The start of a new year is a perfect time to look back and forward. What's on the agenda for the coming months? What changes are coming that will impact your business? For business owners with a website, there's an important change you shouldn't ignore: starting June 1, 2025, all websites must comply with new digital accessibility regulations. This is a crucial time to start improving your website's accessibility, so you not only comply with the law but also serve a broader and more diverse audience.
What are the new rules for digital accessibility?
The government has decreed that websites must be accessible to everyone, including people with disabilities. This applies to businesses of all sizes. The new legislation requires that websites comply with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), which ensure, among other things, readability, navigation, and interaction with the website for people with visual, auditory, motor, or other disabilities.
The requirements are broad and include, for example:
- User-friendly navigation: The website should be easy to navigate, including for people who use assistive devices such as screen readers or alternative input devices.
- Alternative text for images: All images on the website must have descriptions so that they are understandable for people using screen readers.
- Colors and contrast: The colors and contrast on your website should be set so that they are easily visible to people with visual impairments.
- Keyboard navigation support: The website should be fully operable with a keyboard, for people who cannot use a mouse.
As a business owner, you must ensure your website complies with these guidelines to reach a wide audience, including people with disabilities. This means not only complying with the law but also taking an important step toward inclusion and broadening the reach of your products or services.
Why is it important to take action now?
Many entrepreneurs often postpone important changes, but the time to take action is now. The law requires that your website be fully accessible by June 1, 2025. This may seem far off, but improving your website's accessibility can be time-consuming, depending on how well-designed your website is currently.
Many of the improvements needed to comply with the new regulations, such as adjusting images, restructuring content, and improving navigation, can be quite time-consuming. That's why it's important to start now. If you start now, you'll have plenty of time to make the necessary adjustments without the stress of a looming deadline.
What happens if you don't comply with the new rules?
Failure to comply with the new regulations can have consequences. Businesses that fail to make their websites accessible may face fines. It can also negatively impact your brand and reputation. Customers expect your website to be open and transparent, and an accessible website can help attract a larger and more diverse customer base.
There are also business benefits associated with digital accessibility. By creating a website that's accessible to everyone, you not only expand your reach but also demonstrate your company's commitment to inclusion. This can strengthen your brand and differentiate your company from competitors who may not be meeting the new requirements.
How do you make your website accessible?
Improving your website's accessibility can seem daunting at first, but there are several steps you can take to make the process manageable. Here are some practical tips:
- Audit your websiteStart with a thorough audit of your current website to identify any shortcomings. Various tools and software are available to help you identify accessibility issues.
- Collaborate with professionalsIf you're unsure where to begin or how to implement necessary improvements, it might be wise to work with a web developer or accessibility expert. They can help you implement the necessary changes.
- Customize your contentMake sure all text on your website is easy to read. This means using clear fonts, sufficient contrast between text and background, and avoiding excessively long paragraphs or complex sentences.
- Make your media accessible: Add alt text to images, provide subtitles for videos, and make other media accessible to people with disabilities.
- Test your website: After making changes, it's important to thoroughly test your website, both with software and by real users using different tools.
Don't wait too long: Start today!
Waiting to make the necessary improvements can lead to a last-minute rush to meet the deadline. It's much wiser to start now, so you not only comply with the law but also offer a better and more inclusive user experience. The time to start is now.
More information about the legislation and how to comply with the new digital accessibility rules can be found on the government website.
Make 2025 the year your company not only complies with the law but also opens the way to a wider audience. Take the step toward an accessible future!
