According to a new report recently released by the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF), 30% of the homepages of the most popular federal websites fail to follow modern web accessibility standards. And nearly half (48%) failed the test on at least one of their three most popular pages, leaving large accessibility gaps for users with disabilities.
Out of a list of the 72 most popular federal websites, only four sites earned perfect scores when tested for compliance with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act. The four sites that passed the test include:
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Department of Health and Human Services
- U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services
- The White House
The lowest-scoring federal websites for accessibility include:
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- United States Marine Corps
- Energy Information Administration
“Web accessibility should be a top priority for the federal government,” said ITIF Vice President Daniel Castro, who co-authored the report. “Creating an accessible website requires taking into account the fact that not every user will be able to see or hear content, or use a keyboard or mouse to navigate. Web developers should adhere to accessible-design principles, such as using high-contrast colors, providing text alternatives to audio and visual content, avoiding the use of flashing animations that might cause seizures, and using labels for buttons so people using a screen reader can navigate the site. Following those design principles will not only help people with disabilities, but also ensure all users can navigate federal websites more easily.”
According to the CDC, 61 million adults in the United States live with a disability. Not only should web accessibility be a top priority for the federal government, it should be a top priority for all types of businesses and organizations.
Getting started with digital accessibility can feel like a huge task – especially without a technology background. Oleb Media specializes in helping organizations create a digital inclusion strategy so that they can operationalize digital accessibility and foster the most inclusive digital presence. Please contact us for a free one hour consultation.