Principles of Inclusive Web Environments

Web accessibility means that websites, applications, and digital technologies are designed and developed so that people with various disabilities can use them. This allows users to interact with the internet regardless of hearing, speech, physical, visual, or other limitations. This lesson will help you understand why accessibility must be a core part of modern online services. It’s not only an ethical responsibility—it’s also a way to build a more inclusive and open digital space for everyone, regardless of their abilities. You’ll also review a list of countries with disability rights laws that require web accessibility compliance.

Earlier, you learned why it is important to pay attention to web accessibility. In this lesson, you will look at groups of users with various limitations and the tools that make online services more convenient for them. Additionally, you will explore a table of limitations that people regularly face. You can print it out or display a screenshot of it on a digital board. This image will help you remember the different limiting situations people may find themselves in and think about what solutions they might need. You will also learn to view your users through the lens of their needs rather than their type of disability. The advantage of this approach is that by focusing on needs, you can expand the percentage of people who require your service.

If you’ve never dealt with accessibility before, getting started can feel overwhelming. This lesson will show you how to plan for accessibility from the earliest stages of developing a web service. You’ll get a brief action plan to help you begin implementation. In the supplementary materials, you’ll find a reference guide for building accessible web resources. You’ll also receive a checklist you can use to inspire your team or management to start thinking inclusively.

Previously, you learned that accessibility is a shared responsibility, and the outcome depends on the professionalism of every team member. To create a high-quality web service for a wide range of users, everyone involved must understand and apply general accessibility rules. Once those are in place, it’s easier to move on to specialized tools and integrate them into your product. This lesson explains the core principles of accessibility. You’ll also get a list of key points to follow in order to improve your site’s accessibility level.

Design plays a critical role in building an accessible website. A designer’s job is to approach accessibility not as a checklist of requirements, but as an essential part of user experience. You already know that accessibility is a core aspect of usability. In this lesson, you’ll learn how to make your design accessible. The supplementary materials include a list of helpful tools for designers working on accessibility.

High-quality layout significantly improves the accessibility of your web service. The work involved in creating it doesn’t have to be assigned to a separate specialist, such as a front-end developer or programmer. A designer with the right skills can handle the layout, or you can do it yourself if you have experience building web resources. Some rules for creating accessible layouts will overlap with the principles you’ve already studied. That’s what this lesson will cover. Additionally, you’ll receive a list of tools that will help you explore accessibility more deeply and see the world the way people with disabilities experience it.

When developing accessible content, it’s important to keep your audience in mind. Think about older adults with hearing loss, users with limited tech skills, or those who struggle to understand complex language. This lesson will show you what you can do to support them. In the supplementary materials, you’ll find a checklist for evaluating whether your website content is accessible to different users, along with a list of additional tips for writing accessible content. You’ll also learn how to check your content’s readability using the Flesch-Kincaid test.