When it comes to your wallet, reputation, and brand, failing to make sure that your software complies with accessibility guidelines and can be used by as many people as possible may be devastating.  

However, if you believe that staying on top of accessibility concerns comes down to a technical to-do list and a liability insurance policy, think again. The correct thing to do is to provide an accessible user experience (UX), and there are many moral, legal, and practical justifications for this. However, you also don’t want to pass up the opportunity to provide a fantastic UX for everyone. This is why. 

1. Legal compliance 

According to Seyfarth, the Americans with Disabilities Act will be the subject of more than 2,500 litigation in federal courts in the United States in 2020. The number of lawsuits increased by 12% from 2019 to this point. More businesses must adhere to regulatory requirements and offer high levels of accessibility to all users. For instance, starting in 2001, all U.S. government agencies must comply with accessibility criteria when purchasing, utilizing, and creating various communication technologies, per the Workforce Rehabilitation Act (or Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act).  

By doing accessibility testing on their products, product manufacturers may steer clear of several legal entanglements and penalties (or websites). 

2. Improved SEO 

Accessibility-friendly websites have better SEO because they include rich text content, which makes it easier for search engines to locate them while seeking pertinent information. A better SEO rating increases the likelihood that search engines will send more visitors to the website, which will increase conversions and income.  

Additionally, accessibility testing enables the development of programmes and websites with easier user interfaces and navigation, hence lowering bounce rates and promoting regular usage by more people. 

3. Enable access for persons with disabilities. 

The fact that over 20% of people have some form of handicap must be mentioned at this point. These impairments might be physical, mental, or hearing impairments, among others. Any program released on the market must consider this group of users. Usability testing is crucial because of this. 

4. Improved brand 

Businesses can improve their brand image and reputation, boost sales and customer loyalty, and, of course, reap all the financial rewards of having a diverse and inclusive workforce by demonstrating a strong commitment to digital accessibility for both consumers and their own employees. 

5. Checklist for Accessibility Testing 

Here are some criteria that are used to determine if the application is accessible or not.  

• Every mouse, joystick, or Windows activity requires the display of a virtual keyboard. 
• A user manual that is straightforward to read and comprehend should be included with the program or application whenever it is deemed appropriate. 
• The tab button should allow the user to switch between controls and objects. The movement needs to have a smooth flow and be consecutive or logical.  
• The application’s color scheme is appropriate and readable for all users. Aim to make the audio and visual material accessible to those with impairments. 

• Users ought to have control over any audio and visual choices if there are any. The default fonts and music should be modifiable by the user to suit his or her preferences.  
• The user must be able to utilize the conventional shortcut keys to move through the program, especially for menu items. 
• The software ought to work with all or the majority of regularly used operating systems. 
• The application’s image and photo selection should be reasonable and simple for users to grasp. 

6. Conclusion 

To make any issues easier to repair, it’s often advisable to test accessibility early and frequently during the software development cycle. However, if you haven’t given accessibility any attention yet, you’re not the only one, and it’s still not too late.  

You may perform a preliminary accessibility scan using a variety of free automated tools, such as WAVE. Tools by themselves, however, are insufficient since they fall short of meeting all accessibility standards. Only people utilizing assistive technology can test some things. This involves testing conducted by actual users who have unique skills. 

With the help of engineers with diverse abilities and accessibility specialists from TestDel, accessibility issues may be found and, more importantly, fixed throughout your applications, websites, and documentation. Get in touch with us to learn how our devoted staff can be mobilized within 24 hours to guarantee high performance and seamless integration with assistive features for all platforms, including desktop, online, and mobile.