Web Accessibility - A guide for agencies

The World Health Organization reports that 1.3 billion people, or 16% of the global population, live with significant disabilities. WebAIM's 2022 study reveals that a mere 3% of the top 1,000,000 home pages on the internet are accessible to those with disabilities. This underscores the need to develop products and services with accessibility in mind. Nowadays, websites, tools, and technologies should also be designed and developed to be usable by people with disabilities.

As inclusivity becomes more important, solution agencies must know about web accessibility to make their digital work accessible to all, including those with disabilities. So, we provide you with a guide to help you understand and apply these standards to improve not only your web accessibility skills, but user experience, SEO, and reach, too.

European Accessibility Act & Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 

Per the European Commission, the European Accessibility Act (EAA) is a landmark EU law requiring everyday products and services to be accessible for persons with disabilities. It aims to improve the accessibility of commodities across various sectors to set minimum accessibility requirements that member states must implement. 

Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), on the other hand, provide technical guidelines and success criteria for web content accessibility. It was developed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) and is widely recognized internationally as the benchmark for web accessibility standards.

The EAA sets legal standards that encompass digital accessibility, while WCAG provides specific technical guidelines and benchmarks to help achieve these standards, especially concerning web content. Together, they contribute to creating a more inclusive digital environment within the EU and globally.

Why should your agency care about web accessibility? 

The upcoming EU regulations will require a higher focus on accessibility. While the regulations won't directly affect agencies themselves, they will certainly impact your clients. Some service providers might be required to only work with agencies with accessibility competencies. 

But, in addition to regulations, why else should your agency care about web accessibility? 

• It’s a human right
  Ensuring web accessibility upholds the fundamental right of equal access to information and services for all individuals, regardless of disabilities.
• It affects all of us
  Accessibility considerations benefit everyone, including those with temporary or situational disabilities - fostering an inclusive digital environment.
• Improved content & SEO Accessible content tends to be clearer and better structured, which can improve search engine optimization (SEO) and user engagement.
• Improved code
  Implementing accessibility standards often results in cleaner, more semantic code, enhancing site reliability and maintainability.
• Improved web performance
  Optimizing for accessibility typically leads to faster load times and smoother interactions, benefiting all users, especially those on slower connections or devices.
• Improved user experience
  Prioritizing accessibility means creating interfaces that are easier to use and navigate, enhancing satisfaction and retention rates.
• Larger target audience
  By accommodating diverse needs, accessible websites attract a broader audience, increasing reach and impact.

What should your agency do to comply with the new laws?

• Implement Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)
  Ensure that digital content complies with WCAG 2.1 standards, which provide comprehensive recommendations for enhancing web accessibility.
• Integrate Web Accessibility Testing
  Conducting regular accessibility testing and audits involves systematically reviewing websites or applications to identify and rectify any barriers that may hinder accessibility. 
  These tests and audits typically involve automated tools, manual testing, and user feedback to ensure compliance with accessibility standards. Whenever feasible, testing should be conducted with individuals who use assistive technologies as part of their daily routine. Including people with disabilities in user testing sessions is highly beneficial and recommended.
  Shifting the focus away from working solely from audit to audit is crucial. Instead, prioritize continuous testing in your daily operations, integrate it into your definition of done, and incorporate it during the design stage and beyond.
• Focus on the journeys
  In the realm of website accessibility, foster an open dialogue within your agency. Cultivate a learning environment for employees, champion accessibility advocates, and integrate accessibility seamlessly into your operational ethos. Encourage ongoing discussions, solicit feedback from diverse perspectives, and remain open to acknowledging and rectifying potential shortcomings in your approach. A lot is changing in the future of web accessibility and we’ll witness an increased focus and interest in the topic.
• Web Accessibility from the start
  When looking at future projects, it’s good practice to incorporate the concept of web accessibility from the get-go. Incorporating web accessibility considerations from the beginning of a project ensures that design and development processes prioritize inclusivity. By integrating accessibility from inception, potential barriers are proactively addressed, resulting in more seamless user experiences for individuals with disabilities.

It is best practice to view web accessibility as an opportunity. This entails approaching projects holistically by considering diverse user groups, thereby broadening the product or service's accessibility to a wider audience. This approach not only saves time, money, and resources but also demonstrates a return on investment for accessibility. At this stage, the focus should be on creating inclusive experiences rather than just addressing barriers.

Embracing accessibility - A strategic imperative for agencies

As the landscape of digital accessibility evolves with new regulations like the EAA and established standards such as the WCAG, agencies have a critical opportunity to lead the way in fostering inclusivity. Adopting these guidelines is not merely about compliance but about aligning with a broader mission of equity and accessibility for all users. By integrating accessibility into the core of your projects, your agency not only meets legal requirements but also enhances user experience, improves SEO, and expands your client base.

The future of web development is inclusive, and agencies that proactively incorporate accessibility into their workflows will be well-positioned to thrive in an increasingly regulated environment. View accessibility as an integral part of your design and development process rather than an afterthought. This proactive approach will not only ensure compliance but also demonstrate your agency’s commitment to creating digital spaces that welcome everyone. Embrace these changes as a chance to innovate and lead, setting a standard for others to follow while driving meaningful impact in the digital realm.