What is website accessibility?

When it comes to the internet, accessibility is key. Everyone should be able to easily access and navigate websites, regardless of any disabilities they may have.

This is why laws like the Equality Act 2010 in the UK exist, requiring that all websites must be accessible to people with disabilities. The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 offers a set of guidelines for creating websites that are easily accessible to all.

The UK still has a ways to go when it comes to website accessibility. The government set a goal for all publicly-funded websites to meet the WCAG 2.1 AA standard by September 23, 2020, but a government report found that only 27% of the top 100 government websites met this target. A study by the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) found that only 6% of the top 50 UK websites met this standard. This shows that website accessibility is a problem that affects all websites in the UK, not just those run by the government.

Common accessibility issues on websites include poor contrast, a lack of alternative text for images, and a lack of keyboard navigation. These issues can make it difficult or impossible for users with visual impairments or motor disabilities to access the website, limiting their ability to access information.

To improve website accessibility, website owners and developers should follow the WCAG 2.1 guidelines, conduct regular accessibility testing, and make sure that their website is fully operable through keyboard navigation. Additionally, they should provide alternative text for images to help users who are visually impaired understand the content on the website. With these steps in mind, we can work towards a future where everyone can easily access the information they need online.