Web accessibility refers to the inclusive practice of ensuring that websites, tools, and technologies are designed and developed so that people with disabilities can use them. More specifically, people can perceive, understand, navigate, and interact with the Web, and they can contribute to the Web. Web accessibility also benefits others, including older people with changing abilities due to aging.

1. Inclusivity: Ensures that all users, regardless of their abilities or disabilities, can access and use web content effectively.
2. Universal Design: The design of products and environments to be usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design.
3. Assistive Technologies: Tools that help people with disabilities interact with the web, such as screen readers, screen magnifiers, and voice recognition software.

• Legal Compliance: Many countries have laws and regulations that require web accessibility, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in the United States and the Equality Act in the UK.
• Broader Audience: Making a website accessible increases its reach to a wider audience, including people with disabilities and older users.
• Improved Usability: Accessibility features often improve the overall user experience for everyone, not just those with disabilities.
• SEO Benefits: Accessible websites are often better optimized for search engines, as they follow best practices for web development.

Consider a simple HTML page with an image and a button:

• Alt Text for Images: The alt attribute in the <img> tag provides a text alternative for the image, which is crucial for screen readers used by visually impaired users.
• Semantic HTML: Using elements like <h1> for headings and <button> for interactive elements helps assistive technologies understand the structure and functionality of the page.

Task: Modify the following HTML snippet to make it more accessible.

Solution:

• Use of <button> Element: Replacing the <div> with a <button> element makes the interactive element more accessible, as buttons are inherently focusable and operable via keyboard, which is essential for users who cannot use a mouse.

• Ignoring Alt Text: Failing to provide alt text for images can make content inaccessible to screen reader users.
• Non-Semantic HTML: Using non-semantic elements like <div> and <span> for interactive content without proper roles and attributes can hinder accessibility.

Understanding what web accessibility is and why it matters is the first step in creating inclusive web experiences. By incorporating accessibility best practices, you not only comply with legal standards but also enhance the usability and reach of your web content. As you progress through this course, you'll learn more about the specific techniques and tools that can help you build accessible websites.