Some international regulations address web accessibility specifically, while others are broader and more open to interpretation. The public and private sectors are subject to different sets of legislation. And in most instances, some of these factors apply to both.
Knowing whether web accessibility laws apply to your business or organization might be difficult due to the legislation’s fluidity and lack of clarity. To help you, this article summarizes the most important anti-discrimination legislation, regulations and standards relating to or requiring internet accessibility. You also learn more about the laws that govern accessibility on a global scale. These include web accessibility regulations, anti-discrimination and workplace rules.
The Definition Of Web Accessibility Laws
‘Web accessibility’ is the process of ensuring all individuals can use websites. When designing for the web, remembering the principles of accessibility is critical in ensuring everyone, including those with disabilities, has access to the same website or at least a comparable experience. Website accessibility is a priority since it ensures everyone can view your website without barriers.
There are a variety of causes for inaccessibility on the web. A number of factors might contribute to this problem. These factors include poor design, technical coding and even language selection.
Adopting accessibility standards for the web has allowed website owners to remove some obstacles that digital content users previously faced. They aid in developing accessible websites for people of diverse backgrounds, abilities and languages. In any case, laws regarding website accessibility always evolve.
Examples of Accessibility Problems
Think about how many people potentially have trouble accessing your website and what kinds of problems they encounter. Common obstacles include the following:
- Motor/mobility
- Visual
- Auditory
- Learning/cognitive
- Seizures
Any number of people with different circumstances visit your website to buy your product or hire your service. Address these common obstacles and you can reach a wider audience.
A Closer Look At Accessibility Laws
To some businesses, conducting accessibility testing can feel challenging due to the abundance of different checklists and recommendations. Focus on the fundamentals first, then study the outline of the standards that apply to your business. That way, you can see what basic precautions you need to take.
Here are some accessibility laws you must account for when developing your website:
- WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines)
The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) released a lengthy and comprehensive document that specifies rigorous, technology-specific requirements for accessibility conformance called the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). The W3C organized the criteria into four sections that detail how to improve an implementation’s readability, usability, clarity and reliability.
At a glance, WCAG is the perfect opportunity to obtain a quick overview and develop your plan. You don’t have to memorize every single WCAG criterion to ensure your site is accessible. However, you must be aware of the most pressing issues and use a range of methods and resources to call attention to any areas that fall short.
- Accessible Canada Act (ACA), Canada
By establishing a framework for creating accessibility standards, the ACA grants the government of Canada the ability to collaborate with stakeholders and persons with disabilities to design new accessibility legislation that applies to sectors under federal jurisdiction. It lays out rules that businesses must follow to ensure that businesses identify, eliminate and prevent accessibility barriers.
- Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), Canada
The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) mandates that WCAG 2.0 AA compliance is mandatory (with exceptions for audio descriptions and live captions).
- The Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Section 508, USA
Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act provides that all federally funded entities make reasonable accommodations to ensure that their information and communications technology (ICT) is usable by people with disabilities. Legislation has been passed mandating compliance with the W3C’s Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0, Level AA. The Rehabilitation Act is a well-known law in the United States requiring websites to include certain features for those with disabilities.
- Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), USA
According to the Americans with Disabilities Act regulations (ADA), public buildings must be designed to accommodate people with all types of impairments. Previously established precedent in the United States has extended the reach of the Americans with Disabilities Act to include electronic media. Getting your website audited is the best route to ensure you’re compliant with the ADA.
- European Accessibility Act, European Union (EU)
The intent of the European Accessibility Act is to facilitate the free flow of products and services throughout the EU by creating a uniform framework for commercial activity among the EU’s member states.
Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)
When making a website accessible, the most up-to-date WCAG and standards highlight four primary guidelines. You can find instructions for making your site more accessible to people with disabilities by adhering to these four guiding principles:
- Perceivable: Your website’s content and information must be perceivable, understandable and known to visitors. Vision-impaired users commonly use screen reader software, turning written text into synthesized audio or braille symbols. Therefore, ‘perceive’ doesn’t necessarily mean to ‘see with one’s eyes.’
- Operable: All site visitors should be able to read and interact with the material. Those who might suffer from seizures or other similar triggers are also included. Users should be able to quickly and easily locate desired information and orient themselves within the site.
- Comprehensible: Content on your website, both written and visual, should be simple enough for any visitor to grasp. Users with cognitive disabilities or impairments and those who don’t speak your site’s primary language will have a challenging time understanding and using your site if you use overly complex or wordy terminology. The same rule applies to the structure of your website. Your site’s pages should adhere to ‘common sense’ organization principles, and visitors should easily access the site’s navigation from most, if not all, of those pages.
- Robust: Everyone uses different devices to access the internet. Ensure your website displays correctly on different devices. An added feature is adopting assistive technology so users with disabilities can access it.
These four principles ensure you create a website that anyone can access.
Wrapping Up
Since the internet is so integral to daily life, providing everyone with fair and equal access to it should be a legal and moral requirement. Governments around the world have begun to see the value of accessibility, recognizing the need for parity in all settings. Companies and digital platforms can set themselves apart by doing more than just meeting regulatory requirements. Exceed people’s expectations by providing an equal digital environment in which everyone can take part.
