Building for Everyone: Why Web Accessibility Matters in Salesforce Projects
While many government projects mandate web accessibility, not all clients understand the benefits of building web interfaces for everyone. Here’s a couple of key reminders of how web accessibility can benefit your business and your customers.
Reaching a Wider Audience:
Salesforce is a powerful tool, but if your customisations or integrations create barriers for users with disabilities, you’re missing out on a significant portion of the market. Accessible design ensures everyone can leverage the power of Salesforce, fostering a more inclusive user experience.
Beyond Compliance:
Web accessibility isn’t just about ticking legal and compliance boxes to get to WCAG 2.1 AA. It’s about creating a user-friendly experience for everyone. Accessible design principles, like clear language, proper keyboard navigation, and alternative text descriptions for images, benefit all users, not just those with disabilities. This can lead to increased user satisfaction and improved brand reputation.
Salesforce does provide product accessibility status updates at https://www.salesforce.com/company/legal/508_accessibility/
A Competitive Advantage:
In today’s competitive landscape, standing out from the crowd is crucial. By prioritising accessibility, you demonstrate your commitment to inclusivity and social responsibility. This can be a powerful differentiator, attracting a wider talent pool and attracting customers who value diversity.
Getting Started with Accessibility:
The good news is that Salesforce offers built-in accessibility features and resources to get you started. Platforms like Trailhead offer courses on “Get Started with Web Accessibility” https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/trails/get-started-with-web-accessibility to equip your team with the knowledge they need.
Each user can turn on the accessibility features, which include screen readers, magnification, captions and other accessibility standards built in by Salesforce.
For consultants, there is https://architect.salesforce.com/well-architected/trusted/compliant#Accessibility to provide guidance on design patterns.
Making your Salesforce projects accessible is an investment that pays off. It fosters a more inclusive environment, expands your reach, and strengthens your brand. By prioritising accessibility from the outset, you can ensure everyone benefits from the power of Salesforce.
