4 Principles for Accessible Digital Services
Accessibility is a human right. In the UK alone, 14.1 million people have a disability, and most of them acquired it as adults. This translates to 21 in every 100 people having some sort of disability [Scope].
In line with similar legislation around the world, the UK government passed the Equality Act in 2010. The 2010 Act includes legislation against disability discrimination. It protects individuals from unfair treatment and gives recommendations against unfair treatment. It protects against discrimination in the workplace; when providing goods, facilities and services; at public functions and premises; in education. And since 2018 this protection extends to websites and mobile applications. The government expects that digital presences such as websites and apps, should be accessible and used by as many people as possible [UK Government].
In their buildings, heritage sites and museums generally have “good” accessibility for disabled people [VocalEyes]. This effort to provide accessibility is publicised and on the whole, visitors are aware of it. Research shows though, that often the good work done to make spaces accessible is not as widely communicated as it could be. There is room for improvement.
What about the organisations’ digital services? What criteria can be used to check whether the organisations’ websites and other digital offerings are accessible to all? Here the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines [WCAG] is a friend. The Accessibility Guidelines provide four main principles to help with accessibility. The principles are:
1/ Perceivable: website users should be able to understand web content using senses such as sight, sound, touch.
2/ Operable: website users should be able to interact and navigate a website when using adaptive devices such as voice recognition and screen readers.
3/ Understandable: as many people as possible should be able to interact and understand the website content.
4/ Robust: web content should work well across browsers and platforms. This should include the use of assistive technologies such as text-to-speech and word prediction.
What other things should you have in mind when planning for digital services’ accessibility? 1/ In implementing these principles it is important that everyone involved in the digital project is included. Otherwise, there is a risk of people accidentally making things inaccessible. 2/ The importance of user research cannot be overstated. Never be afraid to ask disabled people and groups for their feedback and help. Take their advice. Only they know what is best for them. 3/ Try to understand what accessibility means for different people and don’t forget that often there are more than one access problem per individual. And 4/ Don’t forget to include an accessibility statement for the digital service just like for the physical site.
It is important to think of accessibility from the start when designing new digital services or redesigning existing ones. It is important because it will cost less if it is considered right at the start. It will also make sure that everybody is included. And last, be not least, you will not be breaking the law!
Sources
Scope, https://www.scope.org.uk/media/disability-facts-figures/
UK Government, https://www.gov.uk/guidance/accessibility-requirements-for-public-sector-websites-and-apps
Vocal Eyes, http://vocaleyes.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/State-of-Museum-Access-2016-VocalEyes.pdf
WCAG, https://www.w3.org/WAI/WCAG21/quickref/?showtechniques=141%2C221%2C231%2C311#principle4
