United Nations Convention declared that access to information and communications including the web as a basic human right. Web Accessibility was designed to ensure that everyone with or without disabilities can easily access websites, software, apps, technologies, etc without any difficulties. Web Accessibility removes all the hurdles surrounding the web and technologies by making every organization follow the global accessibility standards.
The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) along with the Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) developed Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). The W3C is formed by the confluence of individuals and organizations from all over the world. The goal of these institutes was to create a universal standard for accessibility to help people with disabilities easily access the web and technologies.
What If Your Website Isn’t Accessible?
Many organizations tend to look the other way when it comes to the accessibility section and cut corners. There are many issues associated with non-compliance websites. However, it can be divided into two sections based on its nature:
- Non-legal issues
- Legal Issues
Non-legal Issues
Non-compliant websites have lower audience scope as people with diverse abilities won’t be able to access them. The WCAG which oversees popular web standard platforms like HTML, CSS, etc. will make it almost impossible to create a website without following these standards. Organizations may also damage their reputation if users complain about it on social media.
Legal Issues
There are many laws and sections worldwide that can open Pandora’s box when the website isn’t compliant. Non-compliant organizations are heavily penalized in addition to making their website accessible. Legal battles against the government will surely cost much more than making the website accessible.
AEL Data has a team of compliance specialists who take care of every minute aspect related to websites and make them accessible at a reasonable cost. Our organization specializes in three accessibility standard guidelines:
- AODA
- Section 508 Compliance
- EN 301 549
