What Is Website Accessibility and Who Is It For?

If you have recently heard about website accessibility and are wondering what is it, you are in the right place.

According to the latest stats from Google, there are over 2B websites on the internet. The majority of those sites are inactive or abandoned, leaving approximately 200M active sites, with about 1,500 sites being added to the internet every minute.

According to WorldBank.org, nearly 20% of adults worldwide identify as disabled.

The internet has grown so quickly, with technology outpacing practicality. Resulting in the majority of web advances being inaccessible to individuals with disabilities.

The majority of technology advancements are not tested or vetting with people with disabilities., especially those with:

• Visual disabilities
• Hearing disabilities
• Cognitive disabilities
• Attention Deficit Disorders (ADD and ADHD)
• Seizure Disorders such as Epilepsy
• Fine motor disabilities

The result of overlooking this portion of the population is that to 80% of the population, the majority of websites are closed.

Website accessibility is intended to make the internet accessible to every person, regardless of ability level. To allow everyone to access the essential services that websites provide.

How does this impact your website?

Depending on which country your website is based in, you may be required to provide an accessible experience to all of your website visitors.

Most developed countries have an accessibility initiative underway, with aggressive penalties for businesses without accessible websites. For example, in the United States and the European Union, a website that is not accessible can face huge monetary fines and penalties.

The intention of accessibility is not to overburden or punish businesses. The intention of accessibility is to make the internet accessible to everyone. To remove the online barriers that have prevented those with disabilities from accessing the vital services and products necessary to live a productive and meaningful life.