Website accessibility guidelines

In this introduction to website accessibility guidelines, we will look at a few of the key accessibility standards that are worth being aware of.

We begin by defining what website accessibility involves and why it is important for your website to follow website accessibility guidelines. The article explores key accessibility standards, such as WCAG 2.0, 2.1, the forthcoming WCAG 3.0, and New Zealand's Government Web Standards; Web Accessibility Standards 1.1 and 1.3. Additionally, we highlight how Somar Digital can assist in making your websites accessible, underscoring the importance of digital inclusivity.

This blog serves as your starting point for understanding the significance of website accessibility guidelines and their impact on creating an inclusive online space.

What is Website Accessibility

Website accessibility(external link) refers to the inclusive practice of removing barriers that prevent interaction with, or access to websites, by people with disabilities. When sites are correctly designed and developed, all users have equal access to information and functionality.

It involves a comprehensive approach, including everything from the choice of colour contrasts and text size to navigation ease and content structure, ensuring that everyone, including those with impairments such as vision, hearing, mobility, and cognitive issues, can engage fully with the site.

Why is Website Accessibility Important

The significance of website accessibility cannot be overstated. The internet is a fundamental resource for employment, government, education, healthcare, commerce, and more. Ensuring that this resource is accessible to all is a matter of digital inclusivity and equity.

Furthermore, accessible websites benefit from higher search rankings, wider reach, and improved user experience for all visitors, not just those with disabilities.

Website Accessibility Guidelines Examples

WCAG 2

The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 and its subsequent update, WCAG 2.1(external link), are part of a series of web accessibility guidelines published by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C)'s Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI). These guidelines are the most widely accepted standards for web accessibility, offering a comprehensive set of recommendations for making web content more accessible to people with disabilities.

WCAG 3

WCAG 3.0, currently in development, aims to address limitations of the previous versions by covering a broader range of disabilities and providing more flexible testing methods. It is anticipated to introduce new ways of evaluating and measuring accessibility, making it easier for website owners to ensure their sites are inclusive.

NZ Government Web Standards

The New Zealand Government Web Standards are a set of requirements that aim to ensure websites are accessible and usable for as many people as possible. These standards are mandatory for all New Zealand government organisations, emphasising the need for public sector websites to be accessible to all citizens, including those with disabilities.

Web Accessibility Standard 1.1

The Web Accessibility Standard 1.1(external link) focuses on making web content accessible to a wider range of people with disabilities, including accommodations for blindness and low vision, deafness and hearing loss, limited movement, speech disabilities, photosensitivity, and combinations of these.

Web Accessibility Standard 1.3

Similarly, Web Accessibility Standard 1.3 builds upon these principles, incorporating newer technologies and methodologies to improve accessibility further. It addresses the ever-evolving nature of the web and the diverse ways in which people interact with online content.

How Somar Digital Can Take Care of Accessibility for Your Website

Somar Digital can help you implement website accessibility guidelines, ensuring that your digital presence is not only compliant with current standards but also prepared for future developments. Our approach encompasses a thorough audit of your site, identification of potential accessibility barriers, and the implementation of necessary changes to enhance inclusivity.

By partnering with Somar Digital, you ensure your website is accessible to all users, thereby enhancing user experience, expanding your audience, and complying with legal standards.

The three main website accessibility standards are the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), the Accessible Rich Internet Applications (ARIA) standards, and legal requirements such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in the United States or the Equality Act in the UK. WCAG is the most widely recognised and comprehensive set, offering guidelines to make web content more accessible to a range of disabilities. ARIA provides a framework to make web content and web applications more accessible to people with disabilities. Legal requirements vary by country but generally mandate a minimum level of accessibility for websites, especially those providing public services or operated by government entities.

Web Accessibility Standard 1.1 NZ is a set of guidelines adopted by the New Zealand government to ensure that websites and web services are accessible to all users, including those with disabilities. It aligns with international standards, focusing on providing equitable access to information and services online, covering aspects such as text alternatives for non-text content, navigable and understandable web pages, and compatibility with assistive technologies.

The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) are a series of guidelines for improving web accessibility. Published by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), these guidelines are designed to make web content more accessible to people with disabilities, including visual, auditory, physical, speech, cognitive, language, learning, and neurological disabilities. WCAG is structured around four principles: perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust content. It is the most widely accepted standard for web accessibility across the globe.

While it is highly recommended, not all websites are legally required to be WCAG compliant. However, for government websites and those offering public services, compliance with WCAG standards is often a legal requirement in many countries. For private entities, compliance varies by jurisdiction but adhering to WCAG can help avoid legal challenges, improve user experience, and expand audience reach by making the site accessible to people with disabilities.

In New Zealand, the legal requirements for web accessibility are outlined in the New Zealand Government Web Standards. These standards require that all government websites and applications are accessible, following the Web Accessibility Standard 1.1, which is closely aligned with WCAG 2.1. This ensures that people with disabilities have equitable access to information and services online. Failure to comply with these standards can result in legal implications and restrict access for individuals relying on accessible content.

Web accessibility is measured through a combination of automated tools and manual testing to ensure compliance with standards like WCAG. Automated tools can detect certain accessibility issues, such as missing alt text for images or insufficient contrast ratios. Manual testing, including the use of screen readers and keyboard navigation, is essential for identifying issues that automated tools cannot detect. A comprehensive assessment often involves user testing with people who have disabilities to ensure that a website is truly accessible.

To make your website accessible, start by familiarising yourself with the WCAG guidelines. Implementing these guidelines involves several key steps: ensuring that all images have alt text, making sure your site is navigable by keyboard alone, providing text transcripts for video and audio content, using sufficient contrast for text and background colours, and designing your website so that it is easily understandable and operable. Regular testing with both automated tools and manual reviews, including feedback from users with disabilities, is crucial for maintaining accessibility.

by Somar Digital

UX UI

Website accessibility guidelines

What is Website Accessibility

Why is Website Accessibility Important

Website Accessibility Guidelines Examples

WCAG 2

WCAG 3

NZ Government Web Standards

Web Accessibility Standard 1.1

Web Accessibility Standard 1.3

How Somar Digital Can Take Care of Accessibility for Your Website

What are the 3 website accessibility standards?

What is Web Accessibility Standard 1.1 NZ?

What are the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines?

Do all websites need to be WCAG compliant?

What are the legal requirements of web accessibility in New Zealand?

How is web accessibility measured?

How do I make my website accessible?

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