Website Accessibility Wcag 2.1

What is the WCAG 2.1?

WCAG 2.1 stands for the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines and is the globally recognised standard provided by the World Wide Web Consortium. The WCAG 2.1 AA standard sets out the rules for website design, user interface, behaviour and functionality. In simplest terms, the standards introduce...

A global approach to deliver web accessibility to all users.

What does this actually mean?

All people have a right to use public spaces, transport, shops, sporting venues etc. The same applies to the digital world. As a business with a website, you make up part of the digital landscape. Accounting for how people with disabilities can access your website is your responsibility.As everyone's reliance on using online services is driven by convenience, people with disabilities rely on these services out of necessity. Making sure these resources are optimised for all users is the equivalent of a wheelchair ramp at the store.As global awareness of our responsibilities grows, businesses leading by example have the most to gain. Delivering secure and accessible online experiences leads to improving customer service, building trust and reducing legal risk.

How do people with disabilities benefit?

WCAG 2.1 AA focuses on website content and user interaction. Users with a variety of impairments are provided with websites that are:

Perceivable:

Allowing users with sensory impairments (such as visual and auditory disabilities) alternative methods of perceiving website content. Visual adjustments to size, layout, colour and behaviour assist users with partial impairments. Accessibility Tools like screen readers allow users with total vision impairment to 'read-out-loud' the content on a website.

Operable:

Allowing users with motor impairments alternative methods of operating website content. Optimisation allows users to move around your website using input from assistive devices such as adaptive keyboards and trackball-mice.

Understandable:

Allowing users with cognitive disabilities the resources to navigate and comprehend website content and information in predictable ways. Integration of dictionaries and reference resources improves user access and engagement.

Robust:

Allowing users to rely on the robust function of a range of assistive technologies to process, present and operate content in different ways. Ensuring robust compatibility between current and future devices with a variety of website browsers is also very important.

How do we achieve accessibility?

We take the traditionally complex and expensive process of accessibility and make it effortless andaffordableusing automations and AI.

The accessibility interface

Our accessibility interface addresses approximately 30% of the WCAG requirements and relates mostly to adjusting the user interface of website design. These include the look and feel of your website andinclude features such as:

• Stopping animations, videos and GIFs for people with photo-sensitive epilepsy 
• Virtual keyboard engagement with your website via mouse and pointer 
• Dictionary using wikipedia and wiktionary providing instant and elaborate explanation for users with cognitive disabilities
• Content and colour adjustments allow for infinite tuning of font size, screen scale and improvements in readability for a range of visual impairments

This is a totally personalised accessibility experience. It allows all website owners to leave your website design as it is, provided best practice design and development was used. The accessibility tool does all the hard work. This function removes costly website development and audit processes.It allows each user to infinitely adjust the way your website is displayed on their device without changing any of your website infrastructure.Automation and AI handle the remaining 70% of WCAG 2.1 requirements and tackles two of the most challenging accessibility requirements:

• Optimisation of all elements to allow navigation via keyboard
• Optimisation of all elements display compatible with screen readers 

Automation and AI

Automation and AI handle the remaining 70% of WCAG 2.1 requirements and tackles two of the most challenging accessibility requirements:

• Optimisation of all elements to allow navigation via keyboard
• Optimisation of all elements display compatible with screen readers 

How do I get my website accessible?

1. We install the accessibility tool
2. The user interface is available to use right away
3. Scanning and analysis on your website begins immediately
4. In 48 hours, our AI process is finished and your website is compliant
5. We re-scan your website for new/revised content 24 hours

What doesn't change?

Aside from installing our accessibility tool and displaying the accessibility icon, we don't change a thing.Visitors access your website in exactly the same manner. Your website design and layout remain the same.Your website performance isn't affected at all as we don't make any changes to the coding.The user simply changes how your website is viewed on their device. Consider the interface like a pair of glasses, what is being looked at remains the same, the glass lens makes the necessary changes for the user.The accessibility feature only becomes active once it is turned on by the user and only works for that session.Your privacy policy remains unchanged as we do not collect or store data.

What is the end result?

Your accessibility tool is live on your website and ensures compliance with the WCAG 2.1 AA level standards. Your accessibility statement explains the adjustments that were made and is available to all visitors and doubles as a certification of compliance.

A totally personalised accessibility experience.