The world is changing constantly. Fifty years ago, who would have thought we would have become so reliant on something called the internet? Five years ago, who would have thought a pandemic would bring the world to a stop and that the internet would be the lifeline that kept the world connected? Yes, since the pandemic, the world has moved more online than ever before. We use the internet for so many things in our everyday lives.
Many are quick to assume that the mere fact that the internet exists is the best thing for those living with a disability, that it gives them equal opportunities with everyone else. But is that really the case? No, it is not. Those who are disabled have a variety of needs and all of these needs cannot simply be covered by having the internet, thankfully businesses like accessiBe are there to help with this.
Just as some disabled people need a ramp to access a building or need to hear the beeping at a pedestrian crossing to know it is safe to cross, others need extra support to use your website. For example, a person living with a visual impairment may need to be able to use a bigger font. They may need audio descriptions for images. They may need voice overs to read any words. So even people with the same disability may have different care needs and require different types of support.
Governments all over the world have realized how important this issue is and are clamping down on companies that do not take action. In fact, in the last couple of years, the number of lawsuits against companies failing to make their websites accessible has risen sharply.
So, if this is something you haven’t yet addressed on your own website, now is the time to do something about it. As we’ve already mentioned, there are many types of disabilities so it could seem daunting to think of all the work you will have to put in to make your website accessible to all the varying needs that a person may have. But it doesn’t have to involve work at all. There is software available that will do the work for you. By adding it to your website, it will search for any accessibility issues your website has and work at fixing them immediately. It is a cheap and quick way of making sure your website is accessible to those living with a disability.
