For multiple times on this blog, we have talked about web accessibility, but you may ask, what will help me achieve my accessibility goals. In this article, we will talk briefly about WCAG, or web content accessibility guidelines.
What Is WCAG?
The World Wide Web Consortium, or W3C, established accessibility guidelines known as WCAG in order to assist web developers and designers in creating a virtual environment that is accessible to those with disabilities. The organization was established in 1994 and formed WCAG in 2008. To create a single, universally accepted standard for web content accessibility that satisfies the requirements of individuals, organizations, and governments worldwide, the W3C developed the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) in collaboration with people and organizations from all over the world.
Businesses and private groups are not required to adhere to the WCAG procedure when developing their online locations, despite the fact that certain governments demand that all of their sites be WCAG compliant. Nonetheless, it is important to note that making sure your website and apps comply with WCAG is crucial for making sure you can offer your goods, services, and/or content to everyone. The pace of technological advancement has increased over time. These changes require for an upgrade in accessibility standards, which the consortium has been working to do since 2008 in order to accommodate new technology products entering the market.
Why Comply with WCAG?
It is essential to adhere to WCAG. Over 1 billion people have disabilities, according to the World Health Organization. This indicates that some of the users of your website or app have disabilities. Consequently, while creating websites and apps, accessibility needs to be a goal. Accessibility refers to the ease with which persons with impairments can utilize and benefit from your website. After defining online accessibility, there are four key guidelines you must adhere to in order to make your website accessible.
The Four Main Accessibility Principles
Do you know what "POUR" is? The principles of perceivability, operability, understanding, and robustness are symbolized by this acronym. Let's examine each of these ideas separately.
Perceivable
This concept mandates that web developers and designers produce material for websites that is readable by assistive technology used by individuals with impairments. For instance, you must use readable fonts, provide information on your website that screen readers can use to help a blind person, allow users to enlarge the screen, and more.
Operable
This is all about how the user uses your platform, as the wording suggests. A web designer must make sure that the user can comfortably navigate the website, which entails avoiding fast-moving carousels, enabling keyboard usability, designing a simpler user interface, making it easier for those who do not use the keyboard, and allowing a reasonable amount of time when dealing with time-based content, such as text that may appear on the screen for a brief period of time. You may offer an option that enhances your accessibility for time-based content.
Understandable
Information offered on your website should be understandable to visitors. This calls for the use of appropriate language, legible contents, and the provision of an aid program on form-filling sites in order to prevent user error.
Robust
As we just discussed, technology is constantly evolving. Making sure that your website is still accessible after the change is suggested under this guideline. Even so, people with impairments ought to be able to independently browse the website.
So, what can we take home? Millions of individuals have trouble accessing the internet. Will you involve them and change the world by making your website WCAG compliant? You will not only be able to assist them by doing this, but you also stand to get more viewers. Be sure to read the accessibility articles on this blog to learn how to make your sites compliant. These include helpful advice that will aid you in your efforts to ensure that your website is accessible to those with impairments.