Website Accessibility Review
Web accessibility refers to the practice of making websites usable by people of all abilities and disabilities. At the web consultancy, we also use the term to encompass cross browser compatibility, which means users with alternative browsers to Microsoft’s Internet Explorer (such as Safari - the Apple Mac browser, Mozilla, Opera and many others) are able to use a site.
An accessible site is correctly designed, developed and edited, so all users can have equal access to information and functionality.
Why is accessibility important?
If your website is not accessible for everyone, you could be alienating a significant proportion of your potential customers.
Getting it right means your site will be usable and inviting to a larger audience. For example:
- A site is coded with semantically meaningful HTML, with textual equivalents provided for images and with links named meaningfully, helps blind users using text-to-speech software and/or text-to-Braille hardware.
- When text and images are large and/or enlargeable, it is easier for users with poor sight to read and understand the content.
- When links are underlined (or otherwise differentiated) as well as coloured, this ensures that colour-blind users will be able to notice them.
- When clickable links and areas are large, this helps users who cannot control a mouse with precision.
- When pages are coded so that users can navigate by means of the keyboard alone, or a single switch access device alone, this helps users who cannot use a mouse or even a standard keyboard.
- When videos are subtitled or a sign language version is available, deaf and hard of hearing users can understand video.
- When flashing effects are avoided or made optional, users prone to seizures caused by these effects are not put at risk.
- When content is written in plain language and illustrated with instructional diagrams and animations, users with dyslexia and learning difficulties are better able to understand the content.
When sites are correctly built and maintained, all of these users can be accommodated while not impacting on the usability of the site for non-disabled users.
Legal requirements
The Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (DDA) does not refer explicitly to website accessibility, but makes it illegal to discriminate against people with disabilities. The DDA applies to anyone providing a service; public, private and voluntary sectors. The Code of Practice: Rights of Access - Goods, Facilities, Services and Premises document published by the government’s Disability Rights Commission to accompany the Act does refer explicitly to websites as one of the "services to the public" which should be considered covered by the Act.
the web consultancy accessibility review:
- Analysis of your site’s accessibility against UK & USA industry standards.
- Written report detailing all findings uncovered in the review. Includes summarised key issues and actionable recommendations
- Client debrief and presentation.
To get the best results for your website, you should consider using the web consultancy’s 5 point website health plan, which includes accesibility reviews.
To find out more please call 0845 643 0977 or contact us.
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