Accessibility Breakdown
Tags: a11y, inclusion, wcag, webdev
Published: 2024-05-08 17:00:00

Hey there, welcome to my mini-series all about making the digital world a friendlier and more accessible place for everyone! We're diving deep into the world of digital accessibility (a11y), uncovering the things that often get overlooked. From making sure everyone can easily use your website or app to creating a space where everyone feels included, I'm on a mission to make the internet a better place for all!

Each of the coming mini-series posts are going to break down one thing you can quickly take action on to help improve your overall accessibility. Lets do a brief intro first!

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## Why is Accessibility Important?


**Inclusivity:** Accessibility ensures that all individuals, regardless of their abilities or disabilities, can access and interact with your content, welcoming a wider audience. Remember, we all experience the digital world differently, and empathy reminds us to consider the diverse needs and experiences of our users.

![colorful circle with smaller circles of all shapes and sizes inside it](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/wnt0csuhjp1yk1om2q3b.PNG)

**Compliance:** Following accessibility guidelines such as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) ensures that you meet legal requirements and industry standards. Compliance not only mitigates the risk of potential lawsuits but also demonstrates your commitment to ethical and responsible digital practices.
![checkmark in box](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/hcxdaydpr6c1b8n6ogr0.png)

**Enhanced User Experience:** Accessibility features, such as alternative text for images, keyboard navigation, and clear headings, not only benefit users with disabilities but also improve the overall user experience for all visitors. Implementing these features can make your site easier to navigate, understand, and engage with, leading to higher user satisfaction and retention. Let's put ourselves in the shoes of our users, understanding and addressing their diverse needs.
![smiley face](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/kgiiyk1qcs0o7u2154yc.png)

**SEO Benefits:** Many accessibility practices align with search engine optimization (SEO) best practices. For example, providing descriptive alt text for images not only helps screen readers interpret content but also improves image search optimization. By optimizing your site for accessibility, you can potentially improve your search engine rankings and increase organic traffic. 

![magnifying glass](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/ehr6ygjhrirtmtts8wav.png)

**Brand Reputation:** Demonstrating a commitment to accessibility reflects positively on your brand's values and reputation. By prioritizing accessibility, you show that you care about all your users and are dedicated to providing an inclusive online environment. This can enhance trust and loyalty among your audience, ultimately contributing to the long-term success of your application. Let's cultivate empathy as a core value of our brand, showing empathy in action through our commitment to accessibility.  Accessibility isn't just a checkbox for compliance; it's about creating a more inclusive and welcoming online environment for everyone.
![heart](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/rbm5rauej85um1skw1jw.png)

Now that we have an understanding about why A11y is so important come back to this mini-series each week to learn something new! 🌟

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**Helpful links** 
Free A11y tools:

- [NVDA Screen Reader
](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwj7uqDNm_D6AhUiEFkFHfvrB9QQFnoECBYQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nvaccess.org%2Fdownload%2F&usg=AOvVaw3AAc5nrFrg0lylpULGjjxr)
- [Axe DevTools Chrome Extension](https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/axe-devtools-web-accessib/lhdoppojpmngadmnindnejefpokejbdd)
- [WAVE Browser Chrome Extension
](https://wave.webaim.org/extension/)
- [Web Developer Chrome Extension](https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/web-developer/bfbameneiokkgbdmiekhjnmfkcnldhhm)
- [ANDI Accessibility Testing Tool
](https://www.ssa.gov/accessibility/andi/help/install.html)

A11y Info:

- [WCAG Standard Guidelines
](https://www.w3.org/WAI/standards-guidelines/wcag/)
- [A11y Project
](https://www.a11yproject.com/)