Today’s online environment, in the context of human history, is a thing of wonder. Never before in the span of human development has there been any invention capable of allowing people to converse instantly from across the globe. Our digital capabilities—to share content, entertain, educate, and conduct business—are unparalleled. Truly, we are all fortunate to live in a time such as this one.

The Rehabilitation Act was put into place in 1973. It was one of the first major advancements regarding individuals with disabilities. Before 1973, there was definitely not an equal playing field for these individuals. They were often overshadowed because they were considered inferior to those without disabilities. Individuals with physical and cognitive disabilities were finally able to have a wide range of services at their disposal. Having a disability can interfere with employment, independent living, self-determination, and even inclusion in the American society. Something needed to be changed, and the Rehabilitation Act helped bring a little hope to other members of our society.

Having a website that is accessible to every user is not only important to be a successful business, but it is also the law. There are many tools out there on the internet that you can use to test the accessibility of a website, but there are also other ways to test without using a tool. While these six ways to test for web accessibility are pretty simple, making a website accessible to everyone might take some work. This work doesn’t happen overnight. The first step in figuring out what you need to do to make your website more accessible is to identify any problems a user might have. This is where testing for web accessibility comes in.

Not everyone is well-versed in accessibility and web development, but that doesn’t mean you can’t test a website yourself. It takes a lot of understanding and knowledge about many different aspects of how a website works, such as HTML, CSS, and how those with a disability might interact with a website. It can also be helpful to understand JavaScript, accessibility APIs and what kind of assistive technology is out there.

Even if you don’t have this extensive knowledge, you can still perform these tests on your own. To help you out, here is more important information about accessibility as well as the six ways to test for accessibility without using an online tool.

Though the advancements in technology are meant to be enjoyed and used by the masses, there are still members of society who could not get full access to tailor to their needs. People with special needs regarding hearing or sight were an underserved market.  In October 2010, the Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act (CVAA) was officially signed by President Barack Obama. This act built on the foundation of the Television Decoder Circuitry Act (TDCA) of 1990. The TDCA established basic guidelines for television display devices at 13 inches or larger. Using this as a basis, the CVAA expanded into realms beyond television to all devices capable of displaying video, regardless of size. This was a necessary step as video sharing and viewing became possible through multiple devices and not just televisions.

As a business owner, it is important to maintain a healthy website. A healthy website is one that is working properly, bringing in the right people, and allowing users a good experience. Without the health of a website, a company may have a difficult time converting and keeping customers.

A website serves as a way to market your business online, so that users and customers can easily find your information or product. Websites give users easy access to information, allow them to make purchases, and can also give customers the chance get a feel of your business.

These days, it is almost impossible for a business to be successful without an online marketplace. Many people browse the internet when they are looking for a product or service. While no site is perfect, there could be some pretty big issues happening with it that is driving users and customers to find what they need somewhere else.