ACCESSIBILITY SERVICE

Compliance with accessibility guidelines is essential for ensuring that digital content is usable by all individuals, including those with disabilities. These guidelines were developed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), a global body dedicated to web standards. The guidelines were updated to harmonize with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1, which provide a globally recognized standard for web content accessibility.

WCAG outlines a series of criteria to ensure that web content is accessible to a wide range of users, including those with visual, auditory, motor, or cognitive impairments. The guidelines emphasize four key principles: Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, and Robust.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) in the United States and the Government of Canada have proposed adopting WCAG 2.1 as the standard for web and mobile app accessibility under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Accessible Canada Act (ACA), respectively. These proposals aim to strengthen the legal frameworks around accessibility and provide clearer guidelines for publicly funded, or public-facing, institutions to follow.

While the European Union (EU) has enacted legislation mandating the use of WCAG, including through the Web Accessibility Directive (2016/2102), which requires public sector websites and mobile apps to meet WCAG 2.1, Level AA standards, it also encourages broader adoption across sectors. The European Accessibility Act (EAA), which came into force in 2022, expands accessibility requirements beyond the public sector to include a wide range of services and products, promoting a more inclusive digital environment for individuals with disabilities.

Incorporating WCAG 2.0 or 2.1 standards into digital content production not only ensures legal compliance but also promotes inclusivity, broadening the reach and usability of digital resources for all users.

Our Key Services:

  • Adherence to Federal and Governmental Standards: We ensure your publications comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Accessible Canada Act (ACA), and European Accessibility Act (EAA).
  • Implementation of WCAG Guidelines: Our team applies the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1, Level AA standards. This includes proper structuring of headings, alternative text for images, and ensuring compatibility with assistive technologies.
  • Compliance with Institutional Policies: We align your documents with the accessibility policies of academic institutions, the Principles of Transparency and Best Practice in Scholarly Publishing.

Enquiries

To discuss your company’s editorial needs, you may e-mail us at info@editing.press. We will endeavour to reply within the hour during business hours, Eastern Standard Time.