Making Digital Content for Everyone: Our Accessibility Auditing Process
Ensuring your online content is accessible to everyone is essential. With the European Accessibility Act introducing new requirements this year, organizations must ensure their digital content is usable by people with various disabilities, including those who are blind or deaf. Let's dive into our thorough accessibility audit process and explore why it matters.
Our Unique Approach to Accessibility Auditing
What sets our accessibility audits apart is our inclusive team composition. We're proud to have two blind team members who are integral to our testing process. Their expertise and lived experience using screen readers provide invaluable insights into real-world accessibility challenges.
During our audits, they meticulously review websites, apps, and digital content using screen readers, creating comprehensive reports that highlight both successful implementations and areas needing improvement. This practical testing approach ensures we identify actual usability issues rather than just technical compliance.
Our Checklist
Screen Reader Compatibility
One of the fundamental aspects we evaluate is screen reader compatibility. Common issues we look for include:
Proper heading structure and labeling
Button accessibility and clear labeling
Link behavior notifications, especially for links opening in new tabs
Alternative text for images and visual content
Audio and Visual Content Accessibility
For deaf and hard-of-hearing users, we assess:
Presence and quality of subtitles for video content
Availability of sign language interpretation where appropriate
Clear transcripts for audio content
Visual Accessibility Features
We also evaluate support for various visual needs:
Color-blind mode options
Dyslexia-friendly features, such as customizable background colors
Text contrast options, including black-on-white, white-on-black, and alternative color schemes
High contrast mode availability for colorful websites
Standards and Compliance
While we use WCAG 2.1 (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) as our baseline standard, our approach goes beyond mere compliance. We understand that true accessibility means creating an inclusive experience for all users, regardless of their abilities or preferred way of interacting with digital content.
Our Audit Process
Initial Assessment: Our team, including our blind colleagues, performs a thorough review of your digital content using various assistive technologies.
Comprehensive Documentation: We compile detailed findings into a structured table, clearly identifying both successful accessibility implementations and areas requiring improvement.
Solutions Development: Based on our findings, we provide specific recommendations for improving accessibility, tailored to your content and user needs.
Implementation Support: If needed, we can assist in implementing the recommended changes to ensure your digital content meets accessibility standards.
Beyond Basic Compliance
True digital accessibility goes beyond checking boxes on a compliance list. It's about creating an inclusive digital environment where everyone can access and interact with content effectively. This might mean incorporating features like:
Adjustable text sizes and fonts
Multiple background color options
Customizable contrast settings
Clear navigation structures
Compatible markup for assistive technologies
Why This Matters
We care about making a difference in our world, especially with digital content. By making your content accessible, you're not only meeting legal requirements but also expanding your reach to a broader audience and demonstrating your commitment to inclusive design.
Every user deserves equal access to digital content, regardless of their abilities. Our comprehensive audit process helps identify barriers to accessibility and provides practical solutions to overcome them, ensuring your digital presence is truly inclusive.
Ready to make your digital content more accessible? Get in touch with us today to learn how we can help you create an inclusive digital experience for all users.
Email us: team@konnektis.com