Article Highlights:
Digital accessibility is no longer a nice-to-have. With healthcare, employment, NDIS participant portals and government services all delivered online, an inaccessible website is the same as a locked door. Global Accessibility Awareness Day is the one moment each year that asks every designer, developer, business and decision-maker to stop and notice who is still being left outside.Digital access is a fundamental right of everyone, but there is much work to do on ensuring the digital world is accessible and inclusive for all.
Technology has transformed the way people access healthcare, education, employment, and government services. Yet for those living with low vision, those who are hard of hearing, or those who struggle with motor impairments, and rely on keyboard navigation or adaptive hardware, digital spaces often prove difficult to navigate.
This is because many websites and apps are still being designed and built without accessibility in mind. To help draw attention to the issue, 15 years ago, inclusion advocates launched Global Accessibility Awareness Day.
Celebrated each year on the third Thursday of May, the aim of the day is to encourage people globally to think, talk, and learn about digital access and inclusion. More specifically, what it means for the 5.5 million Australians and the one billion-plus people around the world who live with disability.
The state of the web today
98.1% of one million home pages analysed by WebAIM in 2020 contained at least one accessibility failure, with an average of around 60 errors per home page.
Barriers to digital accessibility that still need to be overcome
From the sample of one million home pages analysed in 2020 webAIM found that, on average, there were around 60 errors per home page, with the most common accessibility issues being:
- Low contrast text
- Missing image descriptions
- Empty links
- Unlabelled form fields
The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) is an international non-profit group that works with member organisations and the public to develop web standards. The organisation says
W3C says access to information and communications technologies, including the web, is defined as a basic human right in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
The web is fundamentally designed to work for everyone, no matter what hardware or software they are using, their language of choice, their location, or their ability. True web accessibility encompasses all disabilities that affect access to the web, including auditory, cognitive, neurological, physical, speech, and visual.
For Australians living with disability, digital access barriers can mean being locked out of telehealth appointments, NDIS participant portals, employment opportunities and essential government services.
Just Better Care is committed to providing a website that is accessible to all, regardless of ability.
The Just Better Care website adheres as closely as possible to the W3C Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), and uses an AI-based application that continuously optimises accessibility in the background.
What are some of the accessibility features available to visitors on the Just Better Care website?
Screen-reader and keyboard navigation tools
Optimised so people relying on adaptive hardware or keyboard-only navigation can move through the site without obstacles.
Font and colour adjustment capabilities
Visitors can adjust how content is displayed to suit their own vision needs and reading preferences.
Audio muting functionality
Sound and auto-playing media can be turned off, supporting users who rely on screen readers or are sensitive to background audio.
Epilepsy-safe design
The use of flashing or blinking animations and risky colour combinations has been limited to ensure the site is epilepsy-safe.
Compatibility with major screen readers
The website has been built to ensure compatibility with screen readers such as JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver, and TalkBack.
There are several recommended accessibility features, technology tools, and learning resources available for both website administrators and people looking for accessibility features to access key technologies.
For people using assistive technology
Built-in features from major platforms
Google, Microsoft, and Apple have accessibility features such as scanners, screen readers, and keyboard shortcuts.
Other organisations, such as The Adaptech Research Network, have a library of free or inexpensive software useful for users who need accessibility assistance on the web.
For designers and developers
Tools to test and improve digital accessibility
For those involved in creating digital spaces, WebAIM has a free tool that can test the accessibility of pages.
The Paciello Group has a Colour Contrast Analyser tool that helps determine the legibility of text and the contrast of visual elements.
For anyone learning about inclusive design
A free starting point from the W3C
For designers and developers who want to improve their digital inclusion skills but are unsure where to start, W3C also offers a free digital accessibility foundations online course.
GEt Involved with accessibility awareness
Global Accessibility Awareness Day is an invitation for everyone, not just developers or designers, to learn more and imagine the digital world without barriers.
Disability Support & Assistance with NDIS Plans.
Just Better Care disability support services are centred around goals, routines and lifestyle. Contact your local Just Better Care office to find out how we can help with NDIS plans and professional support services.
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