The importance of web accessibility for temporary disabilities

In today's digital age, web accessibility is more essential than ever. It ensures that everyone, including those with disabilities, can access and use websites effectively. While much attention is given to permanent disabilities, temporary disabilities are often overlooked and can affect everyone at some point. These can range from a broken arm to temporary vision impairments caused by eye surgery, screen glare, or even a concussion. Adherence to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) plays a pivotal role in addressing these temporary impairments.

Understanding temporary disabilities

Temporary disabilities are impairments that an individual might experience for a short period. They can significantly impact a person's ability to navigate the web. Examples include:

• Injuries: a broken arm or hand can limit the use of a mouse or keyboard.
• Medical conditions: post-surgery conditions can temporarily impair vision or mobility.
• Situational limitations: such as being in a noisy environment, which can hinder the ability to hear audio content or screen glare impacting the ability to see a phone screen.

These conditions highlight that web accessibility is not just essential for those with permanent disabilities but will be a relevant necessity for all users at some point.

Why web accessibility matters for temporary disabilities

• Inclusivity: ensuring websites are accessible means everyone, including those with temporary disabilities, can use digital services without unnecessary barriers. This inclusivity is not just a moral imperative but also a legal requirement in many jurisdictions.
• Enhanced user experience: features that improve accessibility often enhance the user experience for all. For example, captions on videos not only assist those with hearing impairments but also benefit users in noisy environments or those who prefer to read along.
• Legal compliance: there are various jurisdictions worldwide that make accessibility a legal requirement, such as the Equality Act and Public Sector Bodies (Website and Mobile Applications) Accessibility Regulations (PSBAR) in the UK, the Disability Discrimination Act of Australia, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in the USA and the upcoming European Accessibility Act for the EU member states. Adhering to WCAG guidelines helps organisations comply with their national laws, reducing the risk of legal action and ensuring that their digital presence is accessible to all users.
• Economic benefits: accessible websites can reach a broader audience, including those who might otherwise be excluded due to temporary impairments. This broader reach can translate into higher customer satisfaction and loyalty.
• Ethical responsibility: organisations have an ethical duty to ensure their services are accessible to everyone, regardless of their physical condition. Accessibility reflects a commitment to social responsibility and inclusivity.
  
  

Practical steps to improve web accessibility

• Design with flexibility: ensure that your website can be navigated using various input methods, such as keyboard-only navigation or voice commands.
• Provide alternatives: offer text alternatives for non-text content, such as images and videos, to accommodate those with visual impairments.
• Captioning and transcripts: provide captions for video content and transcripts for audio content to support those with hearing impairments.
• Consistent layout: use a consistent layout and design across your website to make navigation intuitive.
• User Testing: involve people with temporary and permanent disabilities in user testing to identify and address accessibility issues.
  
  

Web accessibility is essential for ensuring that all individuals, including those with temporary disabilities, can access and use digital content effectively. As a baseline for accessibility, WCAG guidelines underscore the importance of making web content perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust. By adhering to these guidelines, organisations not only comply with legal requirements but also enhance user experience, promote inclusivity, and fulfil their ethical responsibilities. In doing so, they contribute to a more accessible and equitable digital world for everyone.

If you want to learn more about accessibility including; training your team, auditing or testing your websites, then fill out our request a demo form and select accessibility services as your area of interest.