Why Your Indian Website Needs an Accessibility Audit stat

An In-Depth Look at Why Your Indian Website Needs an Accessibility Audit

Accessibility audit has become an essential part of the website development process. The Indian government has been steadily pushing for a more accessible digital space, ensuring that all websites, including e-commerce platforms, online portals, and social media handles, adhere to the relevant accessibility standards. According to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1, introduced by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), every website needs to make the necessary adjustments for it to be user-friendly for everyone. Still, there are a significant number of websites in India that fall short of meeting these guidelines. An accessibility audit can help rectify these discrepancies and ensure your website complies with these guidelines.

Understanding the Significance of Accessibility in Websites

Web accessibility primarily aims at ensuring that an individual with any disability or impairment can use the website without encountering any barriers. These impairments can range from visual, auditory, physical, speech, cognitive, and neurological disabilities. For instance, a visually impaired user may use a screen reader or assistive software tools to navigate and understand the website content, whereas a user with motor disabilities may require the use of keyboard navigation instead of a mouse. Websites with proper accessibility measures prove to be inclusive, improving the user experience for all visitors. It also contributes to widening the website's audience base and improving its search engine rankings.

The Consequences of Non-Compliance

As the Indian government, in line with international standards, stepped up efforts to achieve a more digitally accessible environment, it issued a notification on January 27, 2021, mandating that all central government websites and apps should be fully accessible by January 2023. The government also issued a new requesting that all enterprises consider incorporating accessibility into their recruitment processes. In addition to this, the Indian government has imposed penalties for non-compliant websites. According to the Information Technology Accessibility Guidelines 2018, organizations failing to comply with the web content accessibility norms set by the Accessibility for India (A11Y) initiative may face penalties up to ₹5 Lakhs.

How Does an Accessibility Audit Help?

An accessibility audit is a thorough examination of your website's aspect to identify all the areas that need improvement for it to conform to the set accessibility standards, mainly the WCAG 2.1. The process typically includes the following steps:

Examining the website's content, including text, images, videos, and audio files, to ensure they are free from any barriers to perception.
Testing the website's user interface and interaction, such as links, forms, and menus, to verify they are easy to use and navigate.
Evaluating the website's navigation and orientation, to ensure that it supports assistive technologies and screen reader software.
Checking the website's compatibility with assistive technologies, and that its content can be read, understood, and interacted with by users with different disabilities.
Providing recommendations and remediation plans to improve the website's accessibility and ensure it is WCAG 2.1 compliant.

Common Accessibility Issues to Look Out for

Many common issues can lead to a lack of website accessibility if left unaddressed, with the following being a few notable ones:

Color deficiency and insufficient contrast:
Breakdown in proper website navigation, along with confusing interfaces and lack of keyboard navigation support;
Insufficient CAPTCHA performance and missing alternative text for images and logo;
Inadequate video, audio, and music formatting;
Missing transcripts, audio descriptions, and closed captions;
Complex content information and layout structure;
Inadequate browser compatibility support;
Failure to refrain from blinking and automatic content updates;
Absence of redundant text, labels duplication, and screen orientation issues;
Timeouts and blinking visual warnings;
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Benefits of Conducting an Accessibility Audit

Carrying out regular accessibility audits gives numerous benefits to websites, including:

Improvement in website accessibility and user experience;
Potential increase in the number of potential visitors;
Enhanced business credibility;
Better compliance with government regulations and avoidable penalties;
Increased search engine ranking and relevance;
Preparation for future legal compliance;
Better online reputation and public image;

Why Choose Cpluz for Your Accessibility Audit

At Cpluz, our team of experts with extensive experience in website design, development, and audit tailor the audit to meet your specific needs. Cpluz holds the combination of both technical and creative expertise required to marry accessibility and performance, creating a method for improving your website's accessibility without compromising its other features. Our team strives for the best possible outcomes for our clients and can guide you every step of the way, ensuring your site remains accessible and stays compliant with online accessibility standards.

Conclusion/Call to Action

Ensuring your website's accessibility is imperative for both Indian businesses and a broader audience worldwide. India, as a pioneer in web accessibility, mandates this, providing a more inclusive digital environment. Furthermore, website accessibility helps to establish a good user experience, adhere to rules and regulations, enhance your online reputation and credibility. Don't let your clients or patrons shy away from utilizing your resources or owing to an inaccessible website. From website audits to digital marketing strategies, Cpluz provides a whole suite of services, make sure to reach out to us at info@cpluz.com and visit cpluz.com to get an expert audit and start steong your path to compliance today!

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