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Improving the Web for Disabled (and Non-Disabled) Users

As many as 10 percent of Internet users have disabilities, including visual, auditory and physical challenges. So it’s important to consider Accessible Web Design (which we'll refer to as AWD), which allows all users to access information online, regardless of their disability.

AWD encompasses a wide variety of accessibility concerns. For example, a color-blind visitor may have trouble reading text on backgrounds without sufficient contrast, while a deaf visitor will need a transcription of your latest podcast. Even non-disabled users will benefit – such as those viewers with a different learning style or low-literacy skills; people in noisy environments; on a mobile device; or with a low-bandwidth connection.

It’s easy to see how AWD can improve the experience of all users, especially as the digital frontier expands to mobile devices and beyond. Other benefits:

  • Search engine optimization – thanks to clearer document structure, accessible content is more easily discovered by search engines
  • Ability to repurpose content for multiple formats, devices and languages
  • Enhanced discoverability of non-text content (mainly video and audio)
  • Potential decrease to server load
AWD can help you retain users, enhance their experience, improve your web presence and simplify content reuse across devices. While comprehensive accessibility may not always be appropriate for your web project, it should always be an important consideration.

 

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