Website accessibility: What it is, why it’s important, and how you can achieve it
Nov 5, 2021
This blog has been updated to reflect the release of WCAG version 2.2 in October of 2023.
What is website accessibility?
Website accessibility, or more broadly, digital accessibility, is the process of making websites and other digital experiences accessible to everyone, regardless of ability. It recognizes that people interact with technology in diverse ways and provides solutions that enable people with disabilities to engage with digital content, tools, products, and services.
Understanding the spectrum of disability
When it comes to answering “what is website accessibility?” it’s important to understand the spectrum of disability and think beyond the more commonly known vision and hearing disabilities. For instance, mobility disabilities are the most common in the U.S., followed by cognitive disabilities. When thinking about making your website accessible to everyone, think about people with disabilities that impact their:
- Movement
- Speech
- Neurological functioning (for example, memory)
- Cognitive functioning (for example, learning)
- Vision
- Hearing
It’s important to remember that accessibility can also benefit those with [...]