Accessibility Myths: Are You Excluding Users?

There’s a lot of misinformation floating around about accessible technology, and many professionals hold onto outdated or completely false beliefs. Are you inadvertently excluding potential clients, employees, or partners by clinging to these myths?

Myth 1: Accessibility is Only for People with Disabilities

Many believe that accessible technology is solely for individuals with disabilities. This couldn’t be further from the truth. While it undeniably benefits those with impairments, accessible design enhances the experience for everyone. Think about it: captions on videos aren’t just for the hearing impaired. They’re helpful in noisy environments, for people learning a new language, or even when you just want to watch something silently.

For instance, a colleague of mine at a prior job, who had no known disabilities, always used the “reader view” in her browser. She found it eliminated distractions and made articles easier to consume. This is a perfect example of how a feature designed for accessibility benefits a broader audience. Similarly, curb cuts, originally designed for wheelchair users, are now used by people pushing strollers, rolling luggage, and even cyclists. These are all examples of how accessible design benefits everyone. If you are interested in how to reach a wider audience, read our article on accessibility myths.

Myth 2: Accessibility is Expensive and Time-Consuming

This is a common misconception that prevents many organizations from prioritizing accessibility. The belief is that retrofitting existing systems or building accessible ones from scratch will break the bank and take up too much time. The truth is, while there can be an initial investment, incorporating accessibility from the beginning of a project is far more cost-effective than trying to fix it later.

Furthermore, there are many free and low-cost tools available to help make content more accessible. For example, most word processors have built-in accessibility checkers. And platforms like Deque Axe offer browser extensions to quickly identify accessibility issues on webpages. A report by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) found that early integration of accessibility considerations into the design process significantly reduces long-term costs.

Myth 3: If My Website is Compliant, I’m Done

Achieving compliance with accessibility standards like the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) is a great first step, but it’s not a one-time achievement. Websites are dynamic. Content changes, designs evolve, and new technologies emerge. Accessibility needs to be an ongoing process, not a checkbox to tick off.

We had a client, a small law firm near the intersection of Peachtree and Roswell Road here in Atlanta, who thought their website was “good to go” after an initial accessibility audit. Six months later, they added a blog with several new images lacking alt text and embedded videos without captions. Their site was no longer compliant. Continuous monitoring and regular audits are essential to maintain accessibility. The U.S. Access Board provides resources on maintaining accessibility compliance over time.

Myth 4: Screen Readers Can Understand Everything on a Page

While screen readers are powerful tools, they are not magic. They rely on properly structured content and accurate alt text to convey information effectively. Simply put, a screen reader can only interpret what it’s given. If an image lacks alt text, the user will miss out on that visual information. If headings aren’t properly structured, navigation becomes confusing.

I once reviewed a website for a local non-profit organization, the Atlanta Community Food Bank, and found that they used images of text instead of actual text in many places. Screen readers can’t interpret images of text, making that content completely inaccessible to visually impaired users. Ensuring proper semantic HTML structure and providing descriptive alt text for all images are essential for screen reader users. According to WebAIM’s Screen Reader User Survey #9, most screen reader users rely heavily on headings and landmarks for navigation. It’s important to understand accessible tech to improve your site.

Myth 5: Assistive Technology Compatibility is the Developer’s Problem

While developers play a crucial role in building accessible websites and applications, content creators also have a responsibility. Simply building a technically accessible platform doesn’t guarantee that the content added to it will be accessible as well. Content creators need to be trained on how to create accessible documents, write clear and concise language, and provide meaningful alternative text for images.

Think about it: a perfectly coded website is useless to a blind user if all the images are missing alt text. In fact, a 2023 study by the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) found that a significant portion of accessibility issues stem from poorly created content rather than technical flaws in the underlying code. Content creators need to be just as mindful of accessibility as developers. Learn more about how to train your staff on tech.

Myth 6: Accessibility is Ugly

There’s a false belief that accessible design means sacrificing aesthetics. Some assume that making something accessible will result in a bland, unappealing product. This is simply not true. Accessibility and good design are not mutually exclusive. In fact, accessibility can often lead to more user-friendly and intuitive designs.

Consider the use of color contrast. Ensuring sufficient contrast between text and background not only benefits users with low vision but also makes the content easier to read for everyone. Or think about clear and concise language. Avoiding jargon and using simple language makes content more accessible to people with cognitive disabilities, but it also makes it easier for everyone to understand. The key is to integrate accessibility considerations into the design process from the beginning, rather than as an afterthought. Many design systems, like Google’s Material Design, now incorporate accessibility guidelines. If you’re ready to unlock the potential of AI, a beginner’s guide to understanding AI is available.

Accessibility isn’t just a trend; it’s a fundamental aspect of creating inclusive and user-friendly experiences. By dismantling these common myths, professionals can create more accessible and equitable technology for everyone.

Don’t let these myths hold you back. Take action today to make your technology more inclusive. Start by evaluating your current practices and identifying areas for improvement. Even small steps can have a significant impact.