Elevate Everyone's Experience: Why Your Website Needs to Be Accessible
Introduction: Making Digital Accessibility a Priority
Have you considered how Amazon's Alexa, dark mode, or captions impact your online experience? They're not just cool features but examples of digital accessibility in action. And guess what? Making your website accessible isn't just about helping people with disabilities—it's about making everyone's experience better.
The Numbers Behind Accessibility
Let's talk numbers for a second. Did you know that over 5 billion people are using the internet globally? That's a lot of potential visitors to your website. And guess what else? A good chunk of them might have some form of disability. By making your website accessible, you're not just being nice; you're opening your doors to a massive audience.
Accessibility Beyond Disabilities
Accessibility makes your website easier to use for everyone. Think about it: when you add alt-text to your images or make your text easier to read, you're not just helping people with disabilities; you're making your website more user-friendly for everyone.
Understanding the Impact: Who Benefits?
1. Users with Limited or Low Vision: According to the World Health Organization, about 2.2 billion people globally have vision impairment or blindness. By making your text larger and using high-contrast colors, you're not just helping people with vision problems; you're making your website easier to use for everyone.
2. Users with Cognitive Limitations: Nearly 10% of the world's population has some form of cognitive disability, according to the World Bank. By simplifying your website's navigation and using clear, concise language, you're not just helping people with cognitive difficulties; you're making your website more user-friendly for everyone.
3. Multi-lingual Users: Over half of the world's population is bilingual, and around 43% speak more than one language, according to Ethnologue. By offering language options and easy-to-understand content, you're helping non-native speakers and making your website more accessible to everyone.
4. The Aging Population: According to the United Nations, by 2050, 1 in 6 people will be over 65. As people age, their eyesight, hearing, and motor skills may decline. By making your website more accessible to see, hear, and navigate, you're not just helping older folks; you're making your website more user-friendly for everyone.
5. Users with Temporary Disabilities: Temporary disabilities, such as broken bones or recovering from surgery, can affect anyone at any time. By making your website easier to navigate and use without a mouse, you're not just helping people with temporary disabilities; you're making your website more user-friendly for everyone.
Prioritizing Accessibility for All
So, why should you care about accessibility? By making your website accessible, you're not just helping people with disabilities; you're improving everyone's experience, and that's something we can all get behind.
TL;DR: Prioritizing digital accessibility isn't just about accommodating disabilities—it's about creating a better experience for everyone. By considering the diverse needs of users, you can provide a more user-friendly website that captivates and retains your audience.
If you need help, UsableNet can take the accessibility work off your plate. Our people and platform can help you fully meet WCAG with minimal impact on your resources We become your accessibility team so you can focus on your roadmap. Our managed service is a proven solution for digital accessibility. You can schedule a consultation to learn more.