Definition

Accessibility conformance specifically refers to the act of adhering not only to legal accessibility laws but also to the technical standards and guidelines that detail how to achieve accessibility. It signifies that a digital product or service meets specific, verifiable criteria outlined in recognized accessibility standards, thereby mitigating the risk of accessibility lawsuits.

Explanation

Consider a scenario where you receive an unexpected email, only to discover that a lawsuit has been filed against your website, alleging accessibility barriers. This can certainly be a moment of surprise and considerable concern for any organization. The immediate next step would typically involve engaging accessibility experts to conduct a thorough evaluation of your website for compliance issues. During this testing process, it might become evident that while you perhaps had some general awareness of accessibility, your website was not fully aligned with the established accessibility standards and guidelines. Perhaps certain digital assets violated specific technical requirements outlined in key documents like the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).

This entire situation often arises from a lack of, or insufficient, understanding of Accessibility Conformance. Conformance, in this context, is the detailed and verifiable act of fulfilling all the precise technical requirements and success criteria specified within globally recognized accessibility guidelines and laws. It’s about more than just a general notion of accessibility; it's about meeting quantifiable benchmarks. Only when your website diligently adheres to these detailed technical specifications can it achieve the highest possible level of accessibility, ensuring a truly inclusive experience for all users.