David Moradi, CEO of AudioEye, shares insights on addressing digital accessibility.
The Challenges in Digital Accessibility
Statistically, only 3% of the internet is accessible currently. This effectively excludes 26% of American adults who live with a disability. As the CEO of AudioEye, a digital accessibility SaaS company, I have identified a correlation of two significant challenges that has deterred the widespread adoption of digital accessibility: the high cost involved and a complex legal framework.
Adopting a Technology-First Solution
Our findings indicate that the labor-intensive, manual process of identifying and remediating accessibility issues, which involves consultants and developers is not only expensive but also does not effectively address the magnitude of the problem. In response, we propose a combination of technology and human expertise, favoring a technology-first approach. Automation can assist in real-time monitoring and correction of most common accessibility errors, thereby significantly enhancing the browsing experience for those with disabilities. The remaining issues can then be addressed by human intervention which requires nuanced judgement.
The Complexity of the Internet
Approximately 250,000 sites are launched daily, many of which are designed without accessibility in mind. This lends to 97% of the internet being inaccessible. Maintaining accessibility even on websites designed with it in focus is an ongoing process fraught with challenges. Developers often work in time-bound ‘sprint cycles’ and may not have the luxury of time to address all accessibility errors before release. This showcased the necessity of a scalable solution to both remedy existing issues and provide ongoing monitoring for continuous accessibility.
The Cost of Accessibility Solutions
There is undeniable controversy surrounding the automation of accessibility solutions. The two prevalent models include inexpensive, automation-only solutions which are efficient in monitoring and detecting some, but not all issues; and costly manual services that provide site audits, reports and guidance for fixes. Neither model adequately addresses the an ability to monitor in real-time and fix issues at scale, while also being economically feasible for businesses of all sizes.
Legal Guidance and the Need for Clarity
Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is often debated in terms of the definition of “places of public accommodation”. There currently exists ambiguity as to whether online stores are included, or whether it pertains only to businesses with physical and online stores. Recently, there has been guidance issued on web accessibility and the U.S. Department of Justice has announced plans to clarify and expand the reach of Title II of the ADA. A concrete legal directive with clear technical web accessibility standards would not only help businesses understand their legal standing, but also emphasize the government’s commitment to the rights of people with disabilities in the digital age.
It is my belief that a universally accessible internet can be achieved through the adoption of an affordable technology-first approach and a clear legal framework.
Forbes Technology Council
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Tags: #digitalaccessibility, #ADA, #technologyfirst, #universalaccess
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