Accessible Design
In today’s digital landscape, accessibility is more than just a buzzword—it’s a crucial aspect of design that ensures all people, regardless of their abilities, can engage with content equally.
Whether it’s a website, a PDF document, or marketing materials, accessible design makes a significant impact on how people experience your brand.
But beyond the moral and ethical imperatives, there are also legal requirements that companies must be aware of. Let’s explore why accessible design matters, the legal obligations surrounding it, and how businesses can ensure their content is accessible to everyone.
What Is Accessible Design?
Accessible design refers to the creation of products, services, and environments that can be used by all people, including those with disabilities. This includes making sure that digital content—such as websites, mobile apps, and documents—can be navigated and understood by individuals who may use assistive technologies like screen readers, magnifiers, or alternative input devices.
Accessible design benefits a wide range of users, including those with visual, auditory, motor, or cognitive impairments, and even those who may face temporary disabilities, such as a broken arm or aging-related challenges.
The Legal Side of Accessibility
While the ethical reasons for accessible design are compelling, there are also legal requirements that businesses must comply with. In many countries, accessibility is not just a best practice—it’s the law.
In the United States, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) sets out guidelines to prevent discrimination against individuals with disabilities. Although the ADA was enacted in 1990, its principles have been increasingly applied to the digital world, with courts ruling that websites and online content must be accessible under ADA standards. This means businesses could face legal action if their digital content is not accessible.
Similarly, the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) provide a widely recognized standard for web accessibility. These guidelines outline how to make web content more accessible to people with disabilities, offering a framework that many governments use to set legal requirements. For instance, the European Union has adopted WCAG standards through the EU Web Accessibility Directive, which mandates public sector websites and mobile apps to be accessible.
Non-compliance with these regulations can lead to lawsuits, financial penalties, and damage to your brand’s reputation. In recent years, there has been a surge in legal actions against companies whose websites or digital content are not accessible, highlighting the importance of adhering to accessibility standards.
Why Companies Need to Prioritize Accessibility
1. Expanding Your Audience
By making your digital content accessible, you’re opening your business to a broader audience. According to the World Health Organization, over 1 billion people live with some form of disability—that’s roughly 15% of the global population. By ensuring your content is accessible, you’re not only complying with legal requirements but also tapping into a significant market segment that might otherwise be excluded.
2. Enhancing User Experience for Everyone
Accessible design isn’t just beneficial for people with disabilities; it improves the overall user experience. Features such as clear navigation, readable fonts, and video captions make content more user-friendly for everyone, including those with temporary impairments or those using different devices and environments.
3. Strengthening Your Brand Reputation
A commitment to accessibility reflects positively on your brand. It shows that your business values inclusivity and is dedicated to providing equal access to all users. In a competitive market, this can differentiate your brand and build customer loyalty.
4. Avoiding Legal Risks
As discussed, failing to comply with accessibility laws can lead to costly legal battles and damage to your brand’s reputation. By prioritizing accessibility, you reduce the risk of legal action and demonstrate a proactive approach to inclusivity.
How to Ensure Your Content is Accessible
1. Start with an Accessibility Audit
Conducting an accessibility audit of your digital content is the first step. This involves assessing your website, documents, and other digital assets against accessibility standards such as WCAG. Identify areas where improvements are needed and develop a plan to address them.
2. Implement Accessibility Best Practices
Incorporate accessibility best practices into your design and development processes. This includes using alt text for images, ensuring sufficient color contrast, providing captions for videos, and structuring content in a way that is easy to navigate with a keyboard or screen reader.
3. Continuous Monitoring and Updates
Accessibility is not a one-time project but an ongoing commitment. Regularly review and update your content to ensure it remains accessible, especially as technology evolves and new content is created.
4. Educate Your Team
Ensure that your team is trained in accessibility best practices. This includes designers, developers, content creators, and anyone involved in the production of digital content. A knowledgeable team is key to maintaining accessibility across all your projects.
Conclusion
Accessible design is not just about meeting legal requirements—it’s about creating an inclusive experience for all users. By prioritizing accessibility, companies can expand their audience, enhance user satisfaction, and strengthen their brand reputation. Moreover, it helps avoid the legal pitfalls that can arise from non-compliance with accessibility laws. As the digital landscape continues to evolve, businesses that commit to accessibility will be better positioned to succeed in an increasingly inclusive world.
If your company hasn’t yet made accessibility a priority, now is the time to start. Not only will you be complying with the law, but you’ll also be building a brand that values inclusivity and equal access for all.
Read more about what an Accessible Checklist should include.
Contact DCM Graphics and Media today for your free Accessibility Audit.
