Food for thought

USD 8 trillion disposable income in the hands of disabled people and their families, but can they really shop on your online store? Research has demonstrated that none of the world’s top 50 websites meet the digital accessibility guidelines with more than one billion people, or 15% of the global population, reporting a disability affecting their ability to navigate websites.

BarrierBreak provides comprehensive retail accessibility testing solution that evaluates your business needs. Ensure your e-commerce websites & mobile applications conform to WCAG 2.0 & WCAG 2.1, and are Section 508 and ADA compliant. We also help you to create VPAT for your products and services to make it more attractive to government buyers and win more RFPs.

Retail trivia

Online shopping, also known as e-commerce, allows customers to buy goods and services directly from sellers on the website. It allows you to shop from the comfort of your home, at any time of day and any day of the year. On the other hand, sellers sell their products, regardless of whether the product is luxurious or meets the needs of the customer, on such portals. It can be difficult for people with disabilities to know what the product contains.

In 2018, consumers around the world spent a total of $2.8 trillion on online retail sales, a figure that could rise to $4.8 trillion in 2021. If you don’t consider the impact of online retail accessibility or web accessibility on your e-commerce revenue margins, you’re giving away a slice of the pie to retailers who make online retail accessibility their priority.

Let’s dive deeper

The Covid-19 pandemic has accelerated a shift towards online shopping especially for people with disabilities which requires the focus to shift towards digital accessibility.

Customers with a disability encounter many barriers when navigating retail websites. Despite the need to access digital content, most retailers do not see where their access problems lie.

Many of these obstacles are minor inconveniences, but others make navigating the site difficult or impossible without help. While online shopping has its own advantages, accessibility barriers on many e-commerce websites, makes it difficult for people with disabilities enjoy the same experience as everyone else.

The Compound Effect

Companies that prioritize e-commerce accessibility during the pandemic are more likely to see their websites prioritized by Google than by their competitors.

• E-commerce accessibility leads to the removal of barriers to online shopping for people with disabilities and enhances overall user-experience. Customers make their purchases in the traditional way by viewing what the product looks like and reading the description, and when the e-commerce website is accessible, everyone has access to similar information regardless of their disability but can also make their purchase with confidence.
• The accessibility of your online retail shop will bring you more customers than any other sector of the economy, which is reason enough for you to take an action now! Improving the accessibility of websites is a tangible improvement that thousands, even millions, of people will notice. Improving websites that facilitate access to essential goods for people with disabilities during quarantine can have an immediate positive impact on businesses.  
• Another reason to ensure an accessible e-commerce website is legal requirement. From 2017 to 2018, web accessibility lawsuits and litigations rose by 181 percent. If there are any inaccessible sections on your website, it can be deemed discriminatory against persons with disabilities, which violates the accessibility standards and guidelines such as Section 508, WCAG and ADA.

As online retailers are a for-profit business and disabled and elderly people are targeted markets, it is vital that they work hard to make their websites accessible to this demographic.

Why Online Retail or E-commerce accessibility is important?

Here’s what G3ICT has to say, “Committing to inclusive design not only makes a retailer’s website accessible to customers with disabilities, but also creates a shopping environment that is easier for all customers to use. Streamlined designs load quicker.”

Our team of highly experienced accessibility testing team at BarrierBreak which include testers with disabilities, ensures accessible e-commerce website. We ensure that your retail website is in compliance with the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) in accordance with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG ). Write to sales@barrierbreak.com to help us support you.

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Did you know?

According to a survey, 70% of visually impaired people who use a screen reader use it on a mobile device with a view to Internet accessibility.

If you design a mobile app that will have more accessibility such as voice recognition and custom view controls, you will be able to reach a larger audience.

Web Content Accessibility Guidelines provide comprehensive best practices for developing and maintaining accessible websites and applications for desktop and mobile users. The latest WCAG guidelines, known as WCAG 2.1, set modern standards for barrier-free mobile technology with the aim of exceeding current legal requirements and achieving improved accessibility for users of mobile devices.

BarrierBreak believes that making any website or application accessible on mobile devices is equally important as making them accessible on desktops. We provide a very cost effective mobile accessibility testing service and follow a considerate approach towards ensuring accessibility of your mobile applications.

What is Mobile Accessibility?

Accessibility is the design of mobile apps for people with disabilities. The Web Accessibility Initiative of the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) has developed a series of best mobile practices to eliminate all kinds of barriers for disabled users.

According to the W3C Web Accessibility Initiative, mobile accessibility refers to making applications accessible to people with disabilities when using mobile devices. Various guidelines from operating system giants such as iOS and Android as well as the World Wide Web Commission (W3C) integrate accessibility into the design of mobile apps. Mobile site and native app testing methods are also available through Creative Commons funds, which can be used in conjunction with WCAG to ensure that websites and apps are accessible for people with disabilities when using mobile and tablet devices.

The Merit of Mobile Accessibility

One of the best things about advancing mobile applications and smartphones is enabling people with disabilities to access the mobile world. The transition to accessible mobile technologies is essential to continue our progress towards a fairer society that does not exclude people with disabilities and handicaps from the benefits of digital tools and services. When we talk about accessibility in the mobile environment, it means that websites and apps for handheld devices can be used by people with disabilities.

As the mobile accessibility expert Paul J. Adam wrote in Part 2 of the Mobile Applications and Litigation series, it is easy and frequent to develop mobile websites and applications that work well but have features that prevent disabled users from viewing, using and navigating the mobile app or website.

This shows why it is so important to implement accessibility in the development of mobile apps. To ensure that your application is accessible, your design and development team must avoid common application development practices that prevent users with disabilities from accessing and using your app or encoding your mobile website or application. Designing and developing barrier-free mobile apps is an indispensable part of any company’s mobile app development, given that it is best practice to have bonus features.

The Conundrum

When creating or purchasing mobile apps, many institutions overlook the importance of mobile accessibility. One reason many organizations are slow to adopt new standards to help disabled users of mobile devices is that their websites and apps are not yet compatible with the digital accessibility of their mobile experience. The slow progression in mobile accessibility is due to the fact that many developers and product teams do not realize how much of the former is applicable to people with disabilities.

Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAGs) apply to mobile websites and native apps, but they were developed before mobile phones were as ubiquitous as they are today. WCAGs do not cover all aspects of mobile accessibility, and conformance with WCAG2 or WCAG 2.1 will not provide users with disabilities with an accessible experience.

Conclusion

Our team of accessibility testers offer solutions that follow the principles of accessibility testing and promote the importance of mobile accessibility testing to achieve barrier-free products. It is crucial for your business to enhance its Web presence, including mobile apps and strong social media profiles but we will use mobile accessibility to talk about your business’s access to reliable mobile services and how you can deliver for your customers.

When companies bring applications to market, they should consider mobile accessibility testing as an important factor in a world where the population is aging, and older adults are at greater risk of disability.

Get in touch with BarrierBreak, to know why accessibility testing is important and how we can support you with mobile accessibility testing.

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Our team at BarrierBreak, consisting of 250+ accessibility testers & native assistive technology users ensure accessibility of all your Health Tech tools with cost-effective Accessible Health Tech Services. 

Health Sector Overview 

In the health sector, we have seen this topic discussed as the gap in technology and Internet access between the poor and everyone else. While the Internet and digital isolation are not a new problem, the pandemic has shed light on populations that lack digital literacy, addiction or access to online systems. While an individual may have access to technology, they may not be literate enough or have the digital skills required to use the technology and, as a result, may not be able to access online health education content. Often, devices or technologies, by their very design, are simply inaccessible to everyone. 

In addition, many business owners and investors mistakenly believe that patients covered under insurance are not interested in using digital tools to manage their health. However, many promising health information technology (HIT) solutions are not being adopted and used by these patients and other vulnerable populations or are not being implemented in hospitals that provide care to a high percentage of these patients. 

As digital transformation in healthcare improves the quality of patient care, Health Delivery Organizations (HDOs) must continue to support those who choose or need to rely on offline healthcare. Demand for telemedicine services is growing because it is an efficient and effective way to get health care, which is why health insurance providers are working to ensure access to the people they serve, no matter where they live or their economic situation. Health insurance providers help meet the technological needs of rural and low-income communities. 

Drawback of Health Tech 

Without proper planning and protection, digital health technologies can increase health inequalities by widening the digital divide separating those who can and cannot access such interventions. The complexity of the social and health problems that contribute to the availability and diffusion of health-related technologies must be studied and addressed in greater depth before the benefits can be fully realized for all populations. These challenges need to be addressed given the disproportionate burden of disease facing patients from lower socioeconomic backgrounds and gaps in digital strategies to provide them with more effective prevention and treatment. 

Remedy 

Accelerating and wider adoption of technology during the pandemic is positive, but the digital divide requires additional investment. The government should ensure that digital health interventions directly address the digital divide and inequality of access. Digital technology must be developed with end users (for example, healthcare providers, system administrators, patients, and communities), and must have effective feedback and repetition mechanisms. 

When it comes to web products, all stakeholders involved in creating a product must ensure that common barriers to digital accessibility are overcome through appropriate methods. In such a scenario, technology plays a significant role in bridging the gap to ensure that people with disabilities have equal and convenient access to digital tools, devices and systems. Technological accessibility means providing digital access to all types of users. 

But beyond that, we need digital health solutions that are affordable, accessible to those who need access most, and demonstrate the effectiveness of their best health outcomes. The only real way to ensure digital health is enabled is to collaborate on solutions with intended users. The access structure, combined with utilitarianism, provides us with strategies for providing medical technology to the poor. 

Get in Touch 

Beyond digital health and medical innovation, this is an article about giving people access to technology that enables them to actively manage their health, well-being and disease. These are all positive changes that can make it easier and easier for many people to obtain high-quality care.  

And we at BarrierBreak strive towards an accessible and inclusive future for all. 

For accessible, affordable and actionable solutions, get in touch with us at sales@barrierbreak.com 

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Diwali and Accessibility

Diwali is a time when one goes to meet their loved ones and exchange gifts and sweets, burst firecrackers, have delicious traditional feasts and wear new clothes. It is also a time when  business is booming, and brands are looking to create awareness and increase their sales. Whether it’s an online business or offline, all these brands are giving discount and promotional offers on their products and services. But not all these businesses focus on accessibility and inclusion. Not all of them have their content made accessible. This is where you can edge out your competitor. This is where you can ensure that your promotional activities are accessible and appeals your audiences. And this is where we come in!

Our team at BarrierBreak believes a good marketing strategy and accessible content should always go hand in hand. They ensure your content is rendered accessible by applying inclusive design practices. 

Why Accessibility?

We have known Diwali being celebrated by everyone. But do we know what all difficulties are faced by people with disabilities while accessing promotional Diwali campaigns or offers?

Inclusive design and marketing strategy aim to create a positive and accessible user experience for all, including the people with disabilities. Rather than targeting a single user group or target market, integrative design principles seek to appeal to a wide range of users and understand the different ways in which people engage on your website. Inclusive design considers accessibility and inclusion from the outset of a promotional activity and helps you understand diversity and create products and services that are experienced by a large number of people.

Accessibility is an experience that meets the needs of your audience, including those with disabilities. Accessible design provides the foundation to ensure that the experience of your content is inclusive, but it also invites you to consider the content itself. When it comes to creating content, barrier-free design ensures that everyone has equal access so that no one is excluded.

Benefits of Accessible Advertising

Accessibility is just one of the many areas that need to be addressed to create inclusive content. Companies must create policies for internal and external content, including the creation of accessible promotional campaigns. There are many benefits in doing so:

• Accessible advertising campaigns help in reaching people with disabilities, such as people with impaired mobility, vision, hearing and learning.
• Using inclusive designs can not only help you reach potential customers and grow your business. It also shows your brand is committed to serving as many people as possible.
• Creating accessible content is a great way to promote an SEO strategy for brands.
• Creating inclusive content enables brands to forge stronger connections with customers. Consumers with disabilities and their family members are increasingly recognizing the value of the products and services which include them.
• Furthermore, applying universal design principles from the outset can help people with disabilities become potential customers of your brand. Being aware of accessibility increases inclusivity in your brand and improves the user experience.

Challenges Faced

One reason why more brands are not capitalizing on this opportunity is perceived difficulty in making their campaigns available to everyone. Festive marketing campaigns like the ones in Diwali tend to overlook people with disabilities because of the extra effort required to make ads accessible. In accessible advertising, brands fail to address a significant portion of the population because they overlook people with disabilities in their marketing plans.

As disabilities continue to increase, brands need to refine their marketing efforts to broaden their reach and communicate with this underserved population. One way for companies to avoid unintended barriers in this segment is to focus their marketing efforts on consumers with disabilities and their families. By focusing on accessibility in website design and content, you open your business to more people in more situations than you know.

Your content should be your first port of call to show that you care about making your brand inclusive and accessible to all.

How can we help?

Our highly specialized team at BarrierBreak not only helps you create accessible promotional content but also ensures that it is Section 508 and ADA compliant. We ensure the content is in conformance with WCAG 2.0 and 2.1

Get in touch with us at sales@barrierbreak.com for any support in making your content accessible.

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Our specialized accessibility consultancy and accessibility testing team at BarrierBreak not only ensures your business is transitioned smoothly into accessibility but also makes sure all your digital products and services meet the accessibility standards and guidelines such as WCAG, Section 508, ADA.

Nitty-Gritty of Accessibility

To achieve accessibility, build accessibility into your business development process right from the start. Demonstrate how products do not meet accessibility standards and provide useful, actionable and achievable guidelines for ways to seize opportunities, such as new ways to involve the customer base of people with disabilities in the development and design process to solve the problem.

Create an access plan to an existing strategic business cycle, publish the policies on your public viewing website, and update the policies regularly. It is always advisable to integrate accessibility in your business at the beginning.

Creating a barrier-free working environment for workers with disabilities is easier if organizations have a clear understanding of the legal requirements they must comply with. Companies covered by ADA are required to change their business policies and procedures as necessary to serve customers with disabilities and take steps to communicate with them. The rules underlying ADA require companies not to apply a one-size-fits-all approach to dealing with employee disabilities. We have explained more about ADA and digital accessibility in this article. Keep reading!

The Offline World of Accessibility

The ADA requires that new public accommodation facilities, including small businesses, must be accessible and usable for people with disabilities. Businesses have been required to remove architectural barriers to building since the passage of the 1990 American with Disabilities Act, but this process can be difficult for small businesses with limited budgets. The ADA requires companies to remove all architectural barriers from existing buildings and ensure that all newly built or modified facilities are accessible for people with disabilities.

Assessing whether your business has architectural barriers is very crucial!

Accessibility Documentation is the evidence that supports your case when your company needs to defend itself against violations of ADA regulations or lawsuits. It is best for your company to document the steps it has taken to address accessibility issues; however, minor they may seem.

The Online World of Accessibility

The American with Disabilities Act (ADA) outlines rules and guidelines for businesses to allow people with disabilities access, but it can be overwhelming for business owners to read through the long list of requirements.

ADA strikes a careful balance between improving access for people with disabilities and recognizing the financial constraints faced by many small businesses.

The fear of lawsuits and financial risks are not the only reasons why it’s a great idea for your website to adhere to ADA compliance standards. Ethically and financially, it becomes all the more important to address to the needs of your customers. By complying to ADA, it allows you to meet the requirements of the federal and state governments and open your business to a larger clientele. By adhering to these standards, you will not only create a better user experience for your users but also inadvertently increase your profitability and overall company success.

In addition to ADA, AODA policy requires companies and government agencies to adopt an outward-looking, publicly accessible policy, such as achieving a declaration on accessibility and an organizational commitment to timely accessibility.

Why BarrierBreak?

BarrierBreak’s accessibility team assist organizations to recognize that accessibility needs to come at the start, and not be an afterthought. As an accessibility vendor, we help you build accessibility features and support you in integrating accessibility in all your business processes. We make sure the user experience is seamless especially for people with disabilities.

Write to sales@barrierbreak.com to help us support you with accessibility.

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Accessibility for users with cognitive disabilities is a greater challenge than for other types of disabilities. While the use of computer technology in the classroom of students with cognitive disabilities has proven effective, the variety of skills and experiences of users with cognitive disabilities can cause problems. 

Our specialized team at BarrierBreak provides guidance on how people with cognitive disabilities best deal with accessibility issues. We aim to provide practical, step-by-step information and design to deliver effective best practices for web and digital accessibility. 

The Underdogs

While vision and hearing impairments are often discussed when it comes to site accessibility, cognitive disabilities represent the most computer users with disabilities according to the National Center for Disability Access and Education. Cognitive impairment is the least understood disability category, and much of what has been published on cognitive impairment from a clinical and scientific point of view does not include questions related to website accessibility. 

Cognitive learning is a neurological disability that includes neurological disorders as well as behavioral and mental disorders. 

What is Cognitive Disability?

Cognitive impairment refers to a wide range of disabilities – from people with intellectual impairments that limit their ability to age-related problems with thinking and remembering. Cognitive impairments include people with learning disabilities such as dyslexia and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It affects how people express and receive information and communication, their motor skills, vision, hearing and ability to comprehend and consume information. Such disabilities can impair the ability to read and type text, recognize images, make precise gestures and locate important information.  

Accessibility allows people with cognitive disabilities to focus on the primary purpose of the content. Taking into account deficits in reading, language and language comprehension through supplementary media such as illustrations, symbols, videos and audio can improve accessibility for people with cognitive disabilities. Images, icons and graphic content can help users with cognitive impairments. 

Complex texts can cause difficulties for users with cognitive impairments. People with dyslexia, for example, may find it difficult and time-consuming to access text information. Perception disorders, also known as learning disabilities, include difficulties in processing sensory information such as auditory, tactile and visual. 

The Modus Operandi of Digital Accessibility

The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 document is based on a broader understanding of how to create accessible content for specific user groups. The WCAG is a set of recommendations to make digital content and technologies accessible to people with disabilities. Regardless of cognitive, learning or neurological disabilities, many adapt digital content to make it easier to see and to use. 

People with cognitive and learning disabilities use a variety of technologies to adapt and simplify content to their needs. For example, screens readers designed for blind users or for accessing content on a computer or mobile phone are increasingly used by people with cognitive impairments to promote literacy. Supporting technologies have also been developed to facilitate cognitive access for people with physical or sensory disabilities. 

In practice, people with cognitive disabilities are less effective at hacking physical or sensory access technologies to meet their own needs, but that is no excuse for not implementing specific CA measures. Cognitive accessibility includes thinking about accessibility for people with cognitive and learning disabilities. 

What can you do?

Align your digital content with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (commonly referred to as WCAG 2.0) the most widely accepted standard for equal access to the Internet. Compliance with these guidelines may help protect against lawsuits alleging violations of Section 508 and American with Disabilities Act (ADA). 

In short, barrier-free websites help secure brands that promote positive word-of-mouth for the disabled population among their friends, family members and the general public. Several organizations have joined forces to identify measures to support the digital inclusion of people with cognitive disabilities. 

It seems that the use of information and communication technology (ICT) is a challenge for people with intellectual disabilities and that there is a digital divide between them and more connected citizens. 

We can bridge that gap for you! Our highly experienced team at BarrierBreak does not only ensure your digital products conform to accessibility standards but also provides a barrier-free experience for people with cognitive disabilities. 

Write to sales@barrierbreak.com and reach out for further assistance. 

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Our team at BarrierBreak, specializing in digital accessibility testing, ensures that your website and mobile applications are accessible by everyone and are ADA & Section 508 Compliant.  

Quick Preview 

Contrary to popular belief, people with disabilities of all ages are least inclined, or at least less inclined, to use a computer or smartphone to conduct their banking transactions. Researchers found that more than three in five people could not use financial websites and apps due to barriers to access. More worryingly, three-quarters of visually impaired people who used online banking and other financial services turned to a sighted person for help in carrying out their financial activities. 

Accessibility All The Way 

Accessibility will be at the heart of efforts by banks and other financial institutions in 2021. Failure to provide access to websites, apps and online documents such as forms and PDFs could lead to litigation and require a much-needed and expensive transformation.  

An accessible banking and finance website ensures that everyone has equal access to the features and services of the pages. As we see a trend towards online banking, making banking websites and apps accessible that are Section 508 and ADA compliant has become important. 

Consumers and businesses using banking and financial services are increasingly turning to web-based and digital platforms to satisfy their needs. In light of reports of increasing lawsuits against credit institutions for lack of accessibility of websites, high customer expectations for inclusive financial services and significant updates to web accessibility policies in the coming years, it is important for product owners, managers and practitioners in the banking and financial sector to draw up accessibility plans.  

The Internet includes websites and applications and banks have been implementing various accessibility policies for people with disabilities. However, an enormous amount remains to be done, not only in terms of implementing directives, but also to change the mindset of all those involved in the creation of online banking services. 

To know more about ADA compliance for websites, check out our blog on ADA Compliance for Websites.

The COVID Concern 

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, banks and dozens of other businesses have been restricted or shut down as customers are urged to stay home and exercise social dissociation, as ordered by the federal government and many state governments. The number of complaints against credit institutions has increased in recent years. 

As a result, financial institutions that rely on online banking will continue to serve millions of customers across the country. In the financial industry, the number of interactive websites and mobile applications for customers is increasing. Many companies rely on financial technology (fintech) platform companies for their website templates and mobile online banking apps. 

A large proportion of the audience uses financial services on mobile devices. A 2016 report by the Federal Reserve System on consumer mobile financial services showed that more people are checking bank balances, transferring money and engaging in other financial activities using mobile devices and that the number of people using mobile devices instead of desktop computers is likely to increase. 

People with disabilities urgently need accessible online financial services! 

Then & Now 

While in the past solutions such as Braille displays, barrier-free ATMs, special telephone lines for people using TTY, TDD and text phones worked, many disabled customers want to take advantage of today’s technology. With the help of digital accessibility, you must ensure that your website, mobile apps and other electronic resources can be used by customers with a variety of disabilities.

Technology has changed and accessibility solutions that worked in 2008 may not be enough in 2021. 

Digital accessibility means to ensure barrier-free log-in to your website or using your mobile apps easily by customers with disabilities. It means enabling customers with a disability check their accounts, pay bills, transfer funds and establish cheques with an ease. Your website should not only be user-friendly for screen readers but should also be accessible on a variety of different assistive technology devices and fall under the robust pillars of WCAG. 

As more and more technologies over the years have been developed, such as screen readers, text enhancement software and programs that facilitate computer functions with the user’s voice, poorly designed websites can create unnecessary barriers for people with disabilities, much like poorly designed buildings. 

Differentiate yourself from other Banking & Financial Service Providers

Access of banking & financial solutions is necessary for all including people with disabilities. However, 40% of banks lack accessibility, which means that many elements of their websites are imperceptible to customers using a screen reader. 

This is where we come in! Our highly skilled team at BarrierBreak, comprising of disabled accessibility testers, not only ensures that your website is made accessible and easy for anyone to navigate through it, but also makes sure that they comply to ADA & Section 508 accessibility standards. 

Write to sales@barrierbreak.com to help you with Banking & Finance Digital Accessibility. 

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The Covid-19 Twist

A total of 1.725 billion students globally had been affected by the closure of schools and higher education institutions in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the UNESCO Monitoring Report, 192 countries had implemented nationwide closures, affecting about 99% of the world’s student population.

Due to Covid-19, there was a significant shift to remote learning which led to an increased number of roadblocks for students with disabilities. There were unexpected hurdles that seem to come up each day. A year and a half later, the higher education institutes are still struggling to achieve inclusive design and to make online learning accessible for all.

For this very same reason, our highly experienced team of accessibility testers at BarrierBreak provides EdTech accessibility solutions by ensuring that your digital EdTech assets are inclusive and accessible for all.

The emergence for the need of Accessibility

Title II and Title III of the American Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act oblige educational institutions to make their digital content available to students with disabilities. EdTech Accessibility is an essential prerequisite for people with disabilities and the provision of accessible content benefits all learners. In this way, the curriculum can serve students with different disabilities and students with different socio-economic backgrounds.

With 1.7 billion students in 190 countries and widespread pandemics, digital accessibility for distance learning is non-negotiable. Organizations should not discriminate against learners or deny them the right to a digital learning experience.

K-12 schools and higher education institutions must adapt to this new normal in order for students with disabilities to succeed. Given the increasing use of digital technologies, it is essential that trainers, administrators and product providers ensure that their systems, content and tools are designed and deployed in an accessible manner.

The combination of supportive technology for teachers and students using adequate accessibility can improve access to a variety of students with learning difficulties, including those with cognitive, visual, auditory, neurological and physical disabilities.

Challenges that lie ahead

Socio-economic barriers

Being from a low-income family can have a number of effects on a student’s ability to engage and understand digital materials such as online homework and digital tutorials. Students who do not have Internet access at home or who have limited devices to access the Internet are at a significant disadvantage compared to their peers. Socio-economic barriers are not only taken into account by the type of disability, but also influence students’ access to websites.

Access to digital tools

However, a fair learning environment does not mean that all students are equal with digital tools. When accessibility features are not incorporated into digital materials, it can be difficult or impossible for students to use them due to a range of physical, sensory and cognitive disabilities. Technology and educational technology can create a level playing field and bridge the gap between the environment, pupil demographics, learning styles and access to resources, but not widen it.

Access to learning materials

Reducing the number of hoops students have to jump through to gain access to learning materials can also be an advantage. Students who travel long distances to school, for example, can benefit from audio recordings of texts. Students with limited resources can avoid buying expensive textbooks if they can access content in cheaper or free alternative formats.

Designing online lessons for students with special needs takes no longer than transferring them to an online environment and using them face-to-face. The use of simple, low-cost tools such as voice-over-text capabilities and screen reader programs found on many devices can help personalize education for students with sensory or cognitive problems. The use of accessible technologies with embedded support, such as closed text, word-to-word prediction and adjustable reading levels, can also help teachers differentiate instruction and personalize it to fit the needs of each individual learner.

What’s next?

Implementing the right functions in digital learning tools and learning management systems represents a unique opportunity to create a level playing field. Many EdTech tools on the market lack advanced accessibility features to support disabled students. When translated into a digital learning tool, well-intentioned educators can disadvantage thousands of students with hearing, visual, physical and mental disabilities.

Digital learning technologies with advanced accessibility features can make it easier for disabled students to learn in more traditional classrooms at the same level as their peers. Digital learning enables leadership teams, other leaders, teachers, districts, and schools to educate, respond, and sustain education in a digital environment.

How can we support?

With more than 15 years in accessibility, BarrierBreak is the leader in offshore Digital Accessibility Testing and Consulting. Our highly experienced team of 250+ mainly comprises of disabled accessibility testers. Not only do we make sure your website is accessible, but we also ensure it is compliant with the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) in accordance with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG ). Write to sales@barrierbreak.com to help us with Edtech Accessibility.

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What is ADA?

As litigation surrounding the accessibility of websites has soared in recent years, the term ‘ADA website compliance‘ has become commonplace. In order to comply with the American with Disabilities Act (ADA), a landmark 1990 civil rights law, your website must be designed so that people who are blind, have visual impairments, are deaf, have hearing, mobility or cognitive challenges or other people are able to access your content in a meaningful way. The purpose of the law is to make sure that people with disabilities have the same rights and opportunities as everyone else.

What do you mean by ADA Compliance for Websites?

ADA-compliant websites provide an online experience that is accessible to all, including people with disabilities. This means having websites that cater to visually impaired users, creating content that is suitable for screen readers, using descriptive links and making website actions accessible to anyone with a keyboard.

In practice, ADA compliance for website means that a website must meet the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards for barrier-free design, which allows people to use devices such as screen readers and keyboards to access and consume online content, including blog posts, videos, and online services.

Is ADA Compliance important?

Yes, absolutely! I cannot place more emphasis on how important it is to make your website ADA Compliant. The fear of lawsuits and financial risks are not the only reasons why it’s a great idea for your website to adhere to ADA compliance standards. Ethically and financially, it becomes all the more important to address to the needs of your customers. By complying to ADA, you open up your business to a greater world of dedicated community members and customers. By adhering to these standards, you will not only create a better user experience for your users but also inadvertently increase your profitability and overall company success.

How to make your website ADA Compliant?

WCAG was created by The W3C Web Accessibility Initiative in order to “develop standards and support materials to help you understand and implement accessibility.” There are some simple practices that can help you ensure your website is ADA Compliant. WCAG 2.0 guidelines help translate ADA requirements into easy-to-follow steps to target specific elements on your website that helps you to improve accessibility.

At BarrierBreak, our highly experienced accessibility testing team makes sure that your website is ADA Compliant by implementing a thorough manual check. They also make sure that the website is accessible and Section 508 compliant. Write to sales@barrierbreak.com to help us support you with ADA compliance testing.

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