According to AudioEye, “Digital accessibility means creating and maintaining a barrier-free digital experience so that individuals of all abilities can access — and interact with — online information.”
Those with disabilities use the web differently than everyone else. As a business, it’s important to make your website accessible for everyone. Every type of disability deserves equal access to the web — from visual impairments to physical disabilities.
What is Website Accessibility Software?
Website Accessibility Software is a browser extension that helps users with disabilities to access websites more easily.
These extensions make the web more accessible for people who have trouble using their keyboards or who find it tedious to open new windows, tabs and navigate between them.
They’re tools powered by Artificial Intelligence that detect elements on a screen and define behavior according to the rules and exceptions you apply.
Why Use Website Accessibility Software?
Website accessibility software is a must-have for businesses looking to avoid penalties, maintain a positive reputation, and increase search rankings. The benefits of using website accessibility software are myriad:
- It allows everyone to access your site, including disabled and elderly people
- Easy to implement and free
- It’s a legal requirement in some countries — ISO 26262
- Improves search engine ranking
- Improves your position on the accessibility leaderboard
- Improves customer experience, leading to increased sales
- Improves your brand reputation — people value companies that are inclusive.
Website accessibility software should be an integral component in any business’ e-commerce site. It helps with the remarkable goal of making the internet a more accessible place for all, regardless of physical limitations.
Kinds of Website Accessibility Software
Website Accessibility Monitoring and Auditing – For businesses, web accessibility is a critical issue that requires effective monitoring and auditing. Most companies rely on their IT team to manually run through their existing websites — a time-consuming and ineffective approach.
Good accessibility tools scan websites (both single pages and entire websites), automatically identifying issues with text size, color contrast, and more. WCAG compliance software tools are essential for brands to maintain a fully compliant website and streamline the auditing process.
Assistive Technology Software — Assistive technology aims to make life easier for those with disabilities. By using hardware tools and software applications, those who need extra assistance can use technology for more independent and self-sufficient lives.
Examples of these tools include high-contrast screens for those with vision impairments, on-screen keyboards for those who have mobility issues that make it hard to type, and screen magnifiers that improve screen legibility for people with low vision.
Who Uses Website Accessibility Software?
People with Disabilities — People with disabilities often have to use alternative devices and software to get through their day — some of which need specific accessibility tools to function properly. When browsing the Internet, they need specific features that help them access a website, including screen readers, special keyboard keys for navigation, and other handy features.
Web Accessibility Professionals — Web accessibility is a rapidly growing field where dedicated professionals work to ensure that all web experiences are accessible to users of all abilities. In large companies, it isn’t uncommon for a single person to handle web accessibility.
A website accessibility professional has a very important job to do. Web accessibility professionals review web applications and websites and make modifications through code or content to make them more accessible.
WCAG compliance software is the solution for businesses that can’t afford to ignore accessibility laws and guidelines. It allows e-commerce sites to fulfill their legal obligations by checking their content against Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). Ensure that people with disabilities have access to your site today.
