Developing Inclusivity Features

Common Issues with Accessibility and How to Fix Them

A variety of common accessibility issues exists. Let’s consider how to fix them.

Desktop Versus Mobile Integration

Accessible features across platforms on both the desktop and mobile devices continue to be a painpoint for people with disabilities. For example, Web sites might not translate well because mobile touch zones aren’t intuitable, making navigating them difficult. Figures 1 and 2 provide examples of page designs for the desktop and mobile respectively.

Captions

Without closed captioning, or alt-text, screen readers won’t recognize an image, so people who are visually impaired and use a screen reader have no context regarding what is on the Web page. Information that users cannot perceive is not accessible. Therefore, developers must incorporate alt-text for images, videos, and audio recordings, as depicted in Figure 3.

Software Development Kits

Software development kits, or SDKs, that incorporate accessibility features provide an excellent foundation for building accessible applications and Web sites. As more organizations adopt no-code and low-code platforms such as SDKs, it is essential that the design of the underlying components integrates accessibility.

In Accessible Rich Internet Applications (ARIA), the commonality between a disabled attribute and an aria-disabled attribute is just semantics. The disabled attribute actually prevents click and hover states, while the only purpose of the aria-disabled attribute is to inform assistive technologies such as screen readers that a user-interface element is disabled, or unavailable. 

The LEADTOOLS Document Viewer Demo highlights accessibility options by implementing aria-disabled attributes throughout the entire demo and incorporating screen-reader functionality. These features ensure that users with diverse abilities can interact with and access the content, providing an inclusive, accessible user experience. Plus, as Figure 4 shows, the LEADTOOLS SDK includes a speech recognition SDK that enables developers to incorporate support for speech-to-text translation that provides improved accessibility. One example of this is converting audio and speech from video files such as movies or interviews into subtitles, as the Multimedia Speech Recognition Demo within the LEADTOOLS SDK demonstrates. 

Mindset Versus Operationalization

Digital inclusion is the next wave of digital transformation. Implementing accessible solutions is just the beginning of this movement. Developers need to work closely with users during app testing because many of them don’t feel prepared or qualified to integrate these features. Consistent education and an environment that encourages accessibility is key to viewing design and accessibility as one methodology rather than separate elements of design.

Next Steps: How to Incorporate Accessibility

Incorporating accessibility is easier said than done, but by following the necessary steps, organizations can increase their awareness of accessibility issues and actively educate their developers on how to create accessible applications.

One important way of gaining insights and building more inclusive application features is to engage with the local community and beta test with people who encounter difficulties with accessibility. By opening a direct line of communication with this group, you can gather their feedback and directly impact accessible design. Another way for organizations to educate their teams is to host panel and Q&A sessions with people who have struggled because of accessibility issues. Often, users who need accessibility features and have struggled with navigating an application can put the reasoning behind accessibility requirements into perspective.

Emphasizing accessibility during internal training can help normalize building in accessibility and heighten awareness of WCAG guidelines and accessibility. From the start, staff onboardings should include accessibility awareness and training. Plus, consistently providing educational opportunities such as Webinars and workshops to developers can inculcate accessibility best practices and methodologies that enable you to achieve the latest requirements.

Embracing accessibility as a cultural mindset rather than merely a requirement to check off is an imperative for all organizations. During the past few years of digital transformation, the adoption of inclusive design has increased rapidly. It is now crucial that standard design work should prioritize accessibility. Treat this paradigm shift as an opportunity for enhancement rather than a design challenge. As developers explore new technologies and SDKs and rely increasingly on automation, their dedication to inclusivity can play a pivotal role in emphasizing the human aspect of software.

By fostering a culture that values accessibility, organizations not only ensure their compliance with regulatory mandates but also demonstrate a genuine commitment to providing equal opportunities for all users. Taking an inclusive approach leads to the development of better products, improved user experiences, and increased brand loyalty. Embracing accessibility from the outset of the development process encourages innovation and collaboration among designers and developers, resulting in creative solutions that cater to a diverse user base. Ultimately, promoting an inclusive design mindset is not only good for business but ensures that technology is truly accessible to everyone. It’s the right thing to do.