{"id":1555,"date":"2022-05-20T13:28:17","date_gmt":"2022-05-20T20:28:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.asccreative.com\/?p=1555"},"modified":"2023-03-07T23:07:29","modified_gmt":"2023-03-08T07:07:29","slug":"why-accessibility-matters","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/asccreative.net\/dev2\/why-accessibility-matters\/","title":{"rendered":"Why website accessibility matters more than ever"},"content":{"rendered":"

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The internet is one of humankind\u2019s greatest inventions. It simplifies our lives dramatically and provides us with instant access to knowledge, opportunities, social connections, products, goods, and services. To most of us, it\u2019s almost unthinkable to be closed off from the internet and lose access to its many benefits. Just the thought of living in today\u2019s world without our smartphones, laptop, and internet access is unbearable. Let alone actually living like so. For many people with disabilities, unfortunately, this is the reality.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Most websites are built to be used with a mouse or a touch screen, not with assistive technologies like screen readers and keyboards. These are the tools used by many people with disabilities to access and operate their computers.<\/span><\/p>\n

And this is where web accessibility comes in.\u00a0Web accessibility is the consideration for site visitors who have a visual, auditory or motor skills impairment that affects their ability to use your website.\u00a0In this article, we will be talking about tools and methods used to improve access to existing websites\/technologies for individuals with disabilities that impact their use of technology.<\/p>\n

Why is this be important to any business? There are two really good reasons:<\/p>\n

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  1. One is in the number of users with some form of impairment affecting their ability to use your site. If you knew that 20% could not use your website, wouldn’t you make changes to allow them access?<\/li>\n
  2. The other important reason are the legal implications to your business. In the USA<\/a> and parts of Canada<\/a>, strong penalties have been recently been put into law to enforcement new laws requiring accessibility.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    The testing standard are the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WGAG). While WGAG has had accessibility guidelines for a long time, it is the recent introduce of legislation and accompanying enforcement processes that will really impact businesses.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Things to look for on your website include:<\/p>\n