In the current environment, the internet is arguably the most powerful resource available to the people. It provides them access to more information than they could ever digest in a lifetime. The information available on the web can have multiple uses for people, and can change millions of lives. But like most other things in the world, internet is not perfect. There are many issues linked with it, accessibility being a major one. A lot of people cannot take full advantage of the internet, especially the people with some sort of a disability. By using artificial intelligence and automation, companies like AccessiBe focuses on providing resources that help in making the web more accessible.
World Wide Web Consortium, also known as W3C, created the Web Accessibility Initiative to provide standards that help in making sure that the internet can easily be used by as many people as possible. In most instances, web accessibility goes a long way in enabling disabled users to enjoy the best possible browsing experience possible. Here are their few use cases:
- Vision Impairment: Alternative text or alt text often accompanies images, while describing its content. It comes in handy for users having impaired vision, who use screen readers to ‘read’ and understand images. If images do not have alt text, they will become inaccessible to users with vision impairment. One just needs to choose to edit image options to change or improve alt text. After doing so, they will have to add alt text where indicated. It is always a good idea to go with simple and straightforward description of the image.
- Hearing Impairment: Any hearing-impaired user that does not have an alternative way of interacting with audio files can be missing out a large aspect of the online experience. Fortunately, many websites are gradually offering audio transcripts for their videos and more.
- Physically disabled users: In case users are not able to use particular computer peripherals like the mouse, they would need to use assistive technologies. This can include speech-to-text software, magnifiers or screen readers. Other users who lack the ability of using a mouse or keyboard can also use voice recognition software.
All companies must try their best to help people to gain an understanding of how their products or services can improve their lives, and contribute to the convenience and well-being. Websites should also be created with the same understanding.
AccessiBe uses two components that help in achieving WCAG compliance together. The foreground application handles the UI and design accessibility concerns, thereby enabling people with particular disabilities to adjust the UI and design of the website as per their needs. This includes content highlighting, audio muting, animations, as well as font and color handling. There is even an option for search engine provides that allows people with cognitive disorders to decipher meanings of words and phrases without much of an issue.
