Sometimes a coder fails to add a small snippet, which prompts screen readers to ‘Read more’. It is a text that directs you to the entire content or a list of contents. You enjoy reading the blog posts but a visually impaired user will depend on a screen reader for content navigation on this page. As soon as the screen reader reaches the end, it gets stuck at the ‘Read more’ snippet. For visually impaired people this minor detail makes a huge difference between being confined in an incessant loop and website accessibility to meaningful content.
Visually impaired people cannot see video content or images or text. So, the pages that are designed for accessibility, communicate topic clearly, contain relevant links, logical navigation, and informative images are rewarded by Google bots.
Building an accessible website is a shrewd SEO strategy and it does not need to be a time-consuming and resource-intensive process. You can take help from an SEO agency like Australian Internet Advertising to create or improve your web accessibility. Why does web accessibility make sense? It is great for sites having an audience with some kind of disability, for example, an ophthalmic surgeon can experience multiple visually impaired visitors.
How improving web accessibility is beneficial?
Increases web traffic
Some people struggle with some kind of temporary disability like breaking the arm or fingers. There are age-related disabilities like vision impairment. It is estimated that 15% of the global population encounters some type of disability and you don’t desire to keep them away from your website. Even if the percentage is small with enhanced web accessibility for disabled people can offer a competitive edge. According to a survey, disabled people are possibly loyal visitors to a site that is compatible with them.
Supports legal compliance
Your website may legally need to comply with the web accessibility guidelines. Currently, several nations have introduced web accessibility laws. Non-compliance with web accessibility laws can be costly.
For example, a blind man litigated Winn-Dixie [American supermarket chain] against the web accessibility issue and won the case. The target had to pay $6 million for damages to National Federation of Blind because they failed to add ALT Text on product images along with other accessibility problems.
Enhances website quality
Adhering to web accessibility guidelines not just helps disabled people but even offers plenty of SEO benefits.
- Using the ALT test will help the visually impaired understand images. It is even a crucial SEO for people using image search as well as when images collapse and cannot be pulled out.
- People with disabilities have difficulties in understanding a complicated web layout and navigation. With a simple responsive site design bounce rate is reduced, conversions are enhanced and mobile browsing is easy.
- Audio and video transcripts are essential for hearing disabled people, so including transcripts, they can read and the video is useful for those using the web without headphones in a café or other public places.
- Flickering content is problematic to people with neurological disorders and seizures. Remove automatic animations or such flickering contact as it is not just distracting but frustrating.
- Physically disabled people need more time for some tasks like form filling, so allocate more time before page times-out.
- People with hearing issues can find it hard to contact a website owner offering only their phone number. Include several contact methods like email, live chat, and phone for every user.
Enhancing web accessibility is an ethical thing to do!