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Web accessibility is a fundamental aspect of website design and development that has a profound impact on user experience.

Beyond complying with regulations and standards, Web accessibility offers a number of significant benefits that not only improve inclusivity, but can also boost the success of your site.. Below, we highlight five of the main benefits of web accessibility:

1. Inclusion for All

Web accessibility ensures that everyone, regardless of disabilities, can access and use your website. This means your audience is greatly expanded, which can increase traffic and engagement on your site.

2. Improved User Experience

Web accessibility translates into a friendlier and more efficient experience for all users. The changes you make to make your site more accessible, such as proper image tags, content descriptions, and clear navigation, also benefit non-disabled users, improving the overall usability of your site.

3. Legal Compliance and Avoiding Sanctions

Complying with web accessibility regulations, such as the WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines), is a legal requirement in many jurisdictions. Failure to comply with these regulations may result in penalties and legal claims. Web accessibility not only helps you avoid these problems, but also positions you as a company committed to equality and inclusion.

4. Better Search Engine Performance

Search engines value web accessibility. Accessible websites typically rank higher in search results. This means your site will be more visible to online users, which can increase organic traffic.

5. Reputation and Customer Loyalty

Committing to web accessibility not only improves your online reputation, but also encourages customer loyalty. Users appreciate a website that cares about their convenience and accessibility. This can translate into long-term relationships with your clients and users.

In short, web accessibility goes beyond simply meeting standards; offers a host of benefits spanning inclusivity, improving user experience, legal compliance, better search engine performance, and building a strong reputation. Consider web accessibility as an investment in the quality and reach of your website, as well as building an inclusive and successful online presence.

Web accessibility is essential to ensure that all people can use and navigate websites effectively. However, its importance goes beyond inclusion.

Web accessibility also plays a vital role in SEO (Search Engine Optimization) and the overall performance of a website. Below, we highlight the main points of impact of web accessibility on SEO and why it is essential for all types of businesses, companies and institutions.

1. Improve User Experience (UX)
Web accessibility focuses on making content understandable and usable for all users, regardless of their disabilities. This results in a more positive user experience, which in turn reduces bounce rate and increases the time visitors spend on your site. Search engines value a good user experience and reward sites that offer it with higher rankings in search results.

2. Compliance with WCAG Guidelines
The WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) are internationally recognized standards for web accessibility. Adhering to these guidelines not only helps you reach a broader audience, but also improves your search engine rankings. Search engines favor content that meets accessibility standards, which can translate into better rankings in search results.

3. Increased Visibility and Organic Traffic
An accessible website is more visible to search engines, meaning it is more likely to appear in relevant search results. This increases organic traffic to your site, which is essential for online visibility and attracting new visitors.

4. Bounce Rate Reduction
Web accessibility focuses on providing clear, well-organized content. When users can easily find what they are looking for and navigate without obstacles, they are less likely to leave your site quickly (low bounce rate). A low bounce rate is a positive indicator for search engines and can improve your rankings.

5. Access to Unexplored Market Segments
By making your website accessible, you are opening the door to previously untapped market segments. This can result in a more diverse audience and opportunities for growth. Search engines value audience diversity, which can positively influence SEO.

Web accessibility is not an aspect that should be overlooked. For all types of businesses, companies and institutions, web accessibility is essential.

Not only does it meet legal obligations, but it also has a significant impact on online visibility, organic traffic, and user experience. No matter the size of your business or the industry you operate in, web accessibility is a key factor in online success.

Interested in Improving the Accessibility of your Website?
If you are interested in making your website more accessible and benefiting from better SEO, we are here to help! Contact us today through our Contact Form and one of our accessibility experts will provide you with personalized advice and begin the process of making your website more inclusive and successful.

Web accessibility and SEO go hand in hand, and we're here to make sure they're both under control.

The Ministry of Social Rights and Agenda 2030 imposed a fine of 90,000 euros on the airline Vueling (IAG subsidiary) due to the maintenance of a website that lacks accessibility for people with certain disabilities. The resolution, signed by Secretary of State Nacho Álvarez, indicates that the Spanish company fails to comply with 26 of the 38 required indicators by the law. The sanction is classified as a "serious in its maximum degree" infraction, since Vueling had already been subject to a similar inspection and sanction in 2015.

Since then, according to the document, "it has not worked on improving the accessibility of its website." Vueling's web accessibility has barely improved, since in 2015 27 of the 38 requirements were not met, 17 of them on more than 90% of pages. In 2018, this figure decreased to 26 breaches, 15 of them in more than 90% of pages. Non-compliance with level A criteria increased from 13 in 2015 to 11 in 2018.

The investigation and sanctioning file began in 2018 after a user reported Vueling for non-compliance with accessibility conditions for people with disabilities. A report from the National Center for Accessibility Technologies (CENTAC) indicated that only 4 of the 38 required requirements were fully met, while 26 requirements were not met at all. Of the 16 errors detected, more than half were found on the majority of the pages, which indicated a systematic problem in the application of accessibility criteria.

Besides, 11 of the errors were concentrated in priority level A, which is considered mandatory. The deficiencies affected perceptibility, operability and comprehensibility, which significantly hindered access for people with visual, motor and cognitive disabilities.

The Ministry of Social Rights and Agenda 2030 stated that Vueling did not take substantial measures to improve compliance with current regulations, which resulted in the sanction. The company has stated that around 50% of the required indicators are already implemented and that they are working on the application of the rest.

Web design plays a crucial role in the accessibility of a site. When it comes to making the web inclusive for everyone, design is one of the most determining factors. In this post, we will explore how web design influences accessibility and why it is essential to consider this relationship.

1. Responsive Design: Responsive design is essential for web accessibility. A layout that adapts to different screen sizes and devices ensures that all users, regardless of whether they are using a desktop, tablet or mobile phone, can access content without difficulty.

2. Contrast and Readability: An accessible web design pays special attention to color contrast. Colors and fonts should be carefully selected to ensure that content is readable for people with visual impairments or reading difficulties. Proper contrast between text and background is essential.

3. Intuitive Navigation: The navigation structure of a website plays a crucial role in accessibility. A clear layout and intuitive navigation make it easy for all users to find the information they are looking for effortlessly. Appropriate labels and descriptions are essential to help screen readers and people with cognitive disabilities.

4. Use of Multimedia: Web design also addresses the use of multimedia, such as images and videos. It is important to provide textual alternatives for images, which benefits people with visual impairments. Videos must include subtitles for those with hearing disabilities.

5. Accessible Interactivity: Web design must consider interactivity. Interactive elements, such as buttons and forms, should be accessible via keyboard and other assistive technologies. This ensures that all users can interact with the site without problems.

6. Testing and Feedback: Accessible web design is not a single task. Ongoing testing and feedback from users with disabilities is required to ensure the site meets accessibility standards. This helps identify and address specific problems.

In conclusion, Web design plays a vital role in creating accessible sites. Well-thought-out, accessibility-conscious design not only meets ethical standards, but also expands audience reach and improves the experience for all users.

In an exciting development for the digital community, important updates to web accessibility regulations have recently been announced. These modifications have the fundamental objective of bringing one step closer towards the full inclusion of all people in the online environment. The new regulations offer more precise and updated guidelines to ensure that websites are accessible to people with disabilities.

• Updated Regulations: The latest updates incorporate the latest international standards, such as Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 3.0, to ensure that websites meet accessibility expectations as effectively as possible.

• Emphasis on User Experience: The regulations focus on improving the user experience for people with disabilities, including those with visual, hearing, motor and cognitive disabilities. This includes improvements to navigation, color contrast, screen reader support, and content adaptability.

• More Awareness about Digital Inclusion: The regulatory updates not only benefit people with disabilities, but also promote greater awareness about the importance of inclusion in the digital world. It is hoped that these measures will inspire more companies and organizations to adopt accessible web design practices.

The Future of Digital Accessibility

These updates to accessibility regulations mark significant progress towards a more inclusive digital world. At Accesia, we are committed to staying abreast of these developments and working closely with our clients to ensure their websites comply with the latest regulations and provide accessible experiences for all users.