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Accessibility in web design has never been more important. According to research conducted by the World Health Organization and the CDC, 16% of the world’s population, and 26% of the U.S. population, have a disability. Whether it’s cognitive, intellectual, sensory or physical, these can hugely impact people’s ability to interact with, and experience, websites to their fullest capability.
Challenges faced by disabled jobseekers
Disabled people are already at a disadvantage when it comes to job hunting. Scope – a charity dedicated to supporting disabled jobseekers – notes that disabled people are almost twice as likely to be unemployed, and face a multitude of barriers at every stage of employment. As one of the first stages in the candidate journey, ensuring that websites are accessible is a vital contribution that employers can make to help level the playing field for disabled candidates.
Surprisingly, websites are inherently accessible in their essence. It is the add-ons – additional features, graphics, functionality and technology – that cause accessibility issues. Accessibility and innovation can coexist harmoniously on websites, we just need to be smarter and more considerate of every user’s experience.
Prioritising website accessibility
I interviewed Dan Leach, a seasoned Development Manager, to understand how employers can ensure their websites are accessible for all.
“Accessibility is the first thing we think about when we build a site. It is not an add on, or an afterthought, it’s the foundation.’’
Dan Leach
Dan describes making websites accessible like a driving test – easy to pass, easier to fail. He advises using accessibility as your starting point to make sure it’s seamlessly integrated into every aspect of your site.
Instead of developing features, and then working out how to make them work for all types of audiences, he advocates for creating features with accessibility at their heart.
Dan believes that accessibility is for everyone. Accessible website features benefit everyone, not just those needing assistive technology, enhancing usability for the entire population.
Captioning videos, for example, ensures they’re accessible, allowing candidates to consume content anytime, anywhere, regardless of their location.
Ultimately, accessibility impacts us all. In an increasingly digital world, ensuring website accessibility is not optional – it’s essential for everyone’s inclusion.
