By simply addressing the top six error types (i.e., low contrast, linked images missing ALT texts and form labels, empty buttons and empty links), online environmental information providers could make significant improvements to the web accessibility of environmental information in highly ranked, popular environmentally-focused websites.

ALICIA MASON, JOSH COMPTON, & SAKSHI BAHTI

Digital environmental information presented with low web accessibility reduces participation in environmental advocacy and information seeking behaviors for many people with disabilities, creating a consequential digital divide. We use WEB AIM computer automated analysis of web accessibility to assess the general accessibility of online environmental communication messages. Results show 95.3% of the popular websites in our sample had indicators of potentially critical accessibility errors. Our findings highlight the importance of addressing digital environmental information accessibility shortcomings so that educational, informational and persuasive environmental messages can increase environmental literacy of vulnerable populations and help to bridge the digital divide.

Mason, A. M., Compton, J., & Bhati, S. (2022). Identifying accessibility improvement opportunities for global environmental communication websites. Western Journal of Communication. https://doi.org/10.1080/10570314.2022.2155070