Conversions, decency and regulations are but a few reasons why most digital enterprises need to do more when it comes to ensuring their websites and applications are usable by those with hearing, seeing or other physical impairments that make interacting with digital properties difficult.
Often, however, accessibility is but an afterthought in the design and development process. This shouldn't be the case. With litigation against well-known brands like Target, H&R Block and others, Web accessibility lawsuits are certainly on the rise - and, it will get worse (for those not making accessibility considerations) before it gets better. Usablenet CMO Carin van Vuuren explains:
"While the WCAG 2.0 is an international standard for accessibility, laws in the U.S. and most of the world have yet to apply it to all websites," said van Vuuren. "The law only states that companies should take 'reasonable steps' to make their websites accessible, and does not mention the WCAG. In the past four years however, a number of high-profile lawsuits and widespread support for stricter laws has caused the Department of Justice and other regulatory bodies to reconsider the stance of the law."
So what are designers and developers to do? Website Magazine has enlisted the help of their peers to develop a list of Web accessibility tools to start making improvements today.
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View all of Usablenet's products and services for web accessibility here.