Embracing Digital Accessibility as an Organizational Core Value

Given the significant impact digital technology has on our daily lives, it is important to ensure that your organization’s or agency’s digital technology is accessibility for everyone, including people with disabilities. Digital accessibility should be viewed as more than just a legal requirement or a box to check. Embracing digital accessibility as an organizational core value and crucial aspect of inclusivity will reap many benefits. This blog explores why digital accessibility matters and how you can start making your organization’s digital platforms and content more inclusive.

Why Is Digital Accessibility Important?

Digital accessibility is important for a number of reasons, including:

1. Ensuring Compliance: Governments around the world are establishing and enforcing stricter accessibility regulations. In the U.S., Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act require federal agencies to ensure their digital technology and content, including websites and electronical documents, provides “equivalent access” for people with disabilities. Just a few months ago, the U.S. Department of Justice issued new accessibility rules to ensure digital services offered by state and local governments are fully compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Non-compliance with Section 508, the ADA, and other regulations can lead to legal repercussions, including lawsuits and fines.
2. Expanding Audience Reach: Approximately 15% of the world’s population lives with some form of disability. By making your digital platforms accessible, you ensure your agency’s or organization’s website and digital content is usable by everyone, increasing your potential audience and customer base.
3. Enhancing the User Experience: Accessibility improvements often lead to a better overall user experience. Features like easy navigation, clear content structure, and alternative text for images benefit everyone, not just people with disabilities. A well-designed, accessible website is likely to ensure repeat visitors.
4. Supporting Social Responsibility: Everyone deserves equal access to information and services. By prioritizing accessibility, you are advocating for inclusivity and showing a commitment to social responsibility, which fosters goodwill and enhances your agency’s or organization’s reputation.

7 Ways to Commit to Accessibility of Technology & Digital Content

1. Conduct an Accessibility Audit: Start with an audit of your current digital assets to identify areas that need improvement. There are a number of tools and services to help you analyze your website’s accessibility.
2. Learn and Follow Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG): WCAG provides a comprehensive framework for making web content more accessible. Familiarize yourself with the guidelines and ensure your digital content meets at least the AA level of conformance.
3. Implement Accessible Design Practices:

• • Use Proper HTML tags: Proper tagging helps screen readers and other assistive technologies understand your content.
  • Ensure Keyboard Navigation: All functionality should be accessible via keyboard for those who cannot use a mouse.
  • Provide Alt Text for Images: Descriptive alt text helps visually impaired users understand the content of images.
  • Caption Videos: Include captions and transcripts for multimedia content to aid users with hearing impairments.
  • Ensure Color Contrast: High contrast between text and background improves readability for users with visual impairments.

4. Regularly Test Your Website: Accessibility is not a one-time task but an ongoing commitment. Regularly test your website with both automated tools, accessibility testers, and website users with disabilities. This helps in identifying new issues that may arise with updates or new content.
5. Train Your Team: Ensure your web, communications, social media, procurement, and other teams are trained in accessibility best practices. Accessibility should be integrated into your workflow from the start, rather than being an afterthought.
6. Involve the Community: Engage with users with disabilities to get direct feedback on your digital platforms. Their insights are invaluable in understanding the real-world impact of your accessibility efforts.
7. Stay Updated: The field of digital accessibility is constantly evolving. Stay informed about new guidelines, tools, trends, and best practices by joining online communities, attending webinars, and subscribing to newsletters on the topic.

Committing to digital accessibility requires dedication, education, and continuous improvement. By prioritizing accessibility, you are not only ensuring your organization or agency is complying with legal standards, but also embracing a culture of inclusivity and respect. In doing so, you contribute to a more equitable digital world where everyone has the opportunity to engage, interact, and benefit from the vast resources digital technology offers.

Want to learn how Applied Development can help your agency or organization ensure accessibility of web content and digital documents? Visit our Section 508 compliance services webpage or contact us for a free comprehensive consultation.