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Web Accessibility: A Complete Guide

Source: https://www.wte.net/Blog/March-2023/Web-Accessibility-A-Complete-Guide
Date: March 2023
Author: Eric Garrison

Introduction

The author shares a personal story about Duncan, the father of a colleague, who suffered from macular degeneration and struggled to use inaccessible websites. This experience motivated the author to prioritize accessibility in web design and led to discovering accessiBe as a partnership solution.

How Website Accessibility Protects Your Company, Brands & Reputation

The CDC reports that approximately one in four Americans—86 million people—have disabilities and use the internet. Inaccessible websites frustrate these users, damaging customer relationships and business reputation. The author emphasizes that frustrated customers rarely make purchases or become advocates.

What is Website Accessibility?

Website accessibility refers to designing sites that people with visual, auditory, motor, and cognitive disabilities can use effectively. Key importance areas include:

  • Inclusion: Ensures equal opportunities for all users regardless of abilities
  • Accessibility Laws: Compliance with ADA, WCAG standards, and Section 508 regulations is legally mandated; violations risk lawsuits and fines
  • Usability: Accessibility improvements benefit all visitors through better navigation and design
  • Reach: Expands market to millions of people with disabilities
  • SEO: Accessibility practices enhance search engine rankings
  • Ethics: Digital accessibility represents a civil right and responsibility

What is accessiBe?

AccessiBe is an AI-powered accessibility solution created by people with disabilities and assistive technology experts. It guarantees compliance with WCAG 2.1, ADA, and federal Section 508 regulations. The software automates accessibility updates as regulations change, eliminating manual maintenance burdens.

Case Study: Why accessiBe is Cheap

A client's accessibility audit revealed:

  • Website Code: Successfully built with proper structure
  • Menus, Tables, Image Carousels: Neutral performance; AI enhancement could improve user experience
  • Titles: Failed (missing SEO parameters)
  • Readability: Failed (insufficient color contrast, no large font options)
  • Clickability: Failed (missing descriptive tags and instructions for images, buttons, and interactive elements)

Cost Justification:

ADA lawsuits are increasing 12% annually. According to accessibility expert Kris Rivenburgh, "If you receive a website (or app) accessibility demand letter under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) (or other anti-discrimination law) $25,000 is a conservative final tab after everything is finished."

AccessiBe's annual fee includes:

  1. Tax Credits: Businesses can receive up to $5,000 annually in tax credits for accessibility improvements, reducing net costs
  2. Litigation Support: AccessiBe provides accessibility certificates and legal assistance if demand letters are received

How WTE Does Accessibility

WTE builds accessibility tools into websites using AgileSite, AgileSite Lite, or PointShop Enterprise, but clients often fail to use these features consistently. AccessiBe provides AI-enabled backup to ensure compliance without depending on manual human effort.

Do The Right Thing

The accessiBe widget appears on every page, offering adjustments for: - Color and display options - Screen reader functionality - Keyboard navigation - Content adjustments for users with various disabilities

The software scans websites daily, updates automatically when regulations change, and allows visitors to customize their experience based on individual needs.

Free Trial & Demo

WTE offers: - Free accessibility audits to assess WCAG and ADA compliance - Seven-day free accessiBe trial - Installation assistance for existing WTE platform clients - Support for adding accessiBe code to non-WTE websites

Contact: support@wte.net or 1 (866) 994-7467

Author Bio: Eric Garrison, Founder & CEO, WTE Solutions — eg@wte.net