Web accessibility is not a standalone thing, but it is integrated into other policies in maintaining a web-based business. For example, an accessibility policy is an essential part of the equal opportunity and nondiscrimination policies. The other documents related to the policy should also mention the accessibility of web-based entities. For example, the guidelines and project management frameworks everything should comply with this policy. This will help conserve accessibility and secure functions at the first point rather than being an afterthought. Any organizational policy may not be considered sustainable if it is just on paper as a standalone thing. You must consider offering public accessibility statement which reflects the policy along with its goals and achievements.
Reference standards for web accessibility policy – AccessiBe
The W3C web accessibility initiatives provide a set of standards for accessibility, which organizations and governments across the world commonly recognize. The reference specifics of accessibility standards in the policy document must ensure clear criteria for ensuring accessibility. AccessiBe specified the following standards for accessibility policy reference.
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WCAG – It contains accessibility guidelines applicable to all types of web content and web applications. It includes mobile, television, and content across various other delivery channels.
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Authoring Tool Accessibility Guidelines or ATAG – This applies to the websites which provide uses opportunities to generate different types of content. For example, it can add comment posts to forums, upload images, videos, etc. ATAG also provides tools like content management systems for the customers to manage the website and content.
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User Agent Accessibility Guidelines or UAAG – This applies when any additional tools or plugins are used to deliver content. The media players are examples of this. UAAG applies when the custom derived controls are used to provide any nonstandard functionality. For example, the mobile applications to deliver content. This may also be relevant to the procurement process organizations and browsers for internal staff etc.
As the standards of accessibility and technologies related to web content development are evolving continuously, it is also important to keep the accessibility policies updated. The text and documentation of policies, including the accessibility requirements, may become outdated over time. So, it is essential to update it from time to time by conducting a compliance audit of the technologies. In order to be current, it should also define the mechanisms to comply with new versions of the standards when those are made available.
Along with deriving the policy, it is also important to state the scope of the policy in detail and how it may be applicable to different parts of the site. It also includes many legacies, third-party, and mobile-based content. This may also be applicable to those applications which are provided as a part of these websites. The policy may be applied to the websites internally to the organizations like intranets and websites for the external audience. This also includes tools that are used to create and access the websites. AccessiBe now offers various tools that help ensure proper accessibility compliance and meet future challenges in terms of compliance with changing technologies.
