Does your site pass the test?
Ever tried navigating a website only to find it’s a total nightmare? Frustrating, right? Now, imagine trying to use that same site with a disability.
Just like you’d want your physical store to have ramps and elevators for easy access, your website needs to have features that make it visually navigable for everyone. This means clear text, easy navigation, and elements like alt text for images and captions for videos.
Why Website Accessibility Matters
Enacted back in 1990, the goal of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was to prevent discrimination based on different abilities. Initially, this meant things like ramps and accessible restrooms. But as the internet grew, the ADA’s scope expanded to cover websites.
1 in 4 adults in the U.S. has some type of disability, and many more have slight visual impairments like color blindness, cataracts, age-related eye decline, or other types of minor vision loss. Having an accessible website ensures you don’t lose out on their business, but ADA compliance also improves the user experience for everyone and can even improve SEO.
Simply put, having an accessible website is good for business. But most importantly, it’s the right thing to do.
How to Make Your Website Accessible
Follow these quick and easy design principles to help you build your accessible website:
- Add alt text to your images so screen readers can describe them to visually impaired users.
- Got videos? Make sure they have subtitles and transcripts. This helps people with hearing impairments and those who might be watching in a noisy place (or a quiet library!).
- Your site should be easy to navigate and use, even without a mouse. Provide clear navigation indicators so users always know where they are on your site.
- Your content should be crystal clear and easy to follow. Use simple, straightforward language and avoid jargon. Break up your text with headings and bullet points to make it easier to scan.
Your website needs to work well with various assistive technologies now and in the future. Keep your code clean to ensure compatibility with screen readers, voice recognition software, and other assistive devices.
Checking and Evaluating Website Accessibility
Making your website accessible is a fantastic start, but how do you make sure you’re hitting all the right marks?
Accessibility Audits: Professional evaluations can catch issues you might miss and provide detailed recommendations for improvements. Regular audits ensure your site stays accessible as you add new content and features.
Automated Tools: Tools like WAVE, AXE, and Google Lighthouse can quickly scan your site and flag things like missing alt text, low contrast ratios, and other common issues.
Manual Testing: Take some time to navigate your site using only a keyboard. Can you tab through everything smoothly? Are there any areas where you get stuck? Also, use a screen reader to see how well your content is conveyed.
Frequent Problems
Missing alt text for images: Screen readers can’t describe images to visually impaired users without alt text. It’s like having a blank canvas where there should be a picture.
Poor color contrast: If the text doesn’t stand out from the background, it’s tough for anyone to read, especially those with visual impairments.
Inaccessible forms: Forms without proper labels can be a nightmare for screen reader users, making it hard to know what information is needed.
Practical Solutions
Add alt text: Make sure every image on your site has descriptive alt text. It doesn’t have to be a novel – just a brief, accurate description of what’s in the picture.
Improve color contrast: Use tools like online contrast checkers to ensure sufficient contrast between text and background colors. Aim for a ratio of at least 4.5:1.
Label Your Forms: Always use clear, descriptive labels for your form fields so screen readers can pick them up. For example, instead of “Name,” write “First Name” and “Last Name.”
By tackling these common issues, you’ll make huge strides in improving your website’s accessibility. Small changes can make a big difference.
The Role of Professional Website Design in Ensuring Accessibility
Not all of us are website experts, and that’s okay! If you’re feeling overwhelmed by all of this, web design agencies can help.
Professional design teams bring a wealth of experience in making websites accessible:
- Spot issues you might never notice
- Technical know-how to implement changes effectively
- Stay on top of changing guidelines
- Perform regular audits and updates as needed