Helping others is hard wired into our DNA. It’s how we raise our children. It’s how we grow stronger as a community. It’s how we accomplish tasks as a group that an individual couldn’t complete in a hundred years.
It feels good to help because it’s important. Being human is to help.
Human infants inform others from as early as twelve months of age, pre-linguistically, by pointing. Chimpanzees and other apes do not point for one another at all”
Tomasello, M. (2009, p. 14). Why We Cooperate (First Edition). The MIT Press.
How does this relate to websites?
The web is egalitarian. It connects us all equally as we learn, shop, play, date, and create. This is the web’s most important trait and it’s also one of its largest flaws.
We aren’t able to see who is using our site. If they are happy, sad, struggling, we are unaware. We can’t assist or adapt. We can’t point at the big blue buy button when they struggle to see it on the screen. It’s frustrating because we don’t even know that anyone is struggling.
So what can be done? There are two categories to consider: tools and guidelines.
Tools
People with differing abilities already have tools in place to assist them. They are in the best position to solve their problem. They live 24/7 with their disability and are highly motivated to find the best solution for their needs. As website creators it’s not our place to pick their tool.
Website creators shouldn’t attempt to add an accessibility tool to their site. Accessibility overlays are particularly egregious.
Adding them may even make your site a target of an accessibility lawsuit. I have been personally consulted by a company that was sued twice while using accessiBe’s overlay.
Guidelines
As a website creator we have the responsibility of proactively making our websites accessible. It should be done with the same care and compassion as you would if a disabled user was struggling to use your site before your very eyes.
Below are some guidelines to consider:
W3C Accessibility Standards Overview
