Government policies play a huge role in encouraging and enforcing digital accessibility. When government entities put laws and procedures in place, it gives businesses and other organizations a standard to follow to ensure that people with disabilities can fully participate in the digital world.
Federal law, Section 508, requires federal government websites to meet specific accessibility standards. While many states and local agencies have their own requirements, there is still room for improvement in the public sector to provide digital accessibility.
A recent report found that less than half of state and local (39%) and federal (43%) respondents saw digital accessibility as a top priority among leadership.
Here are a few ways in which government bodies can promote digital accessibility requirements and efforts:
Government agencies can establish and enforce legal requirements to mandate digital accessibility. These regulations could include specific standards and guidelines organizations must follow to ensure their digital products and services are accessible.
The option to develop and publish accessibility standards and guidelines, like the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), can be a reference point.
During the procurement process, governments can enforce policies that require vendors and contractors to comply with accessibility standards. Doing this creates a strong incentive for businesses to prioritize accessibility features in their products and services.
Providing financial incentives or grants to organizations and businesses that prioritize and invest in digital accessibility creates an incentive. Financial support will encourage businesses to allocate resources to improving accessibility features in their digital offerings.
Promoting awareness and providing training programs to educate businesses, developers, and the public about the importance of digital accessibility gives companies the skills they need to provide an accessible experience for all users. Training initiatives also help build a culture of inclusivity and understanding.
Creating and establishing agencies responsible for monitoring and enforcing digital accessibility standards holds companies to a specific standard and shows there will be repercussions. Regular audits and assessments can help guarantee compliance and address non-compliance through penalties or other measures.
Government agencies collaborating with advocacy groups, industry associations, and other stakeholders to develop inclusive policies and share best practices fosters a holistic approach to digital accessibility. This approach makes this effort feel more achievable.
By investing in research and development initiatives that focus on creating innovative technologies to enhance digital accessibility, the support leads to the development of new tools and solutions that benefit people with disabilities.
While there are procedures in place, policymakers must do more work to ensure forward momentum in digital accessibility. There are many ways for government agencies to harmonize digital communication and facilitate an accessible virtual world.