What Is Accessibility and Why It's Important?

Let’s talk about INTERNET. It is a crucial part of our daily lives, serving as a gateway to information, communication, and opportunities in our interconnected world.

However, it's important to understand that not everyone experiences the Internet in the same way. Users have diverse needs, preferences, and abilities, and it's critical to accommodate this variety to ensure that our content is accessible to all.

What exactly does accessibility stand for? 

Accessibility is about creating an inclusive and easy-to-navigate environment for everyone, regardless of their abilities. This involves the removal of barriers. Prioritizing accessibility makes digital platforms more user-friendly, enabling people with disabilities to actively engage in everyday activities. 

The goal is to provide an accessible internet for all, facilitating access to information, communication, and online activities, including e-commerce. By following accessibility principles, we are creating a more inclusive and equitable online experience.

Please remember, that access itself is not the only thing that matters

Web accessibility ensures everyone can fully use websites. It's not just about accessing content, but also about making it understandable and user-friendly.

Just to make things a bit clearer, let me give you an example:

Color-blind or visually impaired users may struggle with instructions to click a green icon. While assistive technologies like screen readers can describe an icon's function, they can't identify colors. Therefore, effective website design must consider these factors, enabling all users to interact efficiently and effectively.

Join me for a tour of the library

If you're just starting to explore accessibility, understanding it fully might be challenging, and that's okay. Let me help clarify this with a library analogy. Just follow along with an open mind as I explain the concept.

• ELEVATOR: Just as an elevator provides access to different floors of a library for those who can't use stairs, accessible design features like skip links and keyboard navigation provide alternative ways to navigate a website for users who may have difficulty using a mouse or different pointing device.
• WELL-ORGANIZED SHELVES: Just as books are logically placed on well-organized shelves, making it easy for anyone to find what they're looking for, website content should also be organized. Using headings, and consistent navigation supports all users, including those who rely on assistive technologies, to locate the information they need.
• BRAILLE SIGNS: Picture Braille signs in a library that provides information to visually impaired visitors. Similarly, providing descriptive alt text for images on a website allows screen reader users to understand visual content.
• QUIET STUDY AREA: Libraries often have designated quiet study areas where people can focus without distractions. A website should also be free from unnecessary distractions like auto-playing or flashing content. This helps users with cognitive disabilities or sensory sensitivities, allowing them to focus on the content.

Are we ignoring the needs of 1.3 billion people?

Let me share some data from the WHO website. According to their statistics, approximately 1.3 billion people experience significant disability. This represents 16% of the global population, which equates to one in every six people.

Situational and temporary disabilities

It's important to realize that accessibility solutions aren't only for those with permanent disabilities. Temporary or situational circumstances can also require accessible alternatives on a website. Let's once again dive into some examples.

• Imagine your client is a person traveling on a crowded tram while simultaneously using your website. Unfortunately, he cannot hear the audio recording on the site, but fortunately, the video is equipped with subtitles, allowing the user to still understand the presented content.
• Your client has broken his arm and is unable to use a mouse. If a keyboard cannot navigate your website, the client may consider quitting your service because you have prevented him from interacting with your website.
• Users with limited vision - poor contrast, font choices, and non-responsive elements when zooming in/out on the page can make the site less user-friendly, possibly discouraging potential customers from exploring further.

Now, consider this: if your website isn't accessible, how many people might struggle to navigate it or interact with it effectively?

This potential lack of accessibility not only poses an issue in terms of inclusivity but could also limit the reach and impact of your content, reduce site traffic, and slow business growth. Therefore, it's crucial to ensure your website is accessible to everyone, including those with disabilities.

Reasons to include accessibility in your plans

Since you have reached the end of this article, I’m sure the above examples have highlighted the importance of accessibility for your website. Let's summarize them.

Moral reasons

Inclusivity for all. As we want to ensure that all users can access websites equally, we are responsible for delivering all the necessary available features to make this possible.

Business reasons

• Reaching a Wider Audience. Accessibility features not only enhance the user experience for those with disabilities, but they also offer valuable options for users without disabilities. These features can be beneficial in temporary or situational circumstances. An accessible website can reach a wider audience.
• Enhancing User Experience. Implementing accessibility solutions benefits all users. High color contrast, clear language, an organized site structure, non-flashing content, and non-auto-updating content - this all improves the overall user experience by making the content more usable and user-friendly.
• Boosting SEO and Search Rankings. Enabling a wider user audience to access your website and user-friendly approach boosts repeat visits and stimulates a positive user experience. Additionally, by implementing good practices, you make it easier for users to find your service. Making a website accessible improves SEO, and the site is more likely to be ranked higher.

Legal reasons

In June 2025, the European Accessibility Act will come into force. The Act is also known as Directive 2019/882 and says that some everyday products and services need to be usable for people with disabilities. This covers, for example, websites and e-commerce platforms. Companies that sell these products and services have to carefully check the laws and rules in their own countries that bring the European Accessibility Act into effect.

Why invest in accessibility – summary

An accessible service is easy to use for everyone, no matter if they have limitations. Making sure everything is accessible means we're creating something that's even better for all. Isn't that fantastic?

Think big, and go accessible ;)