Introduction

Welcome to Accessibility: Empowering Everyone

At our core, we believe in the power of inclusivity. The web is a vast universe where everyone, regardless of ability, deserves equal access. That's why accessibility isn't just a feature for us – it's a fundamental principle guiding everything we do.

Why Accessibility Matters

The internet is a global community, and its strength lies in its universality. Over one billion people worldwide, roughly 15% of the population, face some form of disability. This figure is even higher in developing countries. As our world becomes increasingly digital, ensuring digital inclusion and web accessibility is not just a moral imperative, but a practical necessity.

In the United States alone, more than 20% of the population lives with a disability. Legislation like the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 508 mandate adherence to accessibility standards like WCAG 2.0 AA. Non-compliance isn't just a legal risk; it's a denial of equal access, opening businesses to potential lawsuits.

Moreover, as technology saturates our lives, the prevalence of disabilities is expected to rise. Younger generations, in particular, face increased risks of visual and hearing impairments due to prolonged screen and headphone use.

Accessibility isn't just about meeting legal requirements; it's about recognizing the value of every user. People with disabilities constitute a vital user base that should not be overlooked in product and service development.

Who Benefits from Accessibility?

When considering accessibility, we factor in the following disabilities:

• Visual
• Auditory
• Motor
• Cognitive

That said, accessibility isn't just for those with disabilities; it enhances the online experience for everyone. From mobile users to older individuals with changing abilities, from those with temporary impairments to those facing situational limitations, accessibility ensures that no one is left behind. Good (accessible) design happens when you view your (design) from many different perspectives. `

Principles of Accessibility

We adhere to the POUR principles of accessibility:

• Perceivable: Ensuring content is available to all senses.
• Operable: Making interfaces navigable and operable by all users.
• Understandable: Ensuring content and interfaces are clear and easy to understand.
• Robust: Building content that can be reliably interpreted by a wide variety of user agents, including assistive technologies.

When to Prioritise Accessibility

Accessibility is not an afterthought; it's a core consideration from the project's inception. While some aspects of accessibility are straightforward to implement, others require more expertise. By integrating accessibility from the outset, we ensure efficiency and effectiveness, sparing the need for costly retrofits down the line.

At Condé Nast, accessibility isn't just a checkbox – it's our commitment to empowering everyone in the digital landscape. We aim to build a web that's truly inclusive and accessible to all.