Website Accessibility – Why is it Important?

Website accessibility is becoming a more and more important issue that website designers and website owners likely need to address in 2024 and beyond. The latest estimates from the Department for Work and Pensions suggest 24% or 16.1 million people in the UK have a disability.

To make the internet accessible for all, there are ways in which websites can be upgraded and optimised to cater for all users. This article covers website accessibility, what it is and why it’s important. Investing in upgrades to a website is important for a number of reasons including:

  • Ethics and legal requirements. Legislation is continuing to evolve which means that websites need to take all users’ requirements into consideration and make the website simple for them to use.
  • Helping all of your users maximises your audience reach. If you are alienating potential clients or current users – they will be frustrated with the website and are likely to look elsewhere.
  • Google Rankings are already affected by optimisations to the website such as how fast the website loads and how easy the website is to use. It’s highly likely that Google will add additional accessibility features that will directly or indirectly influence Google Rankings in the future.

What is Website Accessibility?

Website accessibility refers to tools or features on your website that are designed and developed so that users with disabilities can use them effectively and easily. Making websites more accessible benefits everyone and demonstrates that you care about all of your users and their specific needs and requirements. Some examples of this include:

  • Correct mark-up of image alt-text. Fully descriptive text so that those who are hard of sight can use image-to-voice technology to hear what the image is displaying.
  • Colour schemes to calm bright imagery for users with ASD & ADHD.
  • Transcripts for audio such as a YouTube video embedded on the page or a podcast for those that are unable to hear or have difficulty hearing.

Why is Making Websites More Accessible Important

–        Ethics / Legal & Fair Website Experience for All

Access to information and communication technology is listed as a basic human right by the UN’s Convention on the Rights of Persons With Disabilities. The EU also has put into place legislation surrounding website usability so investing in accessibility features and upgrading websites or encompassing this into current and future web design projects will pay dividends. It’s also important to work together to make the internet and web pages accessible for all.

–        Google Rankings – Insights

As discussed, Google Rankings are already directly or indirectly impacted by user experience on the website. Correct and descriptive alt text is also an element of SEO optimisation. It’s highly likely that we will see additional accessibility features added as ranking factors in the near future. Google is also investing in a number of different accessible technologies – so it’s a big feature that they are investing in..

–        Helping All of Your Users. Wider audience reach.

Helping all of your users makes your website more accessible and easier to use. This maximises your audience reach whilst ensuring that you are catering to every user and potential customer.

–        Credentials of your business.

Investing in accessibility for your website and taking steps to make your website simpler to use increases your credibility. This is also important when combined with other aspects of web design. Users won’t enjoy a slow website for example so they will also feel alienated if they are unable to use your website with ease.

 Accessibility is becoming more and more important and we highly recommend that you consider investing in the accessibility of your website. It’s important to audit your current website and identify ways to make it more accessible. Getting feedback from your clients is also a great way to find any pain points that they may have – and then update your website to solve these problems.

If you’re looking for a company to help you with website accessibility issues, get in touch with You and I Web Design.