The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) provide a framework for creating inclusive websites that cater to the needs of all users, including those with disabilities and impairments. Considering that over 1.5 million people in the UK have a learning difficulty, and nearly 2.5 million people in the UK have a manual dexterity issue, it is crucial for your website to have optimal accessibility standards.
However, implementing WCAG best practices can be a complex process. This is where digital agencies like ClerksWell come into play, offering expertise to help companies create accessible and inclusive online experiences.
In this blog, we will explore WCAG's best practices and discuss how a digital agency can assist companies in achieving website accessibility.
The WCAG guidelines outline several best practices for creating accessible websites. Here are some key areas to focus on:
At ClerksWell, we can create accessible and inclusive web experiences. Here's how ClerksWell can assist your company:
An Accessibility Review: Upon determining the desired level of conformance, our experts at ClerksWell will conduct an in-depth review of your website, recommending practical modifications to ensure compliance with WCAG 2.0 or 2.2 AA guidelines. The assessment involves checking your site across multiple devices, focusing on common issues like keyboard accessibility, alt text, lack of multimedia alternatives, and colour contrasts. Furthermore, our team will investigate the potential of integrating third-party tools such as ReciteMe, which we successfully implemented for our client ABPI Schools.
This tool enhances accessibility compliance by offering additional features like language translations and screen reading capabilities. Using our expert's knowledge of accessibility in conjunction with a third-party tool, you can be sure that your website will be WCAG compliant, as using a third-party tool can miss about 29% of accessibility issues.
Content Fixes: ClerksWell is committed to ensuring your website is accessible and user-friendly. Our team will collaborate with your content creators to pinpoint crucial front-end and content concerns that should be addressed. This includes elements such as H1 headings and alt text for images and enhancing image captions. By addressing these priority areas, we aim to optimise your site's accessibility in line with WCAG guidelines.
Development Fixes: Addressing specific accessibility issues necessitates expert intervention in development and design. At ClerksWell, our accessibility specialists are well-equipped to handle these tasks. Our team is proficient in WCAG AA 2.2 web accessibility guidelines. This ensures our client's websites are always compliant, providing a seamless and inclusive user experience.
Website accessibility is crucial for creating an inclusive online experience. WCAG guidelines provide a framework for web accessibility, but implementing them can be challenging. Digital agencies like ClerksWell bring expertise, knowledge, and experience to the table, helping companies create accessible websites that cater to the diverse needs of all users.
By partnering with a digital agency, companies can ensure that their websites meet WCAG standards and provide equal access to information.
Smart Energy GB website initially had restricted accessibility options. But through accessible development practices and the integration of ReciteMe and a 3rd party accessibility tool, we were able to ensure the Smart Energy GB website can be accessed by everyone, regardless of disability. Every step of our development process was directed by Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).
Other clients that have recently benefitted from accessibility assessment reviews include:
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