Web Accessibility Timeline
Web Accessibility 101
Overview
This gives users an introduction to web accessibility. It defines the term, describes the history of it, and provides examples and non-examples of accessibility. There is a short self-quiz at the end to test comprehension.
What is Web Accessibility?
Websites and digital tools are designed inclusively so that people with disabilities can navigate, understand, interact with, and contribute to the Web.
History of Web Accessibility
| 1973 | Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (includes Section 508) |
| 1990 | Americans with Disabilities Act |
| 1998 | Section 508 amedned to include digital content |
| 2018 | Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.1) released |
Rehabilitation Act of 1973: outlaws employee discrimination on the basis of ability/disability
Americans with Disabilities Act: wider protection for people with disabilities (ex: voting, employment, transportation, communication, and access to government resources/programs)
Section 508 ameded: now inclusive of digital content
WCAG 2.1 released: revised guidelines for ensuring web content is accessible
Examples of Web Accessibility
Below are some examples of accessible vs. inaccessible web features. There are many more, so be sure to check guidelines.
| Accessible | Inaccessible |
| All images have alt-text to textually describe what they depict | Images are stand-alone with no textual descriptions |
| All videos have closed captions | Viewers are expected to listen or simply read lips while watching videos |
| Text and background have significant color contrast | Text color is yellow and background color is green |
| Web page has a zoom feature to allow viewers to adjust size | Web page has one size only |
Quiz your Knowledge!
Consider the following scenarios and whether they exhibit web accessibility or web inaccessibility.
- A photograph of a dog on a web page has the description: "Image of a small grey dog sitting on the patio of a house."
- A page that does not allow users to zoom in, but does allow them to scroll up and down.
- A web page with white background color and dark blue text color.
- A video that has text captions that align with the interviewer speaking.
- An entire webpage has scripted cursive font.
Jot down your answers for 1-5 on a piece of paper or digital document.
How Well Do You Know Web Accessibility?
Check your answers to questions 1-5.
- Accessible :) Alt-text is necessary on all images, so that screen readers can relay visual elements.
- Inaccessible :( Pages must have zoom ability to allow users to increase text and image size.
- Accessible :) Light background, dark text is acceptable color contrast.
- Accessible :) Closed-captions are necessary for users hard of hearing to be able to read what is spoken in videos.
- Inaccessible :( Fonts should be legible and body text especially should be in a straight-forward, clear font.
:) If you have 4 or 5 questions correct, great job! You can recognize acceptable and poor examples of web accessibility and carry that knowledge into your future work.
:( If you only have 1, 2, or 3 questions correct, good try. You may want to consider future research to deepen your understanding.