Why you should have an accessibility audit?

Legal Case

Your website MUST be accessible to everyone – if it is not then you are breaking the law.

Think of a website like a building. These days you have to provide for wheelchair access to buildings and if you do not then you run the risk of being sued. The same thing applies to your website.

People who are disadvantaged in some way, through Blindness, movement difficulties, or other forms of disability, often rely on the Internet to live a more normal life. Fortunately Governments around the world have recognised this and created legislation making it law that your website MUST be accessible to ALL people regardless of their disability. E.g.

UK Disability Discrimination Act
Australian Commonwealth Disability Discrimination Act
US Section 508

Moral Case

There are obvious moral issues regarding accessibility in websites and this provides an opportunity for you to promote your business as one that cares and has consideration for anyone using your website. This would help cement or show your business as one that cares and help build or retain your good reputation.

Good Business Sense

If your website is not accessible to Everyone then you are potentially missing out on millions of opportunities, as according to the DRC, 1 in 7 people are affected by some form of disability. However it may not just be people with disabilities that you are putting up barriers to, many people use technology that are not regarded as “the norm” i.e. those using older or different browsers or platforms, or indeed mobile devices that offer Internet connectivity.

Other benefits of accessible web design are :-

A reduction in site maintenance costs
A potential increase in your customer base, leading to potential sales increase and audience reach.
Improved search engine listings
Reduced bandwidth usage and server loads

These in turn can result in your business becoming more profitable.

For a more in depth explanation of the main reasons for making your website accessible to everyone please do not hesitate to call us on +44 (0) 8707 607 123.