Amplify Accessibility
Making the world accessible, one site at a time.
What is Digital Accessibility?
Digital accessibility, in short, is the inclusive practice of making sure there are no barriers to accessing information on websites, digital documents, email, mobile apps, etc.The purpose of digital accessibility is to increase the capacity of resources and webpages to be navigated and understood easily by everyone regardless of ability. There are four principles of digital accessibility that should be followed according to the World Wide Web Consortium. They are Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, and Robust (POUR). They are defined by the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) with the goal to meet the needs of individuals, organizations, and governments.
The Need for Website Accessibility
One in four people in the United States has some type of disability. Since the pandemic, more services are being offered online than ever before. It is imperative that the materials are accessible to people with disabilities, including those who rely on assistive technology to navigate web pages and documents.
It is the law to ensure that websites and digital documents are accessible. It falls under the Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act as well as Section 504 and 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. In 2023, accessibility lawsuits rose to an unprecedented 4,605 cases. Out of the main industries, 82% were ecommerce business lawsuits.