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The Value of Full Conformance
While there are several ways you can address your website or software’s accessibility, manual, human-led auditing and remediation is the only way to achieve full code conformance with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines.
…and achieving full code conformance is extremely valuable for a business. In fact, in today’s day and age, it can affect a business’s overall success.
Most businesses address two specific components (among many others) in order to succeed. Usually, businesses must ensure that they:
- Remain profitable, and
- Follow all applicable laws and regulations
Digital accessibility has a direct effect on a business’s profitability and its legal compliance.
If you address your accessibility and offer an inclusive digital experience to your users, you’ll see several benefits. But if you neglect your accessibility – or rely on an automated solution that results in only partial conformance – you’ll have to consider several risks.
So, first things first…what happens if you don’t become fully accessible?
3 Risks of Not Having a Fully Accessible Website or Software
Being “fully conformant” means that your website or software has incorporated accessibility into its underlying code and satisfies (or “conforms” to) specific criteria under the WCAG. Automated solutions like overlays can offer some accessibility support, but no software-only accessibility solution currently available will allow your business to reach full code conformance. That’s because computers alone are simply incapable of fixing all code-level accessibility issues. Manual, human-led testing is the only way to ensure that all WCAG criteria are satisfied.
Without addressing a website or software’s actual code, accessibility solutions cannot provide users with a fully accessible experience…and not providing users with an accessible experience comes with several risks.
If your website or software isn’t fully accessible, your business:
1. Won’t be protected against legal action.
The number of digital accessibility demand letters and lawsuits filed against inaccessible businesses is steadily increasing. The only way to receive effective legal protection against them is to be fully conformant with the WCAG, which covers specific criteria that websites and/or software must satisfy at the code level. Even if your website partially conforms with the WCAG, the gaps in your accessibility will provide legal teams with ammunition.
2. Won’t be able to do business with the federal government.
Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act requires that all departments and agencies within the United States federal government provide accessible digital experiences to users with disabilities. If you are a federal contractor or are attempting to become a federal contractor, you may have to prove that your website or software meets their accessibility requirements.
3. Will lose out on potential profits.
Not only does excluding disabled users have social implications – consumers nowadays take social responsibility into account when deciding whether or not to purchase things from a brand – but limiting your audience will also limit your earning potential. Excluding users with disabilities from your content, products, and services will put a cap on your profits.
Achieving full code conformance combats all of the risks listed above. In fact, no other way of addressing digital accessibility issues will result in a fully accessible experience for web users.
Thankfully, in addition to minimizing risks, full code conformance through manual auditing and remediation is also highly beneficial!
The Benefits of Full Code Conformance
By remediating your website for accessibility and achieving full code conformance, you’ll not only lower your level of risk – you’ll also offer disabled users the highest level of accessibility support possible. Plus you’ll save money to boot.
First, the price companies pay to combat digital accessibility litigation is typically much higher than the cost of accessibility remediation. But addressing your accessibility at the code level first won’t just mitigate your risk of getting sued – it will also help you reach a much broader audience. And a broader audience equals more leads and higher profits.
If you want to address your accessibility at the code level and create an inclusive experience for your users, check out [Insert your accessibility services/remediation landing page here].
An important note to keep in mind: achieving full conformance once shouldn’t be the end of your accessibility efforts. As your content changes, your web hosting platform updates, or your team members rotate, you’ll need to ensure that your website or software remains accessible. The best way to keep on top of your accessibility is to have ongoing accessibility management.
[Your Name/Company Name] also offers [Insert name of your ongoing/monthly accessibility services subscription] options to complement the initial accessibility work you receive, ensuring your content is kept up-to-date and accessible.