Digital accessibility is becoming a more pressing issue as our world becomes increasingly digitized. In the UK, there are laws and regulations in place to ensure that people with disabilities have equal access to digital content.
This article will discuss the laws and requirements surrounding digital accessibility in the UK, as well as some tips for making your website more accessible.
What is Digital Accessibility?
The term digital accessibility refers to the ability of people with disabilities to use electronic information and technologies. This includes a wide range of devices and technologies, such as computers, tablets, smartphones, websites, and applications.
People with disabilities may have difficulty using some of these technologies due to a variety of factors, including visual, auditory, physical, speech, cognitive, neurological, and intellectual impairments.
By making digital content and technology accessible, it can be ensured that everyone has an equal opportunity to participate in the digital world. There are several ways to make digital content and technology more accessible.
For example, it’s important can use alternative text to describe images for users who are blind or have low vision. It’s also important to provide transcripts or captions for videos for users who are deaf or hard of hearing, as they could be created by a transcriber or by a transcription & captioning company. By making digital content and technology more accessible, we can create a more inclusive society for everyone.
Equality Act 2010 (EQA)
In the UK, digital accessibility is covered by the Equality Act 2010 (EQA). The EQA is a law that protects people with disabilities from discrimination. The law applies to all organizations with more than 20 employees.
The EQA requires organizations to make sure that their websites and other digital content are accessible to people with disabilities. This includes making sure that the website can be used by people who use assistive technologies, such as screen readers. Organizations that do not comply with the EQA can be fined up to £50,000.
What are Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)?
The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) are a set of international standards for making digital content and technology more accessible. The WCAG is developed by the World Wide Web Consortium (WCS), an international organization that sets standards for the web.
The WCAG is organized into three levels: A, AA, and AAA. Level A is the most basic level of accessibility, while AAA is the most advanced.
Most organizations aim to meet WCAG Level AA when making their websites and other digital content accessible.
The WCAG is a helpful tool for organizations to use when making their websites and other digital content more accessible. However, it is important to note that the WCAG is not a law.
Organizations are not required to meet the WCAG, but doing so can help them avoid discrimination claims under the Equality Act.
Making Your Website More Accessible
There are many ways to make your website more accessible. Some of the most important things to keep in mind are:
Colors Should Be Used Carefully
Make sure that your website does not rely on color to convey meaning. For example, don’t use red text to indicate required fields on a form. Use color to enhance the user experience, but make sure that your content is still understandable if users cannot see colors.
Use Headings and Lists
Headings and lists can help users to understand the structure of your content. They can also make it easier for users to navigate your website using screen readers and other assistive technologies.
Use Alternative Text to Describe Images
Make sure to use alternative text (alt-text) to describe images on your website. Alt-text is used by screen readers to describe images for users who are blind or have low vision.
Provide Transcripts or Captions for Videos
If you have videos on your website, make sure to provide transcripts or captions. This will help users who are deaf or hard of hearing to understand your content so therefore it’s understandable why transcription services are booming in the UK.
Make Sure Your CMS Supports Accessibility
If you use a content management system (CMS) to create and manage your website, make sure that it supports accessibility. For example, WordPress is a popular CMS that has many features and plugins to help make websites more accessible.
Ensure That People with Assistive Technologies Can Use Your Website
Make sure to test your website with people who use assistive technologies, such as screen readers. This will help you to find and fix any accessibility issues.
By following these tips, you can make your website more accessible to a wider range of people. Making your website accessible is not only the right thing to do, but it can also help you to avoid discrimination claims under the Equality Act.
