Understanding digital accessibility
At 383, we consider digital accessibility a fundamental approach to ensuring everyone can use and interact with online services effectively. This includes people with visual, auditory, physical, and cognitive impairments, as well as neurodivergent individuals who might struggle with certain design elements.
The current state of digital accessibility is concerning. Recent studies show that 46% of people with complex disabilities face significant barriers when trying to engage with online services. These challenges affect every aspect of daily life, from shopping and banking to accessing essential government services.
Consider this: 41% of people with complex disabilities report difficulty in planning simple activities, like booking holidays online. This isn't just an inconvenience – it's a form of digital exclusion that can lead to isolation and frustration, and this is what the EAA is aiming to prevent.
Defining your business case
While compliance with the EAA will soon be mandatory, the business benefits extend far beyond legal requirements. Here's how:
With a market opportunity of approximately 87 million people with disabilities in the EU, accessibility compliance opens up a significant market opportunity. These potential customers, along with their friends and families, represent a substantial user base that businesses can't afford to ignore.
Accessible design often leads to a better user experience for everyone. Clean layouts, clear navigation, and well-structured content benefits all users, not just those with disabilities. Think of it like a ramp – designed for wheelchair users but beneficial for everyone from parents with push chairs to delivery workers with a trolley.
Brand reputation is also at risk in this era where corporate social responsibility matters more than ever. Your brand's reputation can be significantly enhanced by demonstrating a commitment to accessibility. Conversely, failing to provide accessible services can lead to negative publicity and lost customer trust.
Shaping your individual direction
Swift understanding is crucial…
- Audit your current digital footprint: Start by conducting a comprehensive accessibility audit of your digital properties. This will help identify gaps and prioritise improvements.
- Develop an implementation plan: Create a roadmap for addressing identified issues, considering both quick wins and longer-term structural changes.
- Train your team: Ensure your development, design, and content teams understand accessibility requirements and best practices. This knowledge should be integrated into your regular workflows.
- Regular testing and monitoring: Implement ongoing accessibility testing as part of your quality assurance process. Remember that accessibility isn't a one-time fix but a continuous commitment.
Technical requirements and implementation
The EAA sets out specific requirements for digital accessibility. Here are the key areas you need to address:
1. Assistive technology compatibility
Your digital platforms must work seamlessly with assistive technologies like screen readers. This means implementing proper HTML structure, ARIA labels, and ensuring all functionality is available through keyboard navigation
2. Visual considerations
- Sufficient colour contrast for text and interactive elements
- Resizable text without loss of functionality
- Alternative text for images and visual content
- Options to reduce motion and animations for users with vestibular disorders
3. Interactive elements
- Clear focus indicators for keyboard navigation
- Adequate timing controls for forms and interactive content
- Error identification and suggestion mechanisms
- Multiple ways to access key functions
Tools and resources for implementation and ongoing measurement
Modern web development offers numerous tools to help achieve compliance. We recommend:
Development tools
- Chrome's Lighthouse for accessibility audits
- WAVE (Web Accessibility Evaluation Tool)
- axe DevTools for automated testing
- Screen readers like NVDA and VoiceOver for manual testing
Framework support
- Accessible component libraries like Headless UI and Radix
- CSS frameworks with built-in accessibility features
- ARIA implementation guides and patterns
Tomorrow’s inclusive digital world
As technology evolves, we're seeing exciting developments in accessibility tools and practices. AI-powered solutions are emerging to help automate certain aspects of accessibility implementation, such as generating alternative text for images.
However, the human element remains crucial. Understanding user needs, testing with real users, and maintaining a commitment to inclusive design are essential for creating truly accessible digital experiences.
We have experts on-hand to support businesses just like yours reach EAA compliance. In just 10 days we can cover customer journey research and insight, opportunity mapping, ideation and concept exploration.
Our lean innovation sprints frame the problems you’re facing, consider the opportunities, and ideates the value a new proposition can drive.
