Inclusive design is the conscious effort to create digital products or services that enables a wide range of diverse people to access those products. Everyone should have the ability to understand, navigate and interact with a website and contribute to the web, including by the use of assistive technologies.
“The power of the Web is in its universality. Access by everyone regardless of disability is an essential aspect.” -- Sir Tim Berners-Lee, Inventor of the World Wide Web
We created this webinar that reviews what it means to create a welcoming digital presence for all people online:
Accessibility means that all websites, tools and technologies are designed and developed to be used by everyone, including individuals with a variety of disabilities. Examples of disabilities that web accessibility supports are:
First off, it's the right thing to do. Everyone should be able to access the web. Additionally, studies show that accessible websites:
If you're interested in conducting a self-guided accessibility audit of your own website, download our tool.
The WCAG standards are developed and maintained by the Web Accessibility Initiative of the World Wide Web Consortium, the main international standards organization for the Internet.
508 is shorthand for Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 that requires federal government websites and applications to be safe and accessible for people with disabilities. 508 Compliance is equivalent to WCAG 2.0 AA guidelines – so they represent a subset of the current accessibility guidelines (the latest being 2.1). They are mandatory to follow for government websites.
When websites offer a welcoming and inclusive digital presence, you’re providing an equal opportunity for all users to feel connected to your business and mission. We understand that resources can be limited to provide such an experience, but the very real potential benefit of connecting with your prospective customer base, meeting legal accessibility requirements, and reaching new users should not be overlooked.