Accessibility best practices - insights from our webinar

Addressing digital exclusion

Quarina highlighted the urgent issue of digital exclusion and how they address these challenges at RNIB by ensuring their digital platforms are accessible to everyone, particularly focusing on users with visual impairments.

They have also substantially enhanced their content management system, Wagtail CMS, to make their site fully accessible. These improvements not only help in complying with legal standards but also greatly improve user engagement.

Overcoming accessibility blockers

Jonny presented statistics showing that approximately 70% of websites have critical accessibility blockers, potentially preventing access for 11 million disabled internet users in the UK alone. He emphasised the importance of adhering to Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), which not only make websites more accessible but also enhance their operational effectiveness, benefiting all users.

Inclusive user research

Jonny also shared valuable insights into conducting accessible user research and advocated adapting traditional research methodologies to be more inclusive. For instance, modifying card sorting and tree testing to accommodate users with visual impairments through moderated sessions can lead to more comprehensive understanding and insights. This approach ensures that all users, regardless of their abilities, can contribute meaningfully to the development processes, ultimately leading to products that are better suited to meet diverse needs.

Practical implementation of accessibility improvements

Jane and Ben discussed the practical aspects of embedding accessibility into the design and development phases of projects. They stressed the importance of early and iterative testing, particularly using unstyled HTML for screen reader accessibility and styled prototypes for low-vision testing. This approach allows for adjustments based on real user feedback, ensuring the final product is accessible to as broad an audience as possible.

Insights on content and end-user impact

Quarina shares how ensuring both the front-end and back-end accessibility of their digital platforms has been crucial, especially since RNIB’s team includes members with sight loss who regularly edit and upload content.

She also highlights the distinction between accessibility and usability, noting that while accessibility focuses on technical aspects to support users with disabilities, usability ensures a quality user experience for everyone.

The impact of these efforts is evident in their user engagement statistics. Since the launch of their website, RNIB has seen a 272% increase in sessions year on year. User engagement has risen by 276%, demonstrating that the content attracts more visitors and resonates with them. Additionally, audio usage on the site has skyrocketed by an incredible 12,814.6%, indicating a significant shift in how users are consuming content.

Quarina concluded by emphasising the importance of continuous feedback and iteration, highlighting that accessibility is an ongoing commitment that requires regular updates and improvements based on user needs and technological advancements.

Q&As

During the final Q&A, we had some brilliant questions including the costs associated with testing and iterating HTML prototypes as opposed to just using Figma, accessibility tools, and how to meet accessibility requirements in social media creatives.

Watch the full video above and skip to 49 minutes to hear the answers from the panel.