# Intro to Digital Accessibility Concepts --- ### Defining disability Persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments which in interaction with various barriers may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. [Source](https://www.un.org/esa/socdev/enable/faqs.htm) The World Health Organization estimates that over 15% of adults globally are living with at least one disability. [Source](https://www.who.int/disabilities/world_report/2011/report.pdf) --- ### Defining accessibility Accessibility is the practice of making information, activities, and/or environments sensible, meaningful, and usable for as many people as possible. [Source](https://www.seewritehear.com/learn/what-is-accessibility/) --- ### Digital accessibility Web accessibility means that websites, tools, and technologies are designed and developed so that people with disabilities can use them. More specifically, people can: - perceive, understand, navigate, and interact with the Web - contribute to the Web [Source](https://www.w3.org/WAI/fundamentals/accessibility-intro/) --- #### What would digital accessibility look like for... - a blind user who navigates applications with a screen reader? - a user whose arthritis makes it too painful to use a mouse? - a low-vision user who struggles to read small, low-contrast text? - a user whose migraines are triggered by reading high-contrast text on screens? --- ### Principles for digital accessibility - Don't wait for users to complain. - The burden of ensuring accessibility should not fall on individuals excluded from the status quo. - For every user who reports an issue, how many quietly left when they realized the product was not usable? --- ### Principles for digital accessibility - Good accessibility practices are good for all users. - Keyboard navigation is necessary for some users, beloved by many more. - Following best practices to make documentation navigable for screen readers can also improve search engine ranking. --- ### Principles for digital accessibility - It is impossible to anticipate all possible accessibility needs for all users. - Start somewhere. Every accessibility improvement reduces a barrier for some users. - The [Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)](https://www.w3.org/WAI/standards-guidelines/wcag/) is a set of standards to make content more accessible to a wide range of users with disabilities. - Empower users to customize their experiences. --- ### [Pop quiz!](https://digital-accessibility.eu/digital-accessibility-quizzes/quiz-about-developing-for-digital-accessibility/)