What does accessibility / web accessibility mean?

Web accessibility, also known as web accessibility, refers to the design and development of websites and digital content in a way that ensures that people with different abilities, including physical, visual, auditory and cognitive impairments, can use them easily. The main goal of web accessibility is to ensure that all users, regardless of their abilities or limitations, can access and use web content and services effectively.

The main principles and aspects of web accessibility are:

1. Perceivability: Web content must be designed in such a way that it can be perceived by all users. This means that text alternatives for images, subtitles for multimedia content and scalable text should be provided without loss of content or functionality.
2. Operability (operability): Websites and applications must be operable by persons with disabilities. This means that users who rely on keyboard navigation or voice commands must be able to use the website effectively.
3. Comprehensibility (Understandable): Content and navigation should be presented in a clear and understandable way. This includes providing consistent and predictable user interfaces and ensuring that information is also understandable for users with cognitive limitations.
4. Robustness (Robust): Web content should be robust and compatible with different user agents, including assistive technologies. This ensures that the user experience remains consistent, regardless of the browsers or assistive technologies used.

Various guidelines and standards have been developed to ensure web accessibility, with the "Web Content Accessibility Guidelines" (WCAG) being the best known and most widely used guidelines. WCAG sets out specific success criteria and techniques for making web content more accessible. These guidelines are often divided into three levels of conformance: A, AA and AAA, with AA being the most commonly targeted level.

Web accessibility is not only a moral and ethical obligation, but also a legal requirement in many countries. In the USA, for example, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act stipulate that web content and services must be accessible to people with disabilities.

By implementing web accessibility best practices, website owners and developers ensure that their digital content can be used by all, improving inclusivity and usability for people with disabilities and promoting equal and accessible online access.