What is web accessibility?
Web accessibility means that websites, tools, and technologies are designed and developed so that people with disabilities can use them.
What are the WCAG 2.0 Guidelines?
Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.0) is an internationally accepted standard or web accessibility developed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), an international team of experts. Following these guidelines should make it easier for everyone to access all websites and content.
Why is product accessibility important?
Studies show that 15% of the world's population lives with some form of disability. “Accessible products are better because, as the social model reminds us, they allow more people to participate in society, act in the world more independently, and live their lives with equality and a sense of belonging,” says Jackson McConnell, designer at Connected Lab.
What is sherpa° doing to be more accessible?
Accessibility keyboard functionality
When it comes to accessibility guidelines outlined by WCAG guidelines, there are a few best practices and considerations that are an absolute must. Being able to navigate a given site or element by using a keyboard is one of them. A11y keyboard functionality has now been added to all sherpa° solutions.
A11y keyboard navigation has also been added to the Map Element. Maps generally, however, are not very accessible by nature to individuals with a vision disability. We have recognized this and are considering how to best approach improving access for the visually impaired.
Improved Visual Accessibility on the Map
We have recently made improvements to our Map Element in an effort to be more accessible to those who are visually impaired with colourblindness. Our map now includes textures to help our end users differentiate between the different designated levels of country "openness". The different textures also help differentiate landmasses from water.
