Accessibility and What is Being Missed?
Many people don’t think twice about making something digitally accessible. Alt text is crucial for accessibility, as it provides descriptive information about images for users who rely on screen readers. Many websites overlook this practice, resulting in a lack of context for visually impaired users. I am someone who is guilty of this. Before this lesson I didn’t even think, or know, that putting a description on an image was an option. Now I am aware of how important this is and how much it can improve a website.
Why isn’t Digital Accessibility More Commonly Used? Why don’t we all Know About it?
Many digital accessibility practices aren’t well-known or commonly used due to a lack of awareness. Majority of people publishing information online do not have visually or hearing impairments, meaning that they don’t even think twice about it. Additionally, there is a perception that accessibility is complicated or time-consuming. Some may underestimate its importance, especially for a broader audience, and focus on aesthetics rather than sufficiency. Spreading awareness and improving websites is key to making accessibility more prevalent.