Why web accessibility is like your mandatory vehicle inspection
So, you’ve checked your website. Maybe you used an accessibility tool or hired a professional to ensure your web asset is genuinely accessible. Whether you did this for peace of mind, to avoid lawsuits, or simply as a standard procedure, the goal was clear—you wanted your site to be accessible, and so it is.
So, Am I Accessible Now—and Will I Always Be?
First and foremost, if you used a professional to make your website accessible, there’s a good chance it is. Using only a web accessibility tool without clear procedures can be problematic (stay tuned for my future post, “When the Circles Made the Rules for the Squares,” to understand the complexity). However, excellent tools provide a process that covers your legal concerns or makes your site accessible. But here’s the catch—accessibility is an ongoing process, not a one-time fix.
Why Accessibility Requires Constant Attention
As your digital asset evolves, so must its accessibility. Any changes you make to your website—whether done by you or a professional—could inadvertently disrupt its accessibility. Even small changes, like adding a video without subtitles or updating a WordPress extension, can introduce accessibility barriers and render your once-compliant site inaccessible again.
This transforms accessibility from a simple “bar” to cross into a routine maintenance task that must be monitored, inspected, and updated regularly.
What Should We Do?
Today, advanced tools and methods are available to address the ever-changing accessibility landscape. Web inclusivity shouldn’t be viewed as a burden but rather as a way to ensure that no one is excluded. Think of a friend who can’t enter a restaurant because it doesn’t accommodate wheelchairs. The internet can potentially become a space of true equality—a digital realm where physical disabilities no longer limit access.
Your website’s accessibility plays a vital role in this vision. For numbers-driven people, try Googling “purple pond” and prepare to be amazed.
Steps to Maintain Web Accessibility:
- Start by caring: Regularly check your web assets for accessibility errors.
- Use a professional: Whether through a SaaS solution or an actual human expert, ensure your site remains accessible.
- Keep maintenance in mind: Recheck accessibility after every change and at least once a year.
- Don’t ignore accessibility: Those “small chores” are the most critical aspect of your digital presence.
