EqualWeb’s accessibility widget empowers users to customize their web experience with ease, offering features like screen readers, contrast adjustments, and text resizing for seamless, inclusive navigation.
Project overview
The EqualWeb Accessibility Widget was created to enhance web navigation for users with disabilities, providing tools that make websites more inclusive and compliant with global accessibility standards. Globally, over 1 billion people (or 15% of the population) experience some form of disability, and in the U.S., 1 in 4 adults live with a disability that affects their ability to interact with web content. These users often face challenges such as reading small text, navigating with keyboards, or viewing low-contrast visuals.
The widget addresses these challenges by offering tools like screen readers, contrast adjustments, and text resizing. It ensures compliance with WCAG 2.1 guidelines, improving usability and making the web accessible to a larger audience of users relying on assistive technologies.
The problem
Web accessibility remains a significant issue for millions of people worldwide. Users with disabilities often struggle to navigate websites that are not designed with accessibility in mind. Common issues include difficulty reading small or low-contrast text, navigating using only a keyboard, and accessing information without visual aids. Without these features, users with disabilities are often excluded from the digital experience, leading to frustration and abandonment.
With 26% of U.S. adults facing accessibility challenges and more than 1 billion people globally living with disabilities, the need for accessible web tools is critical. Without adequate accessibility features, websites risk losing engagement from these users due to high bounce rates and limited usability.
The EqualWeb Accessibility Widget was developed to resolve these issues by empowering users to personalize their web experience, making online navigation intuitive and accessible to all.
Key features
The EqualWeb Accessibility Widget comes equipped with several critical tools designed to address the specific needs of users with disabilities:
Screen readers
The widget includes an integrated screen reader that provides auditory feedback, allowing users with visual impairments to navigate websites with ease. This tool reads out web content, including text, buttons, and even image alt-tags, providing users with an inclusive web experience. Screen readers are essential for visually impaired users to access information and interact with the digital world.
Text resizing and contrast adjustments
The widget offers text resizing options that allow users to adjust font size according to their needs, making content more readable without straining their eyes. Additionally, the contrast adjustment feature allows users to switch to high-contrast modes, enhancing visibility for those with low vision. Users can quickly adjust these settings without leaving the page, ensuring a seamless browsing experience tailored to their needs.
ARIA integration and enhanced keyboard navigation
The widget fully integrates with ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) standards, making it compatible with screen readers and other assistive technologies. This integration ensures that all interactive elements on the website—such as buttons, links, and form fields—are accessible via assistive tools. Furthermore, the widget enhances keyboard navigation for users with mobility impairments, allowing them to move through the website using only their keyboard.
Customizable design and seamless integration
One of the widget’s standout features is its flexibility in design. Website owners can customize the widget’s appearance to match their branding, ensuring a cohesive and polished look. Whether it’s adjusting the color scheme, the placement on the page, or even adding company-specific accessibility features, the widget can be tailored to meet the specific needs of any website while maintaining its accessibility standards.
Support for multiple languages and real-time adjustments
The widget supports multiple languages, making it accessible to a global audience. Users can easily switch between languages, ensuring that the accessibility features are not limited by language barriers. Additionally, all adjustments made via the widget, such as text resizing or color contrast changes, are applied in real-time, allowing users to experience immediate improvements without the need for page reloads or interruptions.
Results & impact
The EqualWeb Accessibility Widget had a significant impact on improving web accessibility for users with disabilities. Some of the key metrics include:
• 15% increase in engagement from users leveraging accessibility tools such as text resizing and screen readers.
• 20% reduction in bounce rates for users relying on keyboard navigation or contrast adjustments.
• Websites that implemented the widget saw enhanced compliance with WCAG 2.1 guidelines, making their platforms more accessible and user-friendly to a wider audience.
By integrating the widget, websites not only became more accessible but also offered an improved user experience for millions of people with disabilities around the world.