• 1.3 billion people globally have disabilities.
• In 2023, 4,605 ADA digital accessibility lawsuits were filed.
• 56% of images are not accessible to people with visual impairments.
• Businesses lose $6.9 billion annually due to inaccessible websites.
• 1 in 4 online forms are missing important labels for people with disabilities.

Benefits of Improving Accessibility

1. Reach More Users
Accessibility ensures that more people, including those with disabilities, can engage with your content.

2. Positive Brand Image
Demonstrating inclusivity enhances your brand’s reputation and can increase customer loyalty.

3. Better User Experience
Accessible websites are easier to navigate, reducing bounce rates and improving engagement.

4. Avoid Legal Issues
Compliance with accessibility laws protects your business from lawsuits and fines.

5. Boost SEO

Search engines favor accessible sites, which can improve your search rankings.

Key Accessibility Standards in Australia

1. WCAG 2.1 – Guidelines for making web content accessible.
2. Disability Discrimination Act (1992) – Requires websites to be accessible to all users.
3. Australian Government’s Digital Service Standard – Sets criteria for government website accessibility.
4. Australian Human Rights Commission – Provides resources to help with compliance.
5. National Transition Strategy – Supports government agencies in meeting WCAG standards.

Steps to Improve Website Accessibility

1. Design for Visual Accessibility
o Use high contrast and readable font sizes.
o Provide alt text for images.
2. Ensure Auditory Accessibility
o Add captions and transcripts for all audio and video content.
3. Improve Navigation
o Use keyboard-friendly navigation and visible focus indicators.
4. Enhance Cognitive Accessibility
o Provide clear instructions and error messages.
5. Responsive Design
o Ensure your site works on all devices.
6. Legal Compliance
o Keep an updated accessibility statement and perform regular audits.
7. User Testing
o Gather feedback from users with disabilities to make ongoing improvements.

Tools for Checking Accessibility

• Accessibility Checker – Check for ADA & WCAG compliance.
• WAVE – Evaluate color contrast and web accessibility.
• WeAreColorBlind – Test your design for color blindness.