Getting Started

A short overview of Accessibility requirements in product and marketing channels. This section provides guidlines that is to be followed when carrying out development or creating material for Claromentis.

What is Accessibility

Accessibility is essentially a way of allowing all your potential users access to your product. It should work universally whatever people's hardware, software, language, location, or ability.

The 5 categories main of accessibility to take into account are:

• Visual – people who are severely sight impaired (blind), partially sighted or colour blind;
• Auditory – people who are deaf or hard of hearing;
• Motor – people who may find it difficult to use a mouse, keyboard or other common input methods;
• Cognitive – people who are dyslexic, autistic or have learning difficulties;
• Temporarily disabled users (e.g. one-handed phone users)

When a product is accessible - it creates no barriers to access for users, meaning it is inclusive of all people. This aligns with the 'Care' Core Claromentis value.

Accessibility is a constraint that allows for more creativity, not less.

"When websites and web tools are properly designed and coded, people with disabilities can use them. However, currently many sites and tools are developed with accessibility barriers that make them difficult or impossible for some people to use." Source: https://www.w3.org/WAI/fundamentals/accessibility-intro/

Assistive technology (AT) is an umbrella term that includes assistive, adaptive, and rehabilitative devices for people who face the challenges above.

Why is it important

• Inclusiveness: Creating an accessible product results in a more inclusive experience, which is beneficial for the greater good.
• Customer retention & acquisition: The ability to better serve existing customers while also reaching out to a new segment of the market that the competitors may have neglected.
• Legal compliance: Following accessibility requirements may be required, and failing to do so may result in legal consequences.
• Building trust & reputation: Being genuinely accessible can help a company's brand.

Taken from: What Is Web Accessibility? How to Make Your Content Inclusive)

Testing Web Accessibility

Ideally we want to test anything created using the following:

• Screen Readers (e.g. VoiceOver on iPhone, iPad & Mac)
• Screen Magnifiers (e.g. screen Zoom on iPhone, iPad & Mac)
• Voice Recognition
• Keyboard Input

Additional resources

The following tools can help to test for Accessibility

• Web Accessibility Evaluation Tool (WAVE)
• Google Lighthouse Audit Tool
• aXe browser extension
• WCAG Accessibility Audit Developer UI
• SiteImprove Accessibility Checker

A list of useful resources for further reading on Accessibility

• A friendly tutorial for developing meaningful web pages