Despite it being around for a while now, there are still quite a few myths revolving around web accessibility.
For the most part, these myths stem from a lack of understanding of people with disabilities’ user experience, or from a now outdated view of what web accessibility entails.
Regardless, these misconceptions can sometimes prevent those interested in creating inclusive online environments from actually taking the necessary next steps, and, at times, can lead others not to pursue accessibility in the first place.
In this blog, we will debunk these myths.
We will show why certain beliefs exist regarding web accessibility methods and tools, and highlight what the data points to, and what trends are actually being pursued.
Myth #1: Remediating a website can only be conducted manually
For years, manual remediation was the only course of action for those who wanted to create an accessible website.
Manual remediators would be tasked with:
- Auditing a website for accessibility issues
- Remediating the accessibility issues they found
- Ensuring ongoing accessibility status is maintained by checking in on the website every few months
This all changed with the advent of AI and AI-powered solutions.
Suddenly, each of the three steps appearing in the section above no longer have to be carried out solely via manual remediators.
Website owners can now submit web pages to be audited through automated testing platforms. Tools such as accessScan leverage AI to compare a given web page to thousands of other websites in order to flag accessibility issues existing within it in a matter of seconds.
AI-driven tools, such as accessWidget, integrate with a website and remediate many of the accessibility issues appearing within it. This includes removing more significant accessibility barriers, such as remediating problematic code to allow for screen reader compatibility and keyboard-only navigation.
Tools such as accessWidget will also flag new accessibility issues that arise when additional pages and features are introduced to a website, allowing for ongoing accessibility maintenance.
All of this is not to say that manual remediation is no longer necessary. In fact, automated tools and solutions greatly complement manual methods: They provide remediators with greater clarity as to the accessibility issues that require their attention, and allow them to work more efficiently.
Myth #2: Web accessibility remediation requires weeks and months
This was true when web accessibility remediation was wholly a manual process. Today, however, AI-powered solutions enable website owners to begin their accessibility journey and make significant strides toward full accessibility within a matter of hours.
Depending on its size and the complexity of its design and code, a tool like accessWidget can help your website reach a high level of accessibility fairly quickly. Once installed on your website, accessWidget will audit it, flagging and remediating accessibility issues it finds.
This process takes between 24 to 48 hours.
Additionally, native accessibility projects can be executed far more quickly than in the past, thanks to tools such as accessFlow. A platform created to assist developers in creating accessible environments from the ground up, accessFlow audits code, flagging accessibility issues within it. Developers and team leads can quickly make the necessary changes, and remove elements that would result in accessibility problems for end users with disabilities.
Injecting accessibility right into the source code used to require gaining significant expertise and manual code inspection. With AI-driven platforms, developers can write accessible code without needing to put in hours of extra work.
Myth #3: Web accessibility is a nice bonus feature, but it isn’t a must
This one is wrong for a variety of reasons:
FIrst and foremost, people with disabilities make up 16% of the world’s population, and 28.7% of adult Americans. Still, for the most part, members of the various disability communities are largely discriminated against when it comes to access to online environments.
When you treat people with disabilities with the respect they deserve - in the form of presenting an accessible website - you make it far more likely for them to consider spending money on you and your business.
Members of the various disability communities and their families wield immense spending power (last estimated at $13 trillion in annual expendable income). An accessible website will allow them to examine your goods and services, and to potentially become your customers.
Additionally, web accessibility is now a legal requirement in many jurisdictions.
Despite originally targeting businesses’ physical environments, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), is now widely applied by many U.S. courts to the online domain, as well. This means that under the ADA - which applies to most public facing businesses, websites need to be made accessible to people with disabilities.
It is worth noting that ADA-related legal action has been on a steady rise in the last few years, with a number of notable companies having been embroiled in lawsuits. These can potentially have damaging effects on brand reputation and the bottom line.
The ADA is not the only law that applies to web accessibility. Among other notable laws include:
- Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act: Under this law,federally-funded bodies, and services providers to such organizations, must make their websites accessible
- The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA): Under this law,most organizations registered in Ontario, Canada, must make their websites accessible
- The Equality Act of 2010 and The Public Sector Bodies Accessibility Regulations 2018: Under these law,many organizations in the United Kingdom need to make their websites accessible
- The European Accessibility Act: Under these law, which is set to be fully enforced in 2025, most organizations in the European Union need to make their websites accessible
Bottom line: Web accessibility is critical from an ethical perspective. It can also help generate more business, and is a legal requirement in many jurisdictions.
Myth #4: People won’t pay for an accessibility solution
While it was always the right thing to do, taking the necessary steps to ensure your website was accessible used to require significant resources.
AI-powered web accessibility solutions were created so that presenting an accessible website is within reach for everyone, even those operating with a tight budget.
Tools like accessWidget, for example, can help you become accessible starting at $49 a month. This more affordable accessibility approach is pursued by hundreds of thousands of website owners, from virtually every field and industry.
accessiBe is now relied upon by more than 100,000 websites in their efforts to present an accessible online presence.
Closing thoughts
Web design agencies can help their clients become accessible and earn money in the process, by joining accessiBe’s Partner Program from Agencies.
If you apply to the program, you will receive a 20% for every client website you install accessWidget on. Additionally, accessiBe’s Partner Success Managers can provide you with relevant materials and guidance so that you can present the importance of accessibility to your clients, and empower them to take the next step in their accessibility journey.
Interested in learning more about accessiBe’s Partner Program for Agencies? Press here.