Nowadays, it is very common for the launch of a new website or the modernization of any platform to be announced as “more accessible” spaces or “committed to accessibility.” They are two expressions that are generally justified with the use of tools or plugins that adapt the format to gain web accessibility, but the reality is that software of this type does not meet all the minimum requirements.
These support tools do not imply that a platform is accessible and it is advisable to carry out a review to correct any deficiencies. In fact, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Digital Transformation does not recognize as such a website that is limited to the use of help applications. Despite this, in recent years numerous plugins have emerged: WP Accessibility, SOGO Accessibility, Accessibility Widget, Inclusite or Insuit are some examples.
In general, these systems allow you to modify basic aspects such as font size, contrast or color, but in no case do they cover all the obligations required by the regulations. Surely you have asked yourself the following question: if I can navigate using keyboard, voice and audio, why is it not considered an accessible website? Because the accessibility guidelines go further and require more depth. Furthermore, people with disabilities often use their own reading devices, so in most cases they cannot take advantage of those adaptation buttons.
Plugins don’t do everything for you
It is clear that plugins improve web accessibility, but they do not do everything for you nor do they work as a magic wand that solves the problem because they have important limitations. Its use involves downloading a tool that in theory increases accessibility, but in practice it means that the user cannot use the assisted technology with which they usually move on the Internet. Likewise, it involves the installation of a custom plugin whose adaptation levels may have deficiencies.
Another problem that may arise is that the website has deficiencies in its structure and therefore these programs are insufficient, they are not useful at the level of accessibility. Web adaptation is a global challenge that demands a global response, that is, a simple solution like the one offered by a plugin is not enough to face the removal of the multitude of accessibility barriers that exist.
A practical example can be seen in videos, since these support tools do not generate subtitles automatically. They also do not usually check the operability of the website, the creation of alternative texts is usually erroneous and they do not offer important navigation instructions such as opening new tabs.
In short, plugins cannot be used as an alternative to configure an accessible website. Are they useful? Yes, because they really are programs that provide some functionalities, but in no case are they comparable to the required criteria in web accessibility.
