Digital accessibility for developers
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Digital accessibility can encompass a wide range of topics for a developer, which may seem daunting. To help with the process, it鈥檚 important to first focus on the basic principles of web development and why digital accessibility is so crucial.
What is digital accessibility?
Digital accessibility is an inclusive practice and design philosophy that all digital content should be accessible to all users, regardless of their abilities or disabilities.
The root of digital accessibility is a focus on usability and creating digital experiences that benefit everyone. The practice of digital accessibility extends that focus to prioritize and support usability for individuals with permanent, temporary, and situational disabilities.
While the word 鈥渄igital鈥� can encompass many areas of technology, including digital documents and devices, our focus for this document is on digital accessibility for web development.
Publishing digital content for people who can use a mouse and keyboard, see the screen, and hear audio is relatively straightforward for web developers. However, it takes skill and understanding of web systems to create usable digital content for people who rely on assistive technologies like screen readers, adaptive keyboards, or speech-to-text software.
Furthermore, digital accessibility is more than a practice or philosophy. It is also a civil right supported by government regulation, including the (ADA) and the University of Rochester鈥檚 Digital Accessibility Policy.
Key responsibilities for web developers
A solid understanding of HTML and other web systems, as well as how others interact with and consume digital content, is the foundation for creating usable and accessible websites.
All web developers should be proficient in the following topics:
- HTML (Hypertext Markup Language)
- WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines)
- HTML Accessibility API Mappings
- ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications)
All web developers should also work to:
- Stay informed on industry standards and best practices
- Understand how others use technology and interact with the web
- Integrate accessibility testing as part of development and deployment workflows
When web developers test content or functionality, it is easy to run tests based on their personal habits, abilities, and patterns and forget to consider how others might perform the same task.
Understanding that accessibility is another word for usability helps developers to be mindful of how they design, build, and test their content and functionality for others to consume.
Understanding how others consume web content helps developers create more inclusive and usable web products for a wider audience. Continuously testing web products with accessibility testing tools provides helpful oversight and ongoing education.
Training for web developers
The Digital Accessibility team is working to provide documentation, training, and other resources for understanding web technology and learning how to create and maintain accessible web products.
In the meantime, here is a checklist to get started:
- , especially the section on
Testing tools for web developers
Integrating accessibility testing tools into the overall web development workflow is crucial. Continuously testing web products while they are being developed and before they are deployed provides helpful oversight and ongoing education.
The Digital Accessibility team is developing a recommended workflow for testing websites for accessibility throughout the product’s lifecycle.
In the meantime, we have assembled a list of digital accessibility testing tools.
A community for web developers
Working within a community of web developers creates a supportive environment where members can learn from each other鈥檚 experiences, stay informed on industry trends, and tackle challenges together.
Digital Makers, the Communities of Practice (CoP) program聽for marketing, communications, and technology professionals at 暗网吃瓜, is designed to bring together professionals to share expertise, collaborate on challenges, and drive innovation in digital marketing, communications, accessibility, and technology.
Whether you want to enhance your skills, connect with peers, or help shape best practices across the university, Digital Makers offers a structured yet informal space to foster collaboration and professional growth.