Accessibility (a11y) ensures everyone can use your application, regardless of ability.
Who Benefits?
People with Disabilities
- Visual: Blindness, low vision, color blindness
- Auditory: Deafness, hard of hearing
- Motor: Limited fine motor control, tremors
- Cognitive: Learning disabilities, attention disorders
Everyone Benefits
- Users on mobile devices
- Users with slow internet
- Users in bright sunlight
- Users with temporary injuries
- Aging population
The Numbers
- ~15% of world population has some disability
- ~8% of men have color blindness
- 100% of users will age
Legal Requirements
- ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act)
- Section 508 (US Federal agencies)
- WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines)
- European Accessibility Act
WCAG Principles: POUR
1. Perceivable
Users must be able to perceive the content:
- Text alternatives for images
- Captions for videos
- Sufficient color contrast
2. Operable
Users must be able to operate the interface:
- Keyboard accessible
- Enough time to read
- No seizure-inducing content
3. Understandable
Content must be understandable:
- Readable text
- Predictable navigation
- Input assistance
4. Robust
Content must work with assistive technologies:
- Valid HTML
- Compatible with screen readers
- Works across devices
Business Benefits
- Larger audience
- Better SEO (search engines are "blind")
- Improved user experience for all
- Legal compliance
- Corporate responsibility