With the increased reliance on the internet as a means of communication and information dissemination, digital accessibility has taken on increased importance.
In the more than two decades since it came into popularity, the Internet has quickly grown from being a cutting-edge tool for research and education to an essential mode of communication. In today’s fast-paced, interconnected world, the internet has become a vital part of everyday life. Indeed, according to the 2020 Canadian Internet User Survey by Statistics Canada, 92% of Canadians report having internet access, and 76% of Canadians use the internet to keep in touch with friends, family, and colleagues. As the Internet has evolved from a luxury to convenience to a necessity, so has the need for it to become accessible to everyone.
Digital transformation has made the world more accessible in some key ways. Take printed newspapers, for example; they posed a challenge to people who were blind, as well as individuals who had trouble physically holding or turning pages. In the digital age, they are available online using accessible devices, as long as the organization’s website has been designed in a format that meets the current Accessibility Standards. This removes the barrier that previously existed, allowing people to independently keep up with local news in a format that works best for them.
More broadly, if websites are not accessible, individuals with disabilities lose a way of independently obtaining information. Websites can be inaccessible in ways that users without disabilities may not notice or may notice but can easily dismiss. For Example, many sites use images and flashy graphics, some have online games, and others have contests that require precise mouse clicks and timed actions. It can be difficult for assistive technology devices to interpret this functionality, creating a barrier to equal participation. A site with tutorial videos which do not feature somebody describing the on-screen action, or a video with spoken content that is not conveyed visually or in text, prevents people with hearing or vision loss from being able to fully understand the message, leaving many disabled persons at a distinct disadvantage. Simple actions like providing accurate descriptions to video content, adding alt text to all images (and gifs) and considering people who use assistive technology when designing contests and websites can go a long way to helping improve digital accessibility.
When it comes to school, the transition to online and remote learning during 2020 and 2021 brought some harsh realities to light. Some colleges and universities use online course management software designed without accessibility in mind. They have relevant material in inaccessible images and audio-only formats, use non-standard buttons which do not respond to keyboard presses, and can have animated content that causes assistive devices to struggle with page focus. These issues can prevent students with disabilities from independently completing their courses and obtaining good grades. Online learning is the preferred method of learning for many people with disabilities as it allows them to learn as their energy levels allow rather than when the class is scheduled, at their own speed, and at home instead of in a building that may or may not be accessible. Yet inaccessible course design can negate all of these benefits.
Shopping was another thing that has seen a huge increase in demand over the past two years. Online stores with poorly designed, inaccessible websites cause grief to disabled people as they are unable to complete their purchases. Especially during the pandemic, when there were shortages of items and a huge spike in demand for delivery and pickup services, hard-to-navigate store websites risked leaving people with disabilities unable to complete their purchases before a time slot expired. Hastily put together web interfaces without alt tags or accurate product descriptions left customers with visual impairments guessing as to a product’s suitability, and restrictive return policies meant that the customer had to keep any products that weren’t what they were expecting.
On the work front, inaccessible company websites and policies make it difficult for some employees to be as productive as possible, which can result in them unjustly being viewed as liabilities rather than assets. For example, online video meetings where all participants needed to have their video turned on created problems for neurodivergent employees who may not ‘look’ like they’re paying attention in the traditional sense. Not all virtual meeting software works with screen readers and other adaptive technologies, and presentations within meetings often lack accessibility features.
Additionally, government forms and documents that are not accessible make it difficult for some to complete, requiring them to relinquish their privacy while somebody assists them with sensitive information.
More and more of our lives revolve around the Internet and being online. To a person with disabilities, an inaccessible Internet is a barrier. Ensuring websites, apps, and digital platforms are accessible is the best way to ensure that everybody can participate in today’s information-driven world. It’s not just the right thing to do, but given that accessible design benefits everyone, in the end, it’s the smart business decision.
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