Why Accessibility Matters

For many of us, navigating the internet has become second nature. We connect with friends on social media, plan vacations with a few clicks, and dive into entertainment at the touch of a button. But imagine if these simple tasks weren’t so effortless. For millions, digital experiences are riddled with challenges—making accessibility essential, not just a “nice-to-have.” Accessibility is about creating a digital world that everyone can enjoy, free from barriers.

Facts and Figures

The data underscores the need for accessible online tools:

Around 30 million people across the EU have visual impairments, and 23 million experience moderate to severe hearing impairments.

An estimated 22 million in the EU face cognitive challenges, including conditions like dementia, dyslexia, and digital illiteracy.

Another 40 million individuals have long-term mobility impairments, and up to 20 million temporarily face mobility challenges due to injuries or accidents each year.

Navigating the Online World with Disabilities

Now, picture trying to book a vacation, pay taxes, or watch a how-to video—only to find yourself unable to access the needed information. This is the daily reality for many people with disabilities. Without accessible online tools, they’re sidelined from digital spaces that most of us take for granted.

Recognizing this, the EU has introduced the European Accessibility Act, effective in June 2025. This legislation aims to ensure that online tools are accessible to everyone, regardless of ability. It’s a key step toward a more inclusive digital world where everyone can fully participate.

Building an Accessible Video Player

When we embarked on the journey to rebuild our video player from the ground up in 2023, we had one clear goal: to create a player that is fully accessible for all viewers, no matter their (dis)abilities. We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to enjoy and understand the high-quality video content carefully crafted by our clients.

Although our previous player met basic accessibility standards, we wanted to go further. So, we revisited the requirements set by the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) from the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). Our aim was to exceed these standards, laying the foundation for an inclusive viewing experience.

Learn more about WCAG for video

The Four Principles of Accessibility

The WCAG is guided by four foundational principles designed to make online content accessible:

Perceivable

Information and interface elements must be presented in ways that users can perceive, covering sight, sound, and touch.

Operable

Users must be able to operate the interface, whether using a keyboard, mouse, or assistive technology.

Understandable

Both content and interface operations must be clear and intuitive.

Robust

Content must be compatible with various user agents, ensuring it remains accessible as technologies evolve.

Turning Principles into Practice

Armed with a deep understanding of these principles, we focused on the heart of our video player. We prioritized operability and robustness by incorporating support for assistive technologies such as keyboard navigation and screen readers. We also built a scalable player that works seamlessly across devices, whether on desktop, tablet, or smartphone.

Next, we refined functionalities to make video content perceivable and understandable to all. Features like subtitles, interactive transcripts, and multiple audio tracks make our content accessible through multiple channels, catering to a wide range of needs.

Finally, we enhanced the player’s design to prioritize perceivability, operability, and understandability. By creating a predictable interface and achieving optimal contrast ratios, we made navigation simple and legible. These thoughtful design choices not only enhance the user experience but also ensure compliance with accessibility principles.

The Results:

Our Fully Accessible Video Player

Accesibility

Our efforts have resulted in a fully accessible video player that allows users complete control over how they interact with content. With a user-friendly interface, we offer alternatives such as subtitles, interactive transcripts, audio descriptions, and sign-language interpretations. Moreover, our player is ready to use out-of-the-box, eliminating the need for extensive technical adjustments. Accessibility is now seamlessly integrated, ensuring that all users can enjoy our content without barriers.

What’s Next?

As with everything digital, accessibility is a constantly evolving field. New assistive technologies will continue to emerge, bringing new standards and requirements. This is why the WCAG is considered a “living document,” continuously adapting to meet changing user needs.

At Blue Billywig, we’re dedicated to providing solutions for all accessibility-related challenges. Our mission is to ensure everyone, regardless of ability, can fully engage with our video player. We will continue to learn, adapt, and improve, making accessibility a cornerstone of our digital experience.