Web accessibility: Definition, challenges, and explanations

Web accessibility refers to the set of techniques and principles that enable all people, including those with disabilities, to access and use a website or online application. It aims to eliminate barriers that could prevent certain people from browsing, reading, or interacting with web content.

These features apply to different types of disabilities, whether visual, auditory, motor, or cognitive. Accessibility is based on international standards, notably the WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines), which provide technical and ergonomic recommendations for making web content accessible.

In summary, web accessibility ensures that digital technology is inclusive and usable by everyone, regardless of their situation or abilities.

Web accessibility is essential for promoting digital inclusion. It allows people with disabilities to access online content and services, which is a fundamental right and a legal requirement in many countries.

Beyond its ethical aspect, accessibility also improves the user experience for everyone, especially for older people, users with slow internet connections, or those using a variety of devices.

In addition, making a website accessible can expand the reach of a service, increase its credibility, and improve its search engine optimization (SEO), as search engines value well-structured and accessible websites.

Web accessibility is implemented through technical and ergonomic best practices that are integrated from the design stage and throughout the development of a website or application.

Specifically, this includes the use of alternative text for images, full keyboard navigation, a clear semantic structure using appropriate HTML tags, and sufficient contrast between text and background.

Websites are often tested with specific tools and users with disabilities to verify their compliance with standards such as WCAG, ensuring a smooth and accessible experience for all.

Advantages:

• Digital inclusion: enables a wider audience, including people with disabilities, to access content.
• Improved overall user experience, beneficial for everyone.
• Legal compliance: in many countries, this is a regulatory requirement.
• Better natural referencing thanks to clear and well-structured code.
• Positive image of the brand or company, committed to social responsibility.

Disadvantages:

• Additional cost and time required to integrate best practices for accessibility.
• May require specific training for developers and designers.
• Increased technical complexity for certain interactive or multimedia elements.
• Compliance checks can be lengthy and complex.

An e-commerce site that provides alternative descriptions for all images so that visually impaired users can understand the products via a screen reader.

A mobile app with fully keyboard-accessible navigation and buttons large enough for people with motor difficulties.

An information website that uses subtitled videos and text transcripts for audio content, making it easier for deaf or hard-of-hearing people to access.

• W3C WCAG - Web Content Accessibility Guidelines
• MDN Web Docs - Accessibility
• WAVE - Accessibility Evaluation Tool
• WebAIM - Resources and tools for accessibility
• Paciello Group - Accessibility Tools