At the end of 2024, we thought we’d share some highlights from the year in digital accessibility. We looked at our usage and engagement data to identify accessibility insights of most interest this year, including our most popular blog posts, training sessions, and webinars. In this review, we share these topics along with actionable tips to set your organization up for success in the year ahead.
With the introduction of new accessibility regulations for Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and growing awareness of upcoming deadlines in the European Accessibility Act (EAA), 2024 was a pivotal year for digital accessibility.
At TPGi, we’ve seen growing activity among organizations taking steps to understand their obligations and define what’s needed to grow accessibility capacity to meet those obligations while also seizing the opportunity to improve digital resource quality.
This year also saw a shift in demand for accessibility education, with growing interest in training in creating accessible digital content, documents, and media along with more demand for training for roles other than developers and QA testers.
Top 3 Digital Accessibility Blog posts from 2024
The ADA Now has Regulations for Accessibility of Web Content and Mobile Apps
In April, we wrote about the news that for the first time, Title II of the ADA includes technical requirements for digital accessibility. These rules, effective as of April 2024, mandate that state and local governments ensure their web content and mobile apps conform to WCAG 2.1 Level AA by 2026 or 2027, depending on the organization’s size.
If you work for a state or local government organization or supply digital products and services to state or local government organizations, you should be implementing a strategy to meet the requirements of the new rule.
Prepare now by identifying gaps in WCAG 2.1 Level AA compliance and creating a remediation plan. Equip your team with the skills to manage and maintain accessibility standards, ensuring long-term success.
French Law 2005-102, RGAA, and Web Accessibility
With the European Accessibility Act (EAA) coming into effect in 2025, organizations providing consumer products and services across Europe must take steps to meet accessibility requirements. To support this effort, we’ve been sharing information about digital accessibility laws across the European Union.
In France, specifically, accessibility regulations like Law 2005-102 and RGAA set technical requirements to ensure digital accessibility. RGAA incorporates WCAG principles but includes additional criteria specific to French cultural and legal contexts, such as compliance with the French language.
While this law passed in 2005, RGAA compliance will still be a factor when the EAA goes into effect in June 2025. Remain in compliance by conducting a thorough accessibility audit to align your digital assets with both RGAA and EAA requirements. Utilize tools like RGAA-compliant checkers, WCAG-based testing tools, and user feedback platforms like TPGi’s JAWS Connect to ensure ongoing accessibility.
Ireland Digital Accessibility Laws: EAA and Beyond
Another popular post explored Ireland’s adoption of the European Accessibility Act (EAA) into national law, representing a major milestone for digital accessibility. Noncompliance penalties in Ireland include significant fines and possible imprisonment, emphasizing the importance of proactive measures.
Just like in France, one step you can take to set yourself up for success ahead of the deadline is to conduct an accessibility review to identify and address gaps in compliance with WCAG Level AA standards. Collaborate with regulatory and advisory authorities, such as the National Disability Authority, to ensure your approach aligns with Irish law.
Top 3 Digital Accessibility Instructor-Led Training Topics
Our digital accessibility training covers a range of topics and roles. As organizations continue to prioritize accessibility compliance, 2024 saw a notable shift in training interests. Our instructor-led training sessions reflected this evolution, with a growing demand for training in accessible digital content, alongside the always-popular developer and QA training.
Here are the standout training sessions from 2024:
- Accessible Design Guidelines/Integrating Accessibility into User Experience
- These sessions highlight strategies for embedding accessibility principles into the UX and design processes, ensuring usability for all.
- Accessible Content Fundamentals
- Tailored for content creators, this training emphasizes key considerations when working with CMS or WYSIWYG editors to produce accessible web content.
- Accessible Document Fundamentals
- Focused on practical techniques for creating accessible documents in Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and InDesign, this session empowers attendees to make their materials more inclusive.
According to TPGi’s Training Practice Manager, Brian Elton, “These topics demonstrate a broadening interest in accessibility training beyond the traditional developer and QA focus.”
Brian adds that while there was still strong interest in sessions like Accessibility Testing, the rise in content-based training highlights a shift toward empowering diverse roles within organizations to contribute to accessibility efforts.
By addressing the unique needs of content creators, UX designers, and document producers, these trainings play a vital role in building a culture of accessibility across teams.
Top 3 Digital Accessibility Webinars of 2024
This year, TPGi webinars offered valuable insights into a wide range of accessibility topics, attracting a diverse audience eager to deepen their knowledge. Here are the standout sessions that resonated most with our attendees:
1. How Strict Should We Be When Testing for WCAG Conformance?
Presenter: James Edwards, ARC Consultant
WCAG conformance levels range from clear-cut requirements to subjective interpretations. This thought-provoking webinar tackled the complexities of testing for WCAG conformance, including questions about balancing client needs with user inclusivity.
Access the on-demand recording of “How Strict Should We Be When Testing for WCAG Conformance?.”
2. Catching up with ADA Title II Regulations for Web Content and Mobile App Accessibility
Presenter: David Sloan, Chief Accessibility Officer and User Experience Practice Manager
This session explored the accessibility requirements provided in the ADA’s Title II rule on accessibility of web content and mobile apps. It covered the exceptions, the deadlines, and provided advice on effective strategy for preparing to meet the rule’s requirements.
3. Intro to Mobile Accessibility Testing Tools
Presenter: Laurie Pagano, Principal Accessibility Engineer
With mobile apps becoming an integral part of daily life, ensuring their accessibility is essential. This session introduced mobile-device settings, assistive technologies, and other tools to help attendees effectively test native mobile apps for accessibility.
Access the on-demand recording of “Intro to Mobile Accessibility Testing Tools.”
Honorable Mention: Digital Accessibility for Older Adults
Presenter: Leilani Mason, Solutions Engineer
Older adults represent a growing demographic of technology users, and designing for their needs requires a blend of accessibility best practices and an understanding of age-related challenges. This webinar explored how to create inclusive designs that cater to different age groups, ensuring equitable access for everyone.
Access the on-demand recording of “Digital Accessibility for Older Adults.”
Preparing for 2025 and Beyond
As we look ahead to 2025, the digital accessibility landscape is set to evolve even further. With the first European Accessibility Act deadline of June 28th, and ongoing compliance requirements under ADA Title II, organizations around the world must stay proactive to ensure digital inclusion.
The key to success lies in preparation. Conducting accessibility audits, implementing robust training programs to build knowledge and skills, and leveraging accessibility testing tools are essential steps to align with these regulations. But beyond compliance, accessibility is an opportunity to build trust, expand your reach, and create a digital experience that works for everyone.
Let 2025 be the year your organization leads the way in accessibility and inclusion. Partner with TPGi and let us help you take the next step on your journey toward digital accessibility excellence. Contact us to learn more about how TPGi can support your compliance and conformance efforts.
Comments