Hey guys so we need to start taking accessibility seriously, it’s the law - right now we currently do nothing.

So let’s start with something super simple. Alt text has to be provided for an image...

“This is all bollocks let’s be honest”

😳🤦🏻‍♂️

Um...so I don’t make the rules, the W3C define the standards for the web. Disabled users matter...

It’s the law?

I agree, more work should be placed on accessibility but I doubt the internet will be enforcing it anytime soon unless google starts down ranking sites for it.

Also you can’t expect every button, link, image, p tag to be clearly labeled?

@C0D4 yeah it’s the law! It’s part of the equality act 2010. A product or service must make reasonable adjustments for disabled users.

Why do you think services like BBC, gov.uk are highly accessible.

You don’t need to label those elements they are naturally accessible if they follow web standards

Well the law depends on your country but it is good to do these things it is the difference between being professional or amateur developer.

@C0D4 I think the googs does actually penalize for excessive use of things that have no function but aren't labeled as such (so <i> tags e.g.). I know it pisses and moans about alt text for images like it's a cat on heat.

I used VoiceOver on our one site without having made it especially accessible and you could still navigate easily. Some things were in the wrong order and others could have been left out but for the most part screen readers are smart enough to work it out I think.

@DLMousey good point! Yes in the UK.

However I’m pretty sure there is an equivalent in the US. Target, Netflix have all fined across the pond due to a11y.

@onlinechris no ones come hunting me down with a pitch fork yet.. I guess I’m doing something right?

FYI: if anyone wants to read up on the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines
https://www.w3.org/TR/WCAG20/

@C0D4 Um...does that make it OK? It often depends on the value system of the company you’re at..

Eg disabled users have better things to do than take on a shoe company compared to a medical service. That alone will often trickle top-down into what is deemed acceptable code.