Digital accessibility is now an essential issue for any company that wants to reach a broad and diverse audience. Yet, too many websites and applications are still designed without considering the needs of people with disabilities.
With the introduction of new European regulations, making a platform accessible will no longer be optional but mandatory. So, how can you ensure optimal accessibility from the design phase of a digital project?
Why make your website or application accessible ?
A matter of inclusion and ethics
Nearly 27% of the European population lives with a disability that can affect their web navigation (visual, auditory, motor, or cognitive impairment). This represents 101 million people. An inaccessible interface means excluding a significant portion of your users.
A legal obligation in Europe
With the European Accessibility Act, more and more websites and applications will have to comply with strict standards or face penalties.
Standing out from the competition
Currently, very few websites are truly accessible. Recent studies show that 94% of websites do not meet accessibility standards, and some estimates suggest that less than 1% of the web is fully accessible. Making your site compliant gives you a competitive edge.
A positive impact on SEO and user experience
An accessible website follows best practices that can also improve SEO and enhance user experience for a broader audience.
Some best practices for an accessible website (among many others)
- Improve contrast and readability → Visually impaired users must be able to clearly distinguish content.
- Add alternative descriptions to images → Essential for screen reader users.
- Facilitate keyboard navigation → Ensure usability without a mouse.
- Properly structure content → Use appropriate HTML tags for better interpretation by assistive technologies.
➡️ Web accessibility is a commitment that benefits everyone and strengthens your brand image.
At Contraste Digital, we help our clients make their platforms more accessible.