User Experience (UX)
Accessibility
Accessibility is the practice of ensuring that digital products and services are usable and navigable by people with disabilities, including those with visual, auditory, motor, or cognitive impairments.
It involves designing and developing digital experiences in a way that accommodates diverse user needs and preferences, enabling everyone, regardless of ability, to access and interact with digital content effectively. By prioritising accessibility in design and development processes, organisations can enhance inclusivity, usability, and compliance with accessibility standards and regulations, while also improving user satisfaction and engagement.
We help businesses integrate accessibility best practices into their digital initiatives and create inclusive digital experiences that cater to all users. Through an all-inclusive approach to accessibility assessment, remediation, and ongoing support, we help organisations to build accessible, user-friendly digital products and services that meet the needs of diverse audiences and comply with accessibility standards and regulations.
Accessibility Assessment
We conduct a comprehensive assessment of digital properties to evaluate their current level of accessibility and identify areas for improvement. This involves automated and manual testing against accessibility standards (such as WCAG), usability testing with users with disabilities, and audits of design and development practices to uncover accessibility barriers and issues.
Accessibility Remediation
We develop remediation strategies and plans to address accessibility issues identified during the assessment phase. This may involve redesigning user interfaces, updating code to comply with accessibility standards, adding alternative text to images and multimedia content, enhancing keyboard navigation and focus management, and ensuring compatibility with assistive technologies.
Accessibility Training and Awareness
We provide training and awareness programs to educate design, development, and content teams about accessibility best practices, guidelines, and tools. This includes workshops, seminars, and online resources to raise awareness of accessibility issues, promote inclusive design principles, and empower teams to create accessible digital experiences.
Accessibility Testing and Validation
We conduct ongoing accessibility testing and validation to ensure that digital products and services remain accessible throughout their lifecycle. This involves incorporating accessibility testing into development workflows, conducting regular audits and reviews, and engaging users with disabilities in usability testing to gather feedback and insights for continuous improvement.
Accessibility Compliance and Reporting
We assist organisations in achieving and maintaining compliance with accessibility standards and regulations, such as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). This includes documenting accessibility efforts, generating accessibility reports, and responding to accessibility-related inquiries and complaints from users and regulatory authorities.
Accessibility Integration and Support
We integrate accessibility considerations into design and development processes, tools, and workflows to ensure that accessibility is prioritised and embedded throughout the digital product lifecycle. This includes incorporating accessibility features and options into design systems, component libraries, and content management systems, as well as providing ongoing support and guidance to teams on accessibility-related issues and challenges.
By prioritising accessibility in digital initiatives, organisations can foster inclusivity, equality, and social responsibility, while also unlocking business benefits such as increased user engagement, customer loyalty, and market reach. We can help ensure that your digital products and services are accessible to all users, regardless of ability, and contribute to building a more inclusive and equitable digital future.
The benefits of doing:
Enhanced Inclusivity: Prioritising accessibility ensures that digital products and services are usable by everyone, including people with disabilities, fostering inclusivity and providing equal access to information and resources.
Improved User Experience: Accessible design practices lead to more intuitive and navigable digital experiences, enhancing usability and satisfaction for all users, regardless of their abilities or assistive technologies they may use.
Compliance with Regulations: Implementing accessibility standards, such as WCAG, ensures compliance with legal requirements and regulations related to accessibility, reducing the risk of litigation and penalties while demonstrating a commitment to social responsibility.
Increased Market Reach: Accessible digital products and services cater to a broader audience, including people with disabilities, elderly users, and individuals facing temporary impairments, expanding the potential market reach and customer base.
Positive Brand Image: Demonstrating a commitment to accessibility not only fosters goodwill and trust among users but also enhances the organisation's brand image as socially responsible and inclusive, contributing to a positive reputation and customer loyalty.
The consequences of not:
Exclusion of Users: Neglecting accessibility leads to the exclusion of people with disabilities from accessing and using digital products and services, resulting in a loss of potential customers and hindering equal access to information and resources.
Legal Risks: Non-compliance with accessibility regulations may expose organisations to legal risks, including lawsuits, fines, and damage to reputation, as well as potential loss of business opportunities due to inaccessible products and services.
Poor User Experience: Inaccessible digital experiences frustrate users with disabilities, impairing usability and satisfaction, while also negatively impacting brand perception and customer loyalty among all users.
Missed Market Opportunities: Inaccessible products and services miss out on capturing the market share represented by people with disabilities, elderly individuals, and other users facing temporary impairments, limiting business growth and revenue potential.
Negative Reputation: Ignoring accessibility sends a message of disregard for inclusivity and social responsibility, tarnishing the organisation's reputation and brand image, leading to negative publicity and decreased consumer trust and loyalty.
