Author: Marcelo Cazon — November, 2024
The digital landscape has undergone significant changes over the years. With this evolution, accessibility has moved from afterthought to a key topic of discussion. Technology has welcomed this shift through its own advancements, becoming a tool in the realm of accessibility and including many of the individuals previously excluded due to their physical or cognitive challenges.
Today, accessibility is integral to business- not just a supplementary consideration. Companies that don’t prioritize accessibility risk falling behind. Accessible design now plays a crucial role in driving business growth and connecting a diverse audience so everyone can enjoy products and services. In the U.S., specific regulations mandate that designers and companies adhere to guidelines before launching any product. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), signed into law on July 26, 1990, was the first civil rights law advocating for individuals with disabilities. This Act has evolved alongside technological advancements, with updates introduced in 2008 and 2010. These changes have led to enhanced accessibility standards, which now include color contrast, text alternatives, text size and zoom options, text cues, and video captions. While technology for assistive purposes is becoming more important, it is not yet a requirement.
Accessible design now plays a crucial role in driving business growth and connecting a diverse audience so everyone can enjoy products and services.
Websites and commercial facilities are considered “places of public accommodation” by the American government, requiring them to provide equal access to information in accordance with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). Established in 1999, these guidelines serve as a web-focused accessibility checklist, with the latest version, WCAG 2.2, published in October 2023. While federal agencies are legally mandated to comply with these standards, private businesses use the practices as a guideline to promote equal accessibility.
As awareness of accessibility grows, the rise of dedicated experts within companies has further transformed the design landscape, bringing a new level of empathy to the process. The importance of these specialized teams goes beyond streamlining the design process; they allow teams to take the time to conduct research and understand the needs of individuals with accessibility needs.
At Cinchio, we put the focus on addressing accessibility challenges, particularly with our kiosk and mobile ordering products. Our team ensures that these systems incorporate features such as voiceover settings for visually impaired users, high-contrast colors, and readable fonts, enhancing usability for all users. This ensures that everyone has the opportunity to engage with and benefit from our products.
While accessibility has made remarkable progress in the past decade, there is still significant work to be done. Fortunately, social media has sparked conversations around accessibility issues, enabling businesses to refine their designs based on genuine feedback.
There’s never been a better time to be involved in the accessible design field. It benefits not just your customers, but also enables your business to reach a broader audience and be at the forefront of changes in the legal landscape. If you have questions about how to implement accessible design in your own technology strategy, get in touch.
