Creating a website that’s “accessible” means that people with disabilities can perceive, navigate, and contribute to the web. Conversations on web accessibility are usually associated with the aging population; senior citizens are more engaged than ever, making up 24% of online users in North America - with 40% of those shopping online - according to reports from FACIL’iti.

There are many guidelines available for optimizing accessibility, from government and educational websites to dedicated communities, such as W3C. Do you ever go on a .GOV website and see big fonts, a simple layout, and basic colours? This is the result of accessibility in the works. A great example of such features can be found in the USA government website:

Sophisticated browsers of today allow every company to be socially responsible, without impacting a website’s core design and function. Similar to switching between languages and currency on a website, most websites today can offer an accessible option. We’re able to deliver full web experiences with an accessible conversion button. We have the means to make accessible websites function beyond the highest standards of WC3, by addressing the needs of users affected by either a physical, sensorial, and/or cognitive disorder, including:

• Parkinson’s
• Dyslexia
• Cataract
• Colour blindness
• Essential Tremor
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Photosensitive Epilepsy
• Age-related Macular Degeneration

As the world becomes more connected online, it’s important to be forward thinking with your audience - Making sure that your clients, management team, and employees are able to fully interact with your website is a strong investment in the future of your business. While it’s often easy to overlook how not everyone is able to experience the web in it’s entirety, creating awareness is the first step towards improvement. We’re looking forward to starting this conversation and influencing the future of the web, in a way we can all be proud of.