In today’s increasingly digitalized world, access to information and services is no longer a luxury, but a necessity. However, for individuals with disabilities, navigating the digital landscape can raise significant challenges.  Fortunately, a growing number of laws and practices are emerging to bridge the digital divide and ensure equal access for all.

What is Language Accessibility?

Accessibility is the cornerstone of an inclusive digital world. It ensures that everyone can access and use information and communication technologies. This includes individuals with visual impairments, hearing impairments, cognitive disabilities, mobility limitations, and other disabilities. Barriers to accessibility can have a deep impact, limiting access to education, employment, e-commerce, and essential services.

Language accessibility goes beyond simple translation. It’s about ensuring your content is understood by everyone, regardless of:

• Age: People with lower literacy skills might struggle with complex sentence structures.
• Ability: Cognitive disabilities can make understanding vocabulary or technical terms difficult.
• Language background: Non-native speakers may not grasp cultural references or colloquial expressions.

By creating accessible language, you’re opening doors for a wider audience. This includes reaching new markets, enhancing user experience, and promoting inclusivity.

Picture by Ben Kolde at Unsplash

How can you create accessible language?

Here are some key strategies:

• Plain language: Ditch the jargon and complex sentence structures. Go for clear, concise sentences and everyday vocabulary.
• Simplify your grammar: Avoid passive voice and convoluted sentence structures.
• Define terminology: If technical terms are necessary, define them clearly within the text.

Accessibility and Technology

Technology is a powerful tool for creating accessible language. Here are some examples:

• Text-to-Speech software: This can assist people with visual impairments or learning disabilities.
• Accessibility checkers: These tools can identify areas where your content can be improved for readability.

Picture by Elizabeth Woolner at Unsplash

The rise of accessibility laws

Governments around the world are recognizing the importance of digital access for all. This translates into accessibility laws that set standards for businesses to follow. These laws not only promote inclusivity but also ensure equal access to essential services and empower individuals with disabilities to participate fully in society. Two prominent examples are:

• Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): A cornerstone of disability rights in the US, the ADA prohibits discrimination based on disability. It applies to public and private entities, including those offering electronic information. The ADA doesn’t specify technical requirements but mandates “operable” digital content and services. This allows for flexibility in achieving accessibility while ensuring functionality for users with disabilities.
• European Accessibility Act (EAA): The EAA establishes minimum accessibility requirements for specific products and services in the EU. This includes websites, mobile apps, e-readers, and online shopping platforms. The EAA focuses on “functional” accessibility, specifying necessary features without dictating technical details. This allows for innovation in achieving accessibility goals while ensuring a baseline level of functionality.

Why accessibility benefits businesses

Compliance is just one aspect of accessibility. Companies that embrace accessibility gain significant benefits that go beyond legal considerations:

• Expanded market reach: An accessible website opens doors to a wider customer base, including a large demographic of individuals with disabilities and their families.
• Enhanced user experience: Accessible platforms are user-friendly for everyone, regardless of ability. This not only improves customer satisfaction and loyalty but also leads to a more positive brand image.
• Stronger brand image: Promoting accessibility demonstrates social responsibility. This can enhance brand reputation and attract customers who value inclusivity.
• Improved SEO ranking: Many accessibility features also boost search engine optimization. For instance, using descriptive keywords and providing alternative text descriptions for images can improve website ranking in search results, making them easier to find for everyone.

Conclusion

Language accessibility isn’t just about following trends or being compliant with existing laws; it’s about creating a more inclusive world. By incorporating these strategies, you can ensure your content empowers everyone to access the information and services they need. Remember, clear communication is key – let’s bridge the gap and foster a world where everyone has a voice.