Website accessibility refers to how usable a site is for individuals with disabilities. Websites are considered accessible when all content, features, and functions are equally available to everyone, independently and with assistive technology they may use.
Some people use assistive technology, such as screen readers, to use websites. Others might navigate the web using only a keyboard, use screen magnification software, use speech input, adjust contrast or display settings, or make use of other assistive technologies or adaptive controls.
Website accessibility is usually measured against the standards outlined in the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), which state that content must be Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, and Robust.
There are many factors to consider that make web content more accessible. Some of the basics include:
Accessibility can be thought of as a measurement or quality of usability, but it can also refer to the growing specialty of accessibility as a discipline. As a professional focus, accessibility is the practice of ensuring steps are taken to identify and reduce barriers to equal web access for people with disabilities.