ChatGPT can make websites more accessible for employees with disabilities

The last few years have pushed many employers towards building a more diverse and disability-inclusive workforce. But are those efforts present in their digital footprint? 

According to the nonprofit WebAIM, only 3% of websites on the internet are accessible to those with disabilities, despite the American Disabilities Act requiring companies' websites to have accommodations in place. Just in the last year, lawsuits against employers with inaccessible websites have increased by 12%.

"We need to think of the web as a big library everyone wants to access," says Ran Ronen, co-founder and CEO of Equally AI, a tech company dedicated to creating web accessibility solutions. "In the physical world, the library may have a ramp for wheelchair users — same goes for websites."

Read more: Creating access and inclusion for disabled talent

This year, Equally AI launched the world's first ChatGPT-powered web accessibility platform for website developers in the hopes of making it easier for employers to create and maintain accessible websites. The platform, named "Flowy," helps developers scan the website for issues and recommend ways to improve the overall user experience for all, explains Ronen. In other words, employers can be compliant with ADA and likely get a better website out of it. 

"The idea is that when you make an accessible website, it doesn't have bugs," he says. "That means it's much more user-friendly for everyone who interacts with the website."

Ronen notes that any website that requires the use of a mouse to fully navigate is not an accessible site, as it requires sight as well as more extensive physical movement  — instead, full keyboard navigation should be possible. 

"Most websites are not accessible with a keyboard," says Ronen. "Go to any website and try to navigate with just the tab button, arrow keys and enter, and you see even if the biggest websites are not accessible."

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He also points out that the website should have a consistent, organized layout with a clear indication of the site's language in the code itself. This makes it easier for assistive technology like screen readers to comprehend the website and describe the website to the user. Even color contrast on a website can be helpful to those who are visually impaired, with red, orange and yellow being easier to see because of their ability to reflect light. 

Ronen doesn't believe that the ADA should be an employer's only motivator to make their websites more accessible. Even beyond having an improved website, businesses should consider whether they are limiting their own customer base and revenue by making their website impossible to navigate for anyone who is completely able-bodied. Not to mention for companies vocal about their DEI efforts, an inaccessible website would not be consistent with their messaging. 

Read more: This app could make the workplace more accessible for deaf workers

"It's quite weird that in order for a website to become accessible, it has to get a lawsuit," says Ronen. "That means the responsibility is put on the blind person for example to make the website accessible."  

Ronen encourages employers to reevaluate their websites and empower developers to take advantage of AI technology, whether that's GPT itself or another platform like Flowy. It may save employers legal headaches and underline their commitment to inclusivity. Most importantly, more people can comfortably access information and services, says Ronen. 

"This is a big opportunity for any website to allow everyone to participate and enjoy their services," he says. "It's the right thing to do."