Cómo construir puentes con la accesibilidad

Digital accessibility is not an option, it is a fundamental necessity that directly impacts the lives of millions of people. In a world where technology is ubiquitous, creating accessible digital products is an inescapable responsibility for developers, designers and content creators.

Why is web accessibility more urgent than we think?

The current picture is worrying: 97.3% of websites analyzed in 2023 have at least one accessibility error. This statistic is even more alarming when we consider that 15% of the world's population lives with some kind of disability.

Inaccessibility affects various groups:

• People who are blind or have low vision.
• Neurodivergent people.
• Users with reduced mobility.
• Deaf people.
• Older adults.

What are the fundamental pillars of web accessibility according to the WCAG?

The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) establish four essential principles:

What does it mean for a site to be perceivable?

• Images should include descriptive alternative text.
• Videos need captions and transcripts.
• Tags must be correctly associated with their controls.

How do you ensure that a site is operable?

Operability is achieved by ensuring that content is accessible via:

• Mouse.
• Keyboard.
• Screen readers.

What makes a site understandable?

• The interface should be intuitive.
• If there is complexity, clear instructions should be provided.
• Navigation should be logical and consistent.

Why is it important for a site to be robust?

A robust site should:

• Work on a variety of devices.
• Implement responsive design.
• Maintain its functionality on different platforms.

How to implement accessibility effectively?

Accessibility should be a consideration from the beginning of development, not an additional feature. Some key points:

• Integrate accessibility testing into the development process.
• Consider a variety of usage scenarios.
• Test with real users who have different needs.
• Keep accessibility standards up to date.

Creating accessible digital products is not only ethically correct, but also extends the reach and impact of our digital solutions. Have you reviewed the accessibility of your digital projects? Share your experience and find out how we can build a more inclusive digital world together.