Web Accessibility is the means of making a website accessible to everyone, regardless of one’s (dis)abilities.
At Digital Mountaineers, we believe everyone should have equal access to information. Complete inclusion of the disabled needs to be a priority for businesses of all sizes & industries. Not only is it the right thing to do, it is required under US law.
PERCENTAGE OF AMERICANS WITH A DISABILITY
MILLION DISABLED AMERICANS PREVENTED FROM ONLINE USAGE
BILLION DISABLED HUMANS WORLDWIDE
MILLION HUMANS AFFECTED BY COLOR BLINDNESS
The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) is an international community where member organizations, staff, and the public work together to develop inclusive web standards. The Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI), a part of W3C, is the foremost expert on web accessibility.
The latest Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) standards developed are WCAG 2.1. The WAI is always working diligently on ensuring WCAG standards are at their peak level of inclusivity. As they update their standards, Digital Mountaineers ensures that all web accessibility projects meet them completely.
WCAG standards are categorized into three levels: A, AA, AAA (the highest standard being Level AAA). Below, we have explained each level and outlined what type of entity would seek that value of WCAG compliance.
WCAG 2.1 Level A defines websites that meet the latest web accessibility guidelines at the minimum level (Level A). This includes all the basics that any website should have (Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, and Robust), such as ensuring non-text content has a text alternative.
Websites that may be interested in a Level A Digital Mountaineers Web Accessibility Seal are:
WCAG 2.1 Level AA defines websites that meet the latest web accessibility guidelines at the medium level (Level AA). This includes things like captions on pre-recorded media, contrast minimums (for those who are color-blind), and consistency throughout content (e.g. menus appear in same order everywhere).
Websites that may be interested in a Level AA Digital Mountaineers Web Accessibility Seal are:
WCAG 2.1 Level AAA defines websites that meet the latest web accessibility guidelines at the highest level (Level AAA). This includes things like sign language interpretation for pre-recorded media, the ability to navigate an entire website with only a keyboard, and having all acronyms and abbreviations easily defined.
Websites that may be interested in a Level AAA Digital Mountaineers Web Accessibility Seal are:
Yes! Although there is still some debate, it is important to act as if ADA does apply to websites. There has been a cascade of web accessibility lawsuits in the past few years that suggest the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) applies to websites.
Concerned you are not in compliance with ADA? If your website meets WCAG Level AA standards, you are likely in compliance with the ADA.
While ADA applies to all websites, it may be of particular concern to large businesses as well as all public entities (e.g. public transit companies, school districts, official town/city websites, etc.).
Disclaimer: Digital Mountaineers, LLC. does not provide legal advice. Consult your legal counsel for specific legal guidance.
We run a WCAG Compliance Diagnostic Scan on every page of your website. We analyze the findings, classify the accessibility issues, and put together a plan for bringing your website into WCAG compliance. Your report also outlines which issues are more easily remedied and which ones will require more time and resources.
If you aren’t sure which level of WCAG compliance you would like to pursue, don’t hesitate to reach out to us, we are happy to help.
For more information or special pricing, please email us at hello@digitalmountaineers.com.
During our no-cost demo, you’ll learn all about web accessibility, why it’s important, how to become ADA-compliant, about the current legal landscape, and how it all fits in with your organization.
We will discuss how web accessibility compliance can prevent litigious actions and reduce exclusion liability.
After our short demo, you’ll receive our complete Web Accessibility Deck and be assigned a web accessibility specialist that can help you coordinate your next steps to becoming accessible.
View other services offered by Digital Mountaineers.
Our mission simple: We aim to help those that help others. We do that by providing website design & development and digital marketing services to positive impact organizations. Through grants, fundraising, corporate sponsorships, and outright donations: Let's make a positive impact, together.
