Benchmarks for measuring accessibility: Overview, definition, and example
What are benchmarks for measuring accessibility?
Benchmarks for measuring accessibility are standardized metrics or criteria used to assess how well a product, service, or environment meets accessibility standards for individuals with disabilities. These benchmarks serve as a reference point to evaluate the usability and inclusiveness of websites, digital tools, buildings, or other physical spaces, ensuring they are accessible to people with various disabilities, including those related to vision, hearing, mobility, and cognitive functions.
In the context of digital accessibility, benchmarks might include adherence to web accessibility guidelines, such as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), which set standards for how digital content should be structured to be usable by people with disabilities. In physical spaces, benchmarks might involve compliance with regulations like the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) for accessible design in buildings, including ramps, door widths, and signage.
Why are benchmarks for measuring accessibility important?
Benchmarks for measuring accessibility are crucial because they ensure that products, services, and environments are usable by as many people as possible, including those with disabilities. By setting clear standards for accessibility, benchmarks provide a concrete way to measure how well an organization or product meets the needs of all users, which is essential for ensuring inclusivity, compliance with laws, and improving user experience.
For businesses and organizations, meeting accessibility benchmarks is not only a matter of legal compliance but also a way to reach a broader audience, improve customer satisfaction, and demonstrate social responsibility. For users with disabilities, these benchmarks provide assurance that they can access and use services or products in a way that meets their needs.
Understanding benchmarks for measuring accessibility through an example
Let’s consider an online retailer, ShopEase, that wants to ensure its website is accessible to people with disabilities. ShopEase decides to measure its website’s accessibility using WCAG 2.1 as a benchmark. They conduct an audit of the website based on WCAG’s guidelines, which include criteria like:
- Text alternatives for non-text content (e.g., images with alt text for screen readers)
- Keyboard accessibility (ensuring all functions can be accessed using a keyboard)
- Color contrast (ensuring text has sufficient contrast with the background for readability by users with visual impairments)
- Navigation (ensuring users can navigate the website with ease, including those using assistive technologies like screen readers)
After evaluating the website against these criteria, ShopEase finds that while the site meets most of the WCAG standards, there are a few areas where it falls short, such as providing alt text for all images. As a result, the company makes the necessary adjustments to meet the required benchmarks, improving accessibility for all users.
In another example, a public library is renovating its building and wants to ensure it is accessible to individuals with mobility challenges. The library consults the ADA Standards for Accessible Design as a benchmark to ensure the new entrance, hallways, and bathrooms meet accessibility requirements. They assess features like door widths, the availability of ramps, and the height of service counters. By meeting these benchmarks, the library ensures it complies with accessibility laws and provides a welcoming space for all visitors.
Example of a benchmark for measuring accessibility
Here’s how a benchmark for measuring accessibility might be applied to a website in a policy or evaluation:
“The website will be evaluated using the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1, Level AA standards, and will be required to meet at least 90% of the criteria within the next 12 months. Key accessibility benchmarks include: providing alt text for all images, ensuring all interactive elements are keyboard-accessible, and maintaining sufficient color contrast for text readability. A quarterly audit will be conducted to monitor progress and ensure compliance.”
Conclusion
Benchmarks for measuring accessibility are essential tools that help organizations assess whether their products, services, or environments are inclusive and usable by individuals with disabilities. By adhering to these benchmarks, businesses and service providers can improve the user experience, comply with legal requirements, and demonstrate a commitment to inclusivity. Whether applied to websites, mobile apps, or physical spaces, these benchmarks ensure that all users, regardless of ability, can access and navigate offerings in a way that suits their needs.
This article contains general legal information and does not contain legal advice. Cobrief is not a law firm or a substitute for an attorney or law firm. The law is complex and changes often. For legal advice, please ask a lawyer.