Understanding Web Accessibility and Assistive Technologies

Web accessibility refers to making web content and applications accessible to people with disabilities, including visual, auditory, motor, cognitive, and language disabilities. It ensures that all users can access and use web content, regardless of their abilities or disabilities, fostering inclusivity and equity.

The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) are the international standard for accessibility. They provide organizations and governments with a framework for ensuring the inclusion of their digital properties. WCAG 2.2 includes level AA success criteria, often formally adopted and legally required by various jurisdictions to provide web content and mobile applications that meet accessibility standards.

The importance of WCAG 2.2 is particularly emphasized in current web accessibility standards, as it is frequently referenced in legislation and court decisions to protect against accessibility-related lawsuits.

WCAG 2.0 Guidelines and Principles

The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 are designed to make web content more accessible to people with disabilities. These guidelines are built around four core principles: Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, and Robust (POUR).

Perceivable

Key aspects include providing alternative text for images, ensuring sufficient colour contrast, and making navigation and links accessible.

Operable

This principle focuses on making web pages interactive and navigable. For instance, keyboard accessibility is crucial for users who cannot use a mouse. It allows them to navigate and interact with the site using only their keyboard.

Understandable

This principle aims to make web content easy to understand and use. It involves using clear and concise language, maintaining consistency and predictability in content, and providing clear feedback.

Robust

This principle ensures that various user agents, including assistive technologies, can reliably interpret web content.

Evaluating Accessibility Success Criteria

Accessibility evaluation involves assessing web content against WCAG guidelines and their testable success criteria using methods such as:

1. Automated Testing - functional for quickly identifying issues but limited in detecting user experience problems.

2. Manual Testing - helps evaluate accessibility nuances that automated tools might miss.

3. User Testing - engaging individuals with disabilities provides insights into real-world usability gaps.

Implementing Web Accessibility in Asset Management Firms

To adopt accessibility, asset management firms should:

1. Conduct Accessibility Audits

Identify gaps in digital content and applications.

2. Develop Accessibility Plans

Define actionable steps to address these gaps.

3. Provide Training

Educate staff on accessibility best practices. Assistive technology is crucial in ensuring web content is accessible to users with disabilities.

4. Implement Guidelines

Embed WCAG criteria into content development, ensuring the user interface is compatible with assistive technologies and native user agents.

5. Test Continuously

Use a combination of automated, manual, and user testing to ensure ongoing compliance.

Common Challenges and Solutions

1. Limited Resources

Solution: prioritize high-impact accessibility tasks and leverage affordable tools or consultants.

2. Lack of Expertise

Solution: train teams or hire accessibility experts to guide implementation.

3. Complex Web Content

Solution: simplify navigation and ensure interactive elements are fully accessible.

4. Limited Budget

Solution: start with low-cost tools and prioritize accessibility in early development phases to minimize costs later.

5. Multimedia Content

Solution: Implement audio description to provide key visual details through narration added to the soundtrack, by the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2. This will help users understand essential elements of the audiovisual material that the audio alone does not convey.

Best Practices for Web Accessibility Implementation

Implementing web accessibility best practices is essential to ensure that your website is usable by all users, including those with disabilities. Here are some key practices to consider:

• Alternative Text for Images

Always include descriptive alt text for images. This allows screen readers to convey the content of images to visually impaired users, ensuring they don’t miss out on important information.

• Color Contrast and Readability

Ensure sufficient contrast between text and background colours. This improves readability for users with visual impairments. Additionally, use readable font sizes and styles to enhance overall accessibility.

• Navigation and Links Accessible

Provide a clear and consistent navigation structure. Ensure that all links can be accessed and activated using a keyboard, which is crucial for users who cannot use a mouse.

• Closed Captions and Transcripts for Multimedia Content

Include closed captions for videos and audio descriptions for multimedia content. This will help users who are deaf or hard of hearing understand the content.

• Interactive Elements are Accessible

Make sure that a keyboard can access and operate forms, buttons, and other interactive elements. This is vital for users with motor disabilities.

• Provide a Clear and Consistent Way to Submit Forms

Ensure that form submission processes are straightforward and all form fields are accessible via keyboard. Clear instructions and error messages help users complete forms successfully.

• Ensure Content is Consistent and Predictable

Maintain consistency in the layout and behaviour of web pages. Predictable content helps users with cognitive disabilities navigate and understand the site more easily.

• Provide Clear and Consistent Feedback

Offer clear feedback for user actions, such as error and confirmation messages. This helps users understand the results of their actions and what steps to take next.

• Ensure Content is Accessible Using Assistive Technologies

Test your website with various assistive technologies, such as screen readers and braille displays, to ensure compatibility and accessibility.

• Test Your Website for Accessibility

Test your website regularly using both automated tools and manual methods. This will help you identify and address accessibility issues and ensure ongoing compliance with WCAG guidelines.

Why Asset Management Firms Can't Afford to Ignore Web Content Accessibility Guidelines

1. Legal Compliance and Risk Mitigation

Non-compliance with WCAG risks lawsuits, fines, and reputational damage. As accessibility-related legal cases rise, aligning with standards such as the Unified Web Site Accessibility Guidelines is critical to avoid these risks.

2. Ethical Responsibility and Inclusivity

Accessibility ensures equal opportunities for people with disabilities, demonstrating a firm’s commitment to ethical practices and social responsibility. It also aligns with ESG criteria, appealing to socially conscious investors.

3. Market Expansion and Competitive Edge

Accessible platforms improve usability for all users, helping firms reach new markets and attract diverse clients, including those seeking ethical investment opportunities.

4. SEO and Performance Benefits

WCAG principles like straightforward navigation and alternative text improve usability and SEO, driving more traffic and enhancing visibility.

5. Cost Efficiency

Embedding accessibility early in development is more cost-effective than retrofitting solutions later. It also minimizes the risks of future legal costs and reputational loss.

6. Enhanced Governance Practices

Accessibility aligns with global governance standards, showcasing accountability and building stakeholder trust.

Additional Considerations for Accessibility

Real-World Challenges

Asset management platforms often involve complex data visualizations, secure portals, and detailed forms. Solutions include an accessible design for charts, proper labelling, and keyboard operability.

Emerging Technologies

Firms adopting AI, blockchain, or data analytics must ensure these tools are accessible to all users.

Global Reach

Providing multilingual, accessible content caters to diverse regional audiences.

Tracking Success

Use metrics like compliance scores, user feedback, and engagement rates to evaluate accessibility efforts.

Conclusion

Adhering to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) is crucial for making your website accessible to all users, including those with disabilities.

By following the principles and guidelines outlined in WCAG 2.2, you can create web content that is perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust. Implementing best practices for web accessibility further ensures that your website is usable and inclusive.

By prioritizing accessibility, asset management firms can enhance user experience, comply with legal requirements, and demonstrate their commitment to inclusivity and social responsibility.

We can assist you if you need help implementing WCAG on your websites and/or systems. Schedule a meeting.