As a Digital Accessibility Specialist, who started as a web developer with experience dating back to the early days of web design, when HTML tables were used for layout, and the concept of using divs was nonexistent, I’ve seen the web and its accessibility evolve over time. The push towards making digital content and experiences accessible to all users, regardless of ability or disability, has become a crucial aspect of web development. With technology advancing at a rapid pace, it’s clear that accessibility will continue to be a major focus in the future. In this article, I want to share my insights on some of the key trends that I believe will shape the future of digital accessibility in the coming years. From the use of artificial intelligence to the rise of voice-controlled interfaces, these trends will have a significant impact on how we create and consume digital content, and it’s important that we as developers and designers stay aware and adapt to these changes to make the web truly inclusive for everyone, here we’ll look at some of the key trends:
Increased use of artificial intelligence and machine learning
One trend that is likely to have a major impact on digital accessibility is the growing use of artificial intelligence and machine learning. These cutting-edge technologies have the potential to revolutionize the way we approach accessibility on the web. Imagine being able to analyze a website before it’s even launched and identifying potential accessibility issues before they become a problem for users. Or, think about the possibilities of creating personalized experiences for users with disabilities, such as providing alternative text descriptions for images or automatically adjusting font sizes and colors to meet the needs of those with visual impairments. And it’s not just on the web where we’ll see the benefits of AI, as AI-powered assistive devices become more widely available, they’ll make life easier for people with disabilities in ways we can’t even imagine yet. Another trend that’s worth mentioning is the rise of Augmented Reality (AR). It’s becoming increasingly popular and is being used in a range of different industries. AR can be used to help people with disabilities access the web, as it enables them to view content from multiple angles and in different formats. It’s exciting to think about how these technologies will continue to shape the future of digital accessibility.
Greater focus on inclusive design
As a design enthusiast, I’m always on the lookout for ways to make the web more inclusive for all users, regardless of ability or disability. One approach that I believe will gain more traction in the coming years is inclusive design. Inclusive design is all about designing products, services, and systems that are usable by as many people as possible, regardless of ability or disability. It’s an approach that focuses on designing for accessibility from the start, rather than trying to retrofit it after the fact. I can see more and more companies in the web industry adopting inclusive design principles in their design process, which is a positive step forward in making the web more accessible to everyone. It’s important to note that inclusive design is not just about making sure a website is compliant with web accessibility standards like WCAG (Web Content Authoring Guidelines) 2.1, it’s also about ensuring that the user experience is optimized for people with disabilities. It’s a holistic approach that takes into account the needs of all users and it’s something I believe will become a norm in the web industry.
More use of assistive technology
The topic of assistive technology is one that I find particularly important. Assistive technology, in case you’re not familiar, refers to any kind of technology that helps people with disabilities to access information and interact with the world around them. I can see a clear trend in the future where we’ll see more use of assistive technology on the web. Think about tools like screen readers, magnifiers, and text-to-speech software. These technologies can make a huge difference for people with visual, auditory, or mobility impairments, making it much easier for them to access and use the web. It’s not just on the web where assistive technology is becoming more prevalent, wearable technologies like smartwatches and fitness trackers are becoming increasingly popular. And this trend is likely to extend to assistive wearable technologies like smart glasses, smart canes, and smart hearing aids. These technologies can make a big difference in the lives of people with disabilities. Another trend that’s worth mentioning is the rise of eye-tracking technology. It’s becoming increasingly popular and is being used to help people with disabilities to access the web. It enables them to navigate websites and apps without the use of a mouse or keyboard. It’s exciting to think about how these technologies will continue to shape the future of digital accessibility.
Greater emphasis on mobile accessibility
More and more people are using mobile devices to browse the internet, and this trend is only likely to continue in the future. With this shift in mind, it’s become increasingly important for me to ensure that the websites and web applications I build are fully accessible on mobile devices. I can see a growing emphasis on mobile accessibility in the future, this includes the development of more mobile-specific accessibility guidelines and the inclusion of mobile accessibility considerations in the design process. Businesses need to take this into account as well, they need to ensure that their websites are accessible to people accessing them via mobile devices, as this will help to ensure that they are compliant with web accessibility standards. It’s becoming a crucial aspect of web development and it’s something that I take into account in every project I work on.
Improved website testing tools
As a developer, I know that testing tools play a crucial role in ensuring the accessibility of a website or web application. And I’m excited to see that in the coming years, there will be improvements in these tools, including more automated testing options and better integration with development processes. This is great news for developers like me, as it means that we’ll be able to identify and fix accessibility issues before a site is launched, ensuring a better experience for all users. Automated tools such as accessibility testing software can be a real lifesaver for businesses as well. They can help businesses quickly and easily identify any issues with their websites and ensure that they are compliant with web accessibility standards. And it’s not just about accessibility, best practices of digital accessibility also help with search engine optimization (SEO). As search engines become more sophisticated, they will start to incorporate accessibility metrics into their algorithms, resulting in improved rankings for websites that are accessible. It’s a win-win situation for everyone.
Digital Accessibility Lawsuits Will Increase
Lastly, one aspect that we should pay attention to is the laws and regulations around web accessibility. There are Federal laws like the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 508 which require businesses to make their websites compliant with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 to make them accessible to people with disabilities. Additionally, there are other countries that have their own accessibility laws and it’s crucial for businesses to be familiar with them as well to ensure compliance when creating digital experiences and to provide equal access for people with disabilities.
Overall, I’ve laid out some of the key trends that I believe will shape the future of digital accessibility. From the increasing use of artificial intelligence to the rise of inclusive design, all of these trends are working towards one common goal: making the web more accessible and inclusive for everyone. As technology continues to evolve at a rapid pace, it’s important to stay up-to-date on these trends and ensure that your website or web application is as accessible as possible. This is not only important for complying with laws and regulations but also for creating digital experiences that truly cater to the needs of all users. It’s a responsibility that I take seriously as a Digital Accessibility Specialist and I hope that more and more people in the industry will join me in this mission.