What is Accessibility?

Aug 14 2021- POSTED BY projecth 0 Comment

Introduction

Accessibility is a process that specifically considers the needs of people with disabilities. Having empathy for your users means remembering that not everyone uses the web in the same way. Some users rely on assistive technology to help them access the web.
Accessible design is a design process in which the needs of people with disabilities are specifically considered.

Common Assistive Technologies
  • Screen reader
  • Screen magnifier
  • Switch controls
  • Closed captioning
     

Types of Access Needs

Language => simple language, describing imagery
Mobility => keyboard, dictation
Hearing => text or sign language
Vision => legibility, contrast, color, magnification, decribed images, narrations for video, headings, structured code for screen readers.

Curb-cut effect

Web Accessibility is not about disability, it is about universality! Accessibility improves overall usability, and has benefits beyond allowing people with disabilities to use your product. This notion is called Curb-cut effect
 

WCAG

In terms of measuring your work against an internationally recognized standard, the guidelines you’ll refer to most are the WCAG, or Web Content Accessibility Guidelines. Failure to follow these guidelines risks exposing your product to a costly lawsuit.

WCAG Compliance Levels

There are three compliance levels:

  1. AAA – It is not always possible to satisfy all Level AAA Success Criteria for all content.
  2. AA – That’s why level AA is the minimum accessibility standard for most projects.
  3. A – While achieving Level A compliance should be easily within reach.
WCAG Four Principles of Accessibility

When creating a WCAG 2.1 compliant website, there are 4 POUR concepts we should be familiar with:

  1. Perceivable
  2. Operable
  3. Understandable
  4. Robust

These concepts are broken into 13 guidelines which are then further broken down into 78 success criteria.

13 Days of Accessibility
http://a11ycalendar.kaseybon.com/

Accessibility Checklist for Web Developers
https://treehouse-project-downloads.s3.amazonaws.com/Accessibility-for-Web-Developers/Accessibility-Checklist-for-Web-Developers.pdf

UI Design Dos and Don’ts
https://developer.apple.com/design/tips/

axe: Accessibility Testing Tools and Software
https://www.deque.com/axe/

Exploring WCAG 2.1 — 4.1.3 Status Messages
https://knowbility.org/blog/2018/WCAG21-413StatusMessages/

axe: Accessibility Testing Tools and Software
https://www.deque.com/axe/