Be more inclusive with WordPress Web Accessibility

Web accessibility means that websites, tools, and technologies are designed and developed so that people with disabilities can use them.

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What web accessibility means

Making sure everyone, including disabled people and those using assistive technologies, can access online information and services.

Web accessibility is about inclusion

Accessible web content is content that has been designed and developed to be easily consumed and interacted with by disabled people.

It supports social inclusion and increases the autonomy, privacy and personal development of disabled people.

It considers things like the different types of devices that disabled people use the range of permanent, temporary and situational impairments and disabilities that people may experience people’s changing abilities due to ageing.

Fundamentally, web accessibility is about designing web content so that it doesn’t present any barriers to disabled people accessing and using it.

A11y

On the web, accessibility is sometimes referred to by the numeronym ‘a11y’, often pronounced ‘A-eleven-Y’ or like the words ‘ally’ or ‘alley’.

The numeral ’11’ replaces the 11 letters between the first letter ‘a’ and the last letter ‘y’ of the word ‘accessibility’.

Who is web accessibility for?

Accessible websites work for people who use different senses.

Be they visual, auditory or tactile — to access information, ensuring that everyone gets the equivalent information, no matter which sense they use.

Accessible websites enable users to navigate and interact with the content using a variety of input modes, such as pointers, keyboards and voice. For these to work, it’s essential that web content has been marked up to be machine readable.

Web accessibility is defined as a human right by the United Nations, which specifically references the rights of all people to have equal access to ‘information and communications technologies and systems’.

Worldwide, an estimated 1.3 billion people — 16% of the world’s population — have a recognised disability.

Benefits of web accessibility for business

From a business perspective, case studies show how digital accessibility:

  • drives innovation
  • reduces maintenance costs
  • increases audience reach
  • improves customer experience and loyalty
  • minimises legal risk.

How we apply Web accessibility to our WordPress websites

The requirements in WCAG are organised under 4 key accessibility principles and aim to ensure that people can perceive, navigate, interact with and understand web content using a variety of tools and technologies.

We aim to meet the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 at Level A, for all our websites. If you do have other requirements, such as you need a web design for a school, then please do get in touch to discuss further.

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Frequently Asked Questions about WordPress Web Accessibility

about WordPress Web Accessibility.

What is web accessibility, what does it mean?

When we talk about web accessibility- whether a website, app or digital product – we are looking to ensure they work for those with a temporary inability, or disability.

More specifically, people can perceive, understand, navigate, and interact with the Web and, or, contribute to the Web.

Why do I need web accessibility for my website?

For those with disabilities, they may have other ways of accessing your website, maybe they only use their keyboard without a mouse.

Perhaps they use software which reads the website using audio, or a device which they blow through a tube.

Web accessibility also benefits people without disabilities, for example, someone using their mobile phone with one hand has a temporary inability.

Using Google Maps to find a shop, voice search would be useful, to search for the name of a shop and receive audio back for the directions, without having to type – so you don’t bump into a pole!

Just like you would provide an access ramp outside of a shop, or hearing aids at the bank counter, we need to cater to those users online, too.

Why should I care about accessibility?

Approx 15-20% of users online have a disability – this could be 15-20% of your target market.

Currently, in the United States, it is a ruling under the American Disability Act (ADA) and website owners have and can be sued for being inaccessible.

Beyonce and Dominoes are some major examples.

In the UK, we have a Disability Act and Human Rights, and currently all public sector websites – think HMRC, NHS – must meet requirements, by law.

Access to information and communications technologies, including the Web, is defined as a basic human right in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD).

Currently, it is under review is this will continue to trickle down to the private sector.

So there is a good need to start now and ensure your website is accessible to your customers and users.

If a user is unable to complete their business or a given task, this may result in loss of reputation for your business, loss of revenue or possible litigation.

What is our Return On Investment (ROI) if we spend on Web Accessibility?

Web / digital accessibility can:

    • Boost business by increasing your share of the market

    • Enhance your brand reputation

    • Drive innovation – you can get funding for innovation!

    • Prevent possible litigation and

    • Set you apart as a leader in your industry.

How can we help?

We can provide an initial audit and provide a document which highlights key areas which could use improvement and the required updates needed to rectify what has been detected.

From the audit we can prioritise areas to improve, addressing any ‘quick wins’ that can quickly gain points with Google on their Core Web Vitals score system.

This can involve changing the code, content or media used on your website. To discuss in more detail please do get in touch.

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