There are many myths about web accessibility. Adapting web pages to the needs of all types of users is a mandatory challenge today. For many years it has remained opaque and there are still those who resist implementing the changes required by law. The justifications that are usually used are diverse: lack of knowledge about how to make an accessible website, lack of initiative, little awareness…
The elimination of accessibility barriers for people with disabilities is associated with some mantras that are widespread. There are six myths about web accessibility that frequently appear as reasons why it is not addressed. These are arguments that, far from representing reality, are completely false and make it difficult for people with functional diversity to use the websites.
Myths about web accessibility:
Web accessibility is very expensive
The most widespread myth to excuse yourself. Each case would have to be analyzed individually and a study carried out. You cannot estimate a cost without taking into account the starting point. Furthermore, in many cases it is enough to implement some settings or functionalities to make the website accessible. However, web accessibility should always be understood as an investment and not as an expense due to its numerous advantages.
People with disabilities do not use the web
Do they not use the web or cannot use it? If they do not have the option to access, it is impossible for them to do so. More than 3.5 million people in Spain cannot navigate the websites because they are not accessible. Imagine the number of users that your portal loses and end up on other websites that are adapted. Why are you going to limit your clients when you can expand them?
Just one plugin
There are no magic solutions and plugins are insufficient. Although they allow you to modify basic aspects such as font size or color, they have important limitations. In no case do they cover all the criteria required by the normative. The human factor is decisive and manual review by a professional team is always necessary.
My clients do not have disabilities
According to the latest Olivenza Report of the State Disability Observatory, 27.3%, more than 1.7 million people, have barriers to accessing the Internet. Likewise, around 9% of the population in Spain, more than four million people, have disabilities. Have you wondered how much you could increase your potential audience with a more inclusive website?
Accessible websites are ugly
Mistake. Accessibility is not synonymous with boring. An adapted website is perfectly compatible with an attractive design. The big difference with a conventional portal is that it has certain functionalities adapted to the needs of people with functional diversity. Various colors, shapes and arrangements can be used, the key is to adapt the functions of the elements to the users.
The website is accessible because it is already audited
Be careful! It is true that the audit of a web page establishes whether or not it is accessible, but it does so at a specific time. The web universe is very dynamic and is constantly renewed (new content, sections…), which requires reviews to check that it is adapted. RD 1112/2018 establishes that this verification be carried out at least every three years.
