The digital age has created solutions to a multitude of problems, and technology has become a necessary component of everyday life. Internet usage is now not just convenient but often unavoidable or mandatory for access to communication channels, services, and information. For those with disabilities, internet usage may have to be facilitated with other assistive technology such as screen readers and text readers.
The goal for any software solution in the web accessibility space is to ensure that those with disabilities are able to properly access and use websites and web applications. Some of these software options monitor websites or perform audits for measurable accessibility metrics. Other solutions are intended for use by individuals themselves and assist them in modifying or facilitating their website experience in real time.
Key Benefits of Website Accessibility Software
Compliance — Most businesses are concerned with web accessibility because of regulations surrounding it, notably the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). While there aren’t currently any federal-level ramifications for noncompliance with the ADA, there are state-level penalties including heavy fines.
Usability — Businesses should be primarily concerned with web accessibility because people with disabilities may not be able to access their services or applications without accommodation. If a website isn’t optimized for a screen reader or isn’t compatible with alternative input devices, then businesses are potentially failing to reach out to potential buyers. Even worse, they’re alienating an entire section of their potential or current user base.
The vast majority of a business’ employees and customers will not handle web accessibility tools from either a development or need standpoint. Small businesses will often forego compliance with web accessibility standards since it is not a main priority, or they’ll bundle web accessibility concerns to their development team. Larger companies will have a small team dedicated to web accessibility.
However, web accessibility is still an important component of a business’ web presence, and dedicating time and resources to it can ensure all of their user base is accounted for in design.
People with Disabilities — It goes without saying that people with disabilities are the most likely to work with web accessibility software. Many hardware tools like alternative input devices or screen readers will require specific software to function as well. Some web accessibility tools don’t need to work with a hardware apparatus to support users, including text readers and screen magnification software.
Web Accessibility Professionals — Website accessibility is its own discipline with its own dedicated professionals, who specialize in monitoring websites and making modifications to make them more accessible. In large companies, it isn’t uncommon for a singular person to handle web accessibility for a particular application or for their whole website. Some companies have even bundled in those concerns with their development team’s responsibilities.
Some web accessibility professionals have disabilities themselves, and their experience using accessibility hardware and software in their daily lives makes them excellent judges of a website’s accessibility. It isn’t always the case, however, and plenty of people without disabilities serve as accessibility experts as well.
From many avenues, website accessibility software can assist in facilitating website usage by people with disabilities. Some web accessibility tools are used by those with disabilities themselves while others assist website owners in monitoring their usability and offering them tools to modify their website.
Website Accessibility Monitoring and Auditing — For businesses, their web accessibility concerns are mostly in monitoring and auditing full websites and singular web pages for compliance. These tools can audit websites once over and present the changes that need to be made or consistently monitor websites for compliance failures.
These tools will point out aspects of a website that are noncompliant with accessibility regulations or noncompatible with accessibility technology like screen readers. Many solutions will allow users to make the necessary modifications from the application itself, while others can make changes automatically as problems arise.
Assistive Technology Software — Assistive technology is used by those with disabilities who require additional hardware apparatuses and/or software solutions to use digital devices. Assistive technology software is sometimes used in conjunction with a hardware tool to allow individuals to use a computer. These software solutions can also make modifications to web pages themselves to make them easier to use.
While most assistive technology software is deployed user-side, there are software tools that can be deployed by developers and website owners. Some developer-side software options allow website owners to present accessibility-assistive tools to users from the website itself. Other tools help developers make accessibility-conscious decisions and design choices when developing or modifying their website.
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