or simpler language.
- Provide alternatives for time-based media.
- Create content that can be presented in different ways (for example simpler layout) without losing information or structure.
- Make it easier for users to see and hear content including separating foreground from background.
Operable
- Make all functionality available from a keyboard.
- Provide users enough time to read and use content.
- Do not design content in a way that is known to cause seizures.
- Provide ways to help users navigate, find content, and determine where they are.
Understandable
- Make text content readable and understandable.
- Make Web pages appear and operate in predictable ways.
- Help users avoid and correct mistakes.
Robust
- Maximize compatibility with current and future user agents, including assistive technologies.
Why a tailored approach matters.
You’re probably thinking … that’s a long list. And you’re right. While certain web design and development principals for inclusivity always apply (ask us about them!), it’s nearly impossible for a single UX/UI to meet the myriad needs of all visitors.
Luckily, it doesn’t have to.
accessiBe tucks a complete set of accessibility adaptations within a single popup menu.
It’s another powerful player in our suite of best practices.
Take it for a spin, use it as a prompt to discuss your organization’s accessibility goals with legal, and let us know what you think.
