As the internet has become an integral part of our lives, web accessibility has become essential because it provides equal access to online information and services for people with disabilities.
According to the WHO, over 15% of people worldwide live with some form of disability, which includes physical, hearing, visual and cognitive impairments.
Without web accessibility, people with disabilities may encounter barriers preventing them from accomplishing tasks online or gaining access to information.
Web accessibility also benefits non-disabled people, for example:
- people using devices with small screens, such as mobile phones, smart watches, etc.
- senior people with deteriorating abilities due to aging.
- those who suffer from “temporary disabilities” such as forgotten glasses or a broken arm
Many organizations now have WCAG-compliant websites as a requirement and those that do not will be subject to harsh fines or legal action.
In this article, we’ll discuss the significance of web accessibility, its advantages, and how web accessibility audit helps make websites more accessible.
Understanding Accessibility Standards (WCAG, ADA, AODA)
What is accessibility? Web accessibility refers to the development of websites, applications, and technologies that are used by people with impairments.
When web resources are not compliant with WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines), a digital breach is created, limiting the disabled community from quality-of-life resources.
Following WCAG standards helps provide a welcoming experience and access to content for specially-abled people, such as limited movement, deafness and hearing loss, blindness and low vision.
Socially responsible organizations and businesses of all sizes should comply with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to make their websites or applications accessible to all categories of users.
Understanding Website Accessibility Audit
A web accessibility audit is a detailed analysis of a website or a web app that checks the current level of its accessibility and defines what needs to be improved in order to make it compliant with AODA/WCAG 2.1 requirements.
Still wondering why an accessibility page audit is significant for business? Well, that’s a fair question. Here are some of the reasons:
- It helps you grow your website’s potential in the target market and build the brand image of inclusiveness;
- Helps you avoid legal risks;
- Is the actionable step towards improvement.
Benefits of Conducting an Accessibility Audit
By conducting a WCAG accessibility audit (ADA audit or AODA audit), businesses can identify accessibility gaps and proactively fix them, thus minimizing the risk of legal consequences.
And no less important that by conducting a WCAG website compliance audit you provide improved user experience for all individuals on any device, increased reach, and compliance with regulations.
It is also well-established that search engine optimization (SEO) and accessibility go hand in hand. Many accessibility best practices, such as using semantic HTML and offering descriptive alternative text for images, also help websites rank higher in search results. By performing accessibility audits, you can find ways to optimize your digital assets for search engines while maintaining accessibility standards compliance.
Key Elements of an Accessibility Audit
If there is a question in your head like how do you conduct a website accessibility audit or how do you assess website accessibility, then the following information may be useful for you.
The components covered in an accessibility audit are:
- Creation of an inventory of all digital assets, such as software, data, images, videos, audio files, etc.
- Performing automated accessibility tests using specific accessibility auditing tools to check the configured URLs for accessibility problems.
- Performing manual testing using screen readers* like Voice Over, VoiceOver, JAWS, NVDA and others to check website accessibility.
- Analysis of results and accessibility audit report creation. Often the contractor also organizes a follow-up call to go over the report with the client's web developers and answer questions they may have.
*A screen reader is software that makes using a computer possible for people with severe visual impairments. It uses a Text-to-Speech (TTS) engine to convert on-screen text into speech that can be heard through headphones or speakers.
Cost and Investment Considerations
The website accessibility audit cost depends on the size of the site (the number of web pages to be tested). The average price for an accessibility audit is within $90-150/hr.
An audit of a small site or web application usually takes 25-32 hours.
These investments often pay off as correcting website accessibility concerns helps avoid large penalties, in particular, this applies to the companies for which an accessible site is mandatory.
Choosing the Right Accessibility Audit Provider
To select a reputable and experienced website accessibility audit provider consider the following factors:
- Search for service providers with extensive experience in web accessibility and a track record of successful audits.
- Verify that the service provider performs the audit using current techniques and popular tools/web services.
- Verify the reputation of the service provider and get previous client references.
- Select a service provider that can adjust the audit to your unique requirements and offer customized solutions.
- Make sure the audit fits within your budget and schedule.
Conclusion
Now you know the things to consider and work on if you are looking to improve your website accessibility. Working with experts to check your current level of website accessibility and identify the concerns has numerous benefits.
Zwebra Web Studio Inc. has been actively engaged in the creation of accessible and inclusive websites and web apps, and helping their clients in analyzing existing website accessibility issues.
You can request a free quote for an accessibility audit of your website by sending an email to info@zwebra.com.