.png)
Have you ever been frustrated while trying to access a website? Maybe the text was too small, the colors clashed, or you couldn't navigate it with a screen reader. These issues are not just minor inconveniences – they represent barriers that millions of people with disabilities face every day. Website accessibility is about making the digital world inclusive and usable for everyone, and it matters to you, your employees, and your customers more than you might think.
1. Inclusivity Matters
6.2 million or one in five Canadians over the age of 15 years has one or more disabilities. (Statistics Canada, 2017).
Website accessibility ensures that people of all abilities can access, perceive, understand, navigate and interact with online content. This includes those with visual, auditory, motor, and cognitive impairments. By designing websites with accessibility in mind, you contribute to a more inclusive and diverse online community.
2. Legal Compliance
Non-compliance with accessibility standards can lead to legal troubles for website owners. In Canada, there are various federal and provincial laws aimed at ensuring equal access to digital content and services for individuals with disabilities. Under the Canadian Human Rights Act at the federal level, discrimination based on disability is prohibited, which extends to digital services and content offered by federally regulated entities. Additionally, provinces like Ontario have the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA)*, which mandates specific accessibility standards for websites and digital content, requiring organizations to make their online presence accessible to all. These laws not only promote inclusivity but also serve as a legal framework to safeguard the rights of individuals with disabilities and ensure that web content is available to everyone, regardless of their abilities. Failure to adhere to these regulations can result in lawsuits and hefty fines. By prioritizing accessibility, you protect yourself from legal liabilities.
*In Ontario -- All businesses (private and non-profit) with more than 20 employees are required to complete Accessibility Compliance reports every 3 years as per the AODA. The next 3-year deadline is Dec 31st, 2023.
Important note: Private and non-profit businesses with 50 or more employees have been required to required to satisfy Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 Level AA compliance since January 1, 2021.
Read more about Canada's Digital Accessibility Laws and Policies (Federal and Provincial (Ontario, Manitoba, Nova Scotia and British Columbia). (WhoIsAccessible.com)
3. Improved User Experience
An accessible website provides a better user experience for everyone. Think about it: well-structured content, easy navigation, and readable text benefit all users, not just those with disabilities. By making your website more accessible, you enhance its usability and appeal to a broader audience.
4. Expanding Your Audience
Consider the economic aspect. Making your website accessible opens doors to a larger customer or client base. People with disabilities have significant purchasing power, and they're more likely to engage with businesses that prioritize accessibility. By catering to this demographic, you can increase your reach and profitability.
5. Better Search Engine Rankings
Accessible websites enjoy increased traffic, reduced bounce rates, improved SEO rankings, and better conversion rates. An accessible website means that you’re making it easier for people to find your website.
Search engines like Google reward websites that are accessible. They view accessibility as a measure of quality and relevance. So, if you want your website to rank higher in search results, ensure it's accessible. This can boost your online visibility and draw more visitors.
6. Social Responsibility
Accessibility is an issue of social responsibility. By creating an accessible website, you contribute to a more equitable society. It's not just about compliance or profit; it's about doing what's right and fair for all members of your community, whether they have disabilities or not.
7. Future-Proofing Your Business
The world is becoming more digital, and accessibility will become an even more critical aspect of web design. By embracing accessibility now, you future-proof your business against changing regulations and evolving user expectations.
Conclusion
Website accessibility isn't just a niche concern; it's a vital aspect of modern web design that affects everyone. When you make your website accessible, you create a more inclusive, user-friendly, and profitable digital space. You also demonstrate your commitment to social responsibility and safeguard your business against legal issues. So, make the decision to prioritize website accessibility today – it matters to you, your users, and society as a whole.
*****
Want to bring your site in to compliance today?
Get accessiBe accessWidget
Built side-by-side with people with disabilities, accessiBe's accessWidget is the world’s leading Al-powered web accessibility solution that makes websites accessible to people with disabilities and helps you become compliant. Automation allows accessWidget to significantly cut the costs of becoming compliant and makes web accessibility accessible. accessWidget costs just $490 (USD) per year per domain for websites under 1,000 pages, with different plans for bigger sites.
How does it work?
accessWidget involves a 2-minute simple installation of JavaScript code on your website. Once implemented, accessWidget scans, analyzes, and fixes accessibility compliance gaps in up to 48 hours. When it comes to your user interface and website’s design, accessWidget will not change a thing for most users. It will only be activated when turned on via the interface (or a screen reader if the user is blind) and only during the user's specific session. Watch the 3-minute video below to learn about accessiBe works.
With accessiBe, you receive ongoing maintenance and remediation for your website. accessWidget scans and monitors your website every 24 hours to ensure any new content you upload is remediated.
Furthermore, accessiBe’s Litigation Support Package is a unique service that takes care of everything you need and provides all necessary accessibility documentation for all case scenarios. Instead of handling legal situations on your own, accessiBe is the only web accessibility service that provides such a package and gives you the peace of mind you need.
To learn whether or not your website is accessible for people with disabilities, we can get your website audited with accessScan, accessiBe's free tool. It’s simple and quick. After that, we’ll know the status of your website and what to do next. You can scan it yourself by entering your domain here in the "free audit" section, or we can do it together and review the results. If you need any assistance, just reach out.