Accessible web design: an urgent priority for the public sector

New accessibility regulations coming in September mean major upgrades for public sector websites and digital platforms, warns Sigma's Hilary Stephenson

Currently, around 13 million people in the UK have some form of disability or condition.

That's around one-in-five people, but despite making up such a large percentage of the population, many aspects of modern life - including digital platforms - are not designed with these individuals' needs in mind. So, too often, they are unable to access the same services or information as easily as everyone else.

A recent study by Ofcom, for example, found that disabled people are less likely to use websites and apps due to widespread, alienating web design. Given that so many services are becoming digitised - from booking travel to securing healthcare appointments - such poor design could leave vulnerable users confused and isolated. It's therefore an issue that urgently needs addressing.

Platforms will need to be compatible with screen readers and speech recognition software

The Public Sector Bodies Accessibility Regulations 2018 are the UK implementation of EU Directive 2016/2102. They will require all new public sector websites and apps to meet certain accessibility standards, with the intention of ensuring that all public-sector digital platforms are "perceivable, operable, understandable and robust" to everyone.

The main aim of this is for public sector digital platforms to be inclusive to all users - particularly those with disabilities. For instance, platforms will need to be compatible with screen readers and speech recognition software.

Existing websites will have until 2020 to fully comply with these new guidelines. While this may seem like plenty of time, the scale of the task will differ between organisations depending on their website's current level of accessibility. This means that - for the thousands of public bodies currently in operation - accessibility must very quickly become a priority.

But how can the public sector put this into practice and ensure it's regulation-ready?

Public bodies cannot just improve one element of their site - it is important that all features are user-friendly and reach a high level of accessibility

In order to comply with these new guidelines, it is imperative that public sector organisations are, firstly, fully aware of what web accessibility means. This will ensure that any changes made to a company's digital platforms are fit for purpose.

According to Gov.uk, being accessible means that a website, app or any other commodity can be used by as many people as possible. This includes people with:

• Impaired vision;
• Motor difficulties;
• Cognitive impairments or learning disabilities;
• Deafness or impaired hearing.

Therefore, organisations will need to make content and design clear and simple enough so that most people can use it without needing assistance.

Preparation is key

Public sector websites and apps must meet relevant accessibility standards as outlined in the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).

The WCAG states that accessibility depends on several components working together, such as content, web browsers and assistive technology. Therefore, public bodies cannot just improve one element of their site - it is important that all features are user-friendly and reach a high level of accessibility.

This requires analysing all aspects of a website or app to identify any areas that need fixing. Companies should ask questions such as:

• Does this video enable subtitles?
• Can this page be navigated via keyboard?
• Are all images described via alternative text?

If the answer to these types of questions is ‘no', action is required.

The digital skills of users accessing a platform also need to be taken into consideration, ensuring any barriers to engagement are removed.

Free accessibility tools, such as WebAIM's Wave, can assist with this process by ensuring all potentially alienating elements of design are identified. This scrutinises webpages and highlights issues with code, design and content.

For larger organisations, a full accessibility audit is useful to provide a more in-depth review. The cost of these can vary depending on the size and scope of a website. Once discrepancies have been flagged, jobs can be prioritised according to urgency.

There are a number of simple features that can be incorporated into websites and apps to address any shortcomings and boost accessibility:

• Search results should be simplified by presenting them in groups - enabling users to easily find what they are looking for;
• Choices and actions should be constrained so that people aren't overwhelmed by too many options;
• Public bodies must use common, clear search terms to tag different relevant pieces of information;
• In navigation, people should be given quick routes to the information they need. The number of steps needed to complete an action must also be minimised so that users can achieve their goals quickly and easily.

Once alterations have been made, organisations should ask users for feedback regularly to make sure they are suitable.

Don't forget the accessibility statement

Alongside ensuring their digital platforms are designed to be accessible, public bodies will also need to publish an accessibility statement from September.

This should be published as a HTML page, linked from a prominent website location, for example, on the footer of their home page. Mobile apps, on the other hand, should ensure the statement is available before users even download the app. Copying it into an app's description on Android or Apple app stores is a simple way of doing this.

What must be included within these statements?

• An outline of how people can get alternatives to inaccessible content, should they require it;
• Any aspects of an app or website that do not meet the accessibility standards should be identified alongside an explanation why they are non-compliant;
• Clear instructions, outlining how people can contact a public body to report accessibility issues. This must be responded to within a reasonable amount of time.

Although not obligatory under the new legislation, it is also beneficial to include:

• Any measures taken to ensure accessibility;
• References to relevant national or local laws and policies;
• Proof that content has been tested and is fit for purpose.

The public sector can also refer to the Web Accessibility Initiative's in-depth guidelines to guarantee their statement adheres to the new regulation. Once approved and uploaded, this will need updating on an annual basis.

Why stop there?

Crucially, this regulation is not something that should be seen as a mere ‘box-ticking exercise'. Maximising accessibility in the public sector is a crucial way to ensure that millions of people with ranging abilities can have the same experiences and opportunities as everyone else.

And it shouldn't stop there. Following implementation, organisations should collect user feedback on an ongoing basis, striving to continuously improve their digital accessibility in the future.

Hilary Stephenson is managing director at user experience agency Sigma

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