The world today is one of inclusion and easy access, and making content accessible to everyone is a most basic requirement. The World Health Organization (WHO) states that over 1 billion people worldwide have disabilities. According to the CDC in the U.S., 27% of adults exhibit some form or the other of a disability. This highlights the social responsibility of digital publishers to make digital content accessible and inclusive.
Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act specifies requirements for creating and maintaining digital or electronic content. Similarly, under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), originally designed for physical spaces, courts have extended their application to digital environments, including websites and digital publications. Inaccessible digital content could lead to lawsuits.
Furthermore, making content accessible protects your brand’s reputation and builds audience trust. The four key accessibility principles are perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust (POUR). Adhering to these standards mitigates legal complications and demonstrates a dedication to diversity, enhancing your rapport with readers.
Here are some steps that you can take to ensure that your digital content is accessible.
Adopt Accessible Typography
Select legible fonts for body content. Stick to sans-serif fonts such as Arial or Verdana, and ensure the font size is 12 points. Avoid fancy fonts like Brush Script or Curlz MT, which can be challenging to read for those with visual impairments.
Use Alt Text for Images
All images—technical illustrations, conceptual drawings, or decorative photos—must have descriptive alt-text. For example, an image of a graph could include alt text like: “Bar chart showing sales growth from January to June with a 20% increase in revenue.”This allows users with visual impairments to understand the content through a screen reader.
Provide Text Transcripts for Multimedia
For all photos and videos, include a text transcript or audio description. For instance, a video about environmental conservation could have a transcript for the audio and other text that describes the visuals, like: “Video shows sweeping landscapes of forests and rivers, with narration discussing the importance of protecting natural habitats. “This helps not only individuals with hearing impairments but also non-native speakers.
Implement Accessible Navigation
Ensure that your content is accessible via keyboard commands. For instance, include skip-to- content links, clear headings, and logical tab orders. This makes navigation easier for users with mechanical impairments. For example, a website could allow users to press “Tab” to jump directly to the main content, bypassing repetitive menus.
The European Accessibility Act (EAA) directive demands that all products and services, eBooks and digital content, be accessible within the European Union by 2025. Following these best practices, digital publishers can create inclusive, accessible content. The output will be digital content that meets compliance requirements and aligns with global standards, benefiting audiences worldwide.
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