Web Accessibility for Inclusive User Experience

Enhancing Web Accessibility for Inclusive User Experience.
Why Accessibility Matters.
The surge of the digital world has considerably influenced the use of websites integrating them into everyday activities like shopping, communication, education, and entertainment. This has also impacted the growing importance of web accessibility. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about 16% of the global population lives with some form of disability, which translates to over 1 billion people. For people with disabilities, navigating a website can be extremely challenging and sometimes impossible. It is required to comply with web accessibility standards to ensure that websites are useable by individuals with disabilities. This article will elaborate on accessibility standards for inclusive user experience.

Insight into Web Accessibility and its influence on accessible user experience.
Web accessibility is the act of structuring and constructing websites and web applications in a way they can be accessed by all people including those with disabilities. This consists of people with visual, auditory, motor or cognitive impairments. This is important not only for principled reasons but also to comply with legal standards like Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) and provide an inclusive user experience. Websites that comply with accessible legal standards are in favor of search engines because they are easier to navigate, improving the site’s visibility.

Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)
The web Content Accessibility Guidelines are a set of internationally recognized guidelines developed to improve web accessibility for individuals with disabilities. Created by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), these guidelines provide suggestions for making web content more accessible to people with different disabilities.

The evolution of WCAG:
WCAG 1.0: Published in May 1999, this was the first version of the guidelines, establishing foundational principles for web accessibility. It focused primarily on HTML and was designed to address accessibility issues in the early web environment.
WCAG 2.0: Released in December 2008, this version provided a more comprehensive framework for accessibility, applicable to a wider range of web technologies beyond just HTML. It introduced the four key principles (Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, Robust ) and established three levels of conformance (A, AA, AAA).
WCAG 2.1: Published in June 2018, this update expanded upon WCAG 2.0 to include additional criteria addressing mobile accessibility, users with cognitive and learning disabilities, and individuals with low vision. It maintained compatibility with WCAG 2.0.
Future Updates: Ongoing work is being done to develop WCAG 2.2 and beyond, which aim to refine the guidelines to better address the evolving landscape of web technologies and user needs.

The four principles of WCAG (POUR):
The WCAG 2.1 (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) are organize around four principles:
Perceivable: Information and user interface components must be presented in ways that users can perceive (e.g., providing alt text for images).
Operable: Users must be able to operate the interface (e.g., the website should be navigable via keyboard).
Understandable: Users must be able to understand the content and interface (e.g., clear instructions, error messages).
Robust: Content must be robust enough to be understood by a diverse array of user agents, including assistive technologies.
The three levels of conformance of WCAG:
The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines are the main standards to follow. They are organized into three levels of conformance:
A: The lowest level of accessibility. This covers essential functionalities.
AA: The second level of accessibility , focuses on the biggest and most common obstacles for users with disabilities. Most legal standards (like ADA) aim for AA compliance.
AAA: The highest level of accessibility, for maximum inclusion. This is typically optional and not required by law.

Some important WCAG 2.1 guidelines:
Text Alternatives: Provide alt text for non-text content like images, charts, or buttons.
Time-based Media: Provide captions and/or transcripts for audio and video content.
Keyboard Accessible: Make sure all functionality is available from a keyboard.
Navigable: Provide clear and consistent navigation options (e.g., "skip to content" link, breadcrumbs).
Input Assistance: Help users prevent mistakes (e.g., error suggestions).
Adaptable: Ensure content can be presented in different ways without losing information or structure (e.g., reflowable text).
Readable: Make documents readable and comprehensible (e.g., using plain language, explaining abbreviations).

Accessibility Tools and Testing
Accessibility tools and testing are essential for ensuring that websites and applications are usable by people with disabilities. Automated tools, such as WAVE, Axe, and Google Lighthouse, scan websites for common issues like missing alt text, poor color contrast, or incorrect heading structures. However, automated tests alone are not enough, so manual testing is also crucial. This involves tasks like navigating the site with a keyboard or using screen readers (e.g., JAWS or VoiceOver) to check how the content is presented. User testing, where individuals with disabilities provide feedback while using assistive technologies, offers valuable insights that both automated and manual tests may miss. By combining these methods, developers can create a more inclusive and accessible web experience.
Automated Tools
WAVE: Web Accessibility Evaluation Tool that checks for WCAG issues.
Axe: Chrome extension that runs accessibility audits.
Lighthouse: A Google tool for evaluating accessibility and performance.

Screen Readers
JAWS (Windows): One of the most widely used screen readers.
NVDA (Windows): Free and open-source screen reader.
VoiceOver (Mac/iOS): Built-in screen reader for Apple devices.

Manual Testing
Keyboard Navigation: Ensure the site can be navigated without a mouse.
Color Contrast Checker: Test whether the text stands out from its background.
Zoom: Check if the content remains readable when zoomed in (200%+).

Accessibility Audits
Regularly perform audits to ensure compliance with the WCAG and local laws. Tools like Deque's Axe, Tenon, or Pally can help.
Legal requirements and policies
Various countries and regions have laws that require websites to be accessible:
Unites states: The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and section 508 of the rehabilitation act are key pieces of legislation. More details on ADA's web compliance rules and section 508 of the rehabilitation act can be found on https://www.ada.gov and https://www.section508.gov respectively.
European Union: The Web Accessibility Directive applies to public sector websites and mobile apps .
Canada: The Accessible Canada Act applies to federally regulated organisations .
United Kingdom: The equality act 2010 and Public Sector Bodies Accessibility Regulations enforcement accessibility.

Web accessibility is a crucial aspect of modern web design and development. By following standards like WCAG 2.1, using assistive technologies, and conducting regular audits, you can ensure your site is accessible to everyone. Not only does this enhance user experience, but it also ensures legal compliance and improves SEO. It’s an ongoing process, so staying updated with best practices and regulations is essential.