In the last in this three-part series, we will discuss practical steps to make your site accessible, today!
How to Fix Website Accessibility Barriers:
- Follow the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG): The WCAG provides a comprehensive set of recommendations for making websites more accessible.
- Use a Content Management System (CMS) that supports accessibility: Many CMS platforms offer features and plugins to help with accessibility.
- Structure content logically using headings and subheadings: This helps users with assistive technologies understand the structure of the page.
- Provide alternative text for all images: Alt text should accurately describe the image and its purpose.
- Use clear and concise language: Avoid jargon and technical terms when possible.
- Ensure sufficient color contrast between text and background: Use tools to check color contrast ratios.
- Provide captions and transcripts for all video and audio content: This makes content accessible to users with hearing impairments.
- Make your website keyboard-friendly: Ensure all interactive elements can be accessed and used with a keyboard.
- Design accessible forms: Use labels, clear instructions, and ensure keyboard navigation.
- Test your website with assistive technologies: Use screen readers and other tools to identify and fix accessibility issues.
- Provide multiple contact options: Offer various ways for users to get in touch with you, including email, phone, and online forms.
- Avoid using tables for layout: Tables should only be used for presenting tabular data.
- Remove flickering or flashing content: This can trigger seizures in some individuals.
- Allow enough time for users to complete tasks: Avoid time limits that are too short for some users.
Key Principles of Accessible Web Design
To make your website more accessible, consider the following principles:
- Perceivable: Content must be presented in a way that users can perceive. This includes using text alternatives for non-text content (like images), ensuring sufficient color contrast, and providing captions for videos.
- Operable: Users must be able to navigate and interact with your website. This means ensuring that all interactive elements are keyboard accessible and that users can easily navigate through content using various input methods.
- Understandable: Content should be clear and easy to understand. Use simple language, provide instructions for complex tasks, and ensure that your website’s design is consistent and predictable.
- Robust: Your website should work well with a variety of assistive technologies and on different devices and browsers. Regular testing with different tools can help ensure robustness.
How to Implement Accessibility
- Conduct an Accessibility Audit: Start by evaluating your current website against accessibility standards such as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). Tools like WAVE and Axe can help identify issues.
- Incorporate Accessible Design from the Start: When designing or redesigning your website, prioritize accessibility from the beginning. Collaborate with designers and developers who have experience in creating accessible digital content.
- Provide Training: Educate your team about the importance of accessibility and best practices. This ensures that everyone involved in content creation and web development is aware of accessibility requirements.
- Engage with Users: Solicit feedback from users with disabilities to understand their needs and experiences. This feedback can provide valuable insights for improving accessibility.
- Regularly Update and Test: Accessibility is not a one-time effort. Regularly review and update your website to address new issues and to ensure continued compliance with evolving standards.
Always keeping UX and Accessibility in mind
- UX User experience: Ensuring a positive user experience by optimizing page load speed, mobile-friendliness, and overall site navigation. Strive for a website that is visually appealing, easy to navigate, and provides a positive and seamless user experience.
- Easy Navigation: Design a website with a clear and intuitive menu structure that guides visitors to the information they need.
- Accessibility: Ensure your website is accessible to all users, including those with disabilities, by using alt text for images, clear fonts, readable content, and color contrast.
- Meta Titles and Descriptions for all pages and content
- Use Alt Text on every image
- Add Tags to your posts and pages.
- Use an Accessibility checker
Website accessibility is more than just a technical requirement—it’s a commitment to inclusivity and equal opportunity. By making your website accessible, you not only comply with legal standards but also enhance user experience, broaden your audience, and uphold ethical values. As the digital landscape continues to evolve, prioritizing accessibility ensures that the web remains a place where everyone, regardless of ability, can access and benefit from the information and services it offers. Embrace accessibility as an integral part of your web strategy, and you’ll be contributing to a more inclusive and equitable online world.
Recommendations for accessibility checkers:
https://www.accessibilitychecker.org/
https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/siteimprove-accessibility/djcglbmbegflehmbfleechkjhmedcopn?pli=1
Color contrast checker: https://coolors.co/contrast-checker/
Additional info on Color Contrast:
Color contrast plays a crucial role in enhancing website accessibility by ensuring that text and visual elements are easily distinguishable for all users, including those with visual impairments. Proper contrast between text and background helps users read content without strain, especially for individuals with color blindness or low vision. The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) recommend a minimum contrast ratio of 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text to maintain readability. Using sufficient color contrast not only improves accessibility but also strengthens overall design clarity and usability. By testing and adjusting color combinations, designers can create inclusive digital experiences that accommodate a wider range of users while maintaining aesthetic appeal.
Kristine Follett says:
This did not address the issue of contrast. For those with impaired vision, the light grey-toned text that is so popular right now is very hard to read. Websites should always strive to have higher contrast. For example, this article in dark blue text is easy to read.
Susan says:
Thank you for your message. We agree that we did not say enough about color contrast. We’ve added an additional paragraph at the end, to more fully address that accessibility issue. Thank you, again for reading and commenting. Your comment has helped us better serve and educate.