Estimates suggest that approximately 15% of people globally live with some form of disability, impacting website accessibility for over 1 billion individuals worldwide when browsing the web. Website accessibility has become an essential legal requirement in numerous countries around the globe. Even if your company operates across borders, be mindful of its implications if your site proves difficult for those living with disabilities to navigate. This could have serious financial repercussions if your site proves inaccessible or difficult for these visitors. This post will look at what website accessibility entails and how you can begin making sure your website complies with all relevant guidelines within 60 seconds.
What is website accessibility?
Now more than ever, having a website is necessary for businesses. However, in order to be truly effective, that site must also be user-friendly, which means being accessible. Website accessibility refers to designing sites so they are usable by people of all abilities and disabilities, such as visual or hearing impairments or physical/cognitive disabilities. Businesses that ensure their sites are accessible can reach more customers while creating an inclusive experience for customers.
Key principles for developing an accessible website
Today’s digital environment makes it essential for websites to be accessible for everyone, not only meeting legal requirements but also giving all visitors equal access and easy navigation of your site. There are five best practices you should keep in mind to achieve this. First, ensure all images contain alt text for screen readers. Second, use clear and concise language, which is easy for screen reader users. Third, ensure the website is keyboard navigable. Fourth, provide appropriate color contrasts for those who suffer from color blindness. Fifth, regularly test your website and make improvements as necessary.
Tools you can use
Accessibility in digital environments has never been more crucial, particularly for individuals living with disabilities. There are various tools and resources available to you for testing the accessibility of your website. WAVE Web Accessibility Evaluation Tool is one such resource that offers visual feedback, as well as providing a detailed report about its accessibility, while another option could be the World Wide Web Consortium’s Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).
Search for impartial website accessibility reviews as another aid to you in meeting WCAG compliance. These reviews often provide tips and tricks for improving accessibility while offering advice about which tools would be ideal for testing it.
How to implement accessibility features
Present-day web design should prioritize accessibility as a top priority. Not only is making sure your website is accessible for all important, but it also stands to benefit both you and your business. By integrating accessibility features, you can improve user experience and expand your audience. It doesn’t take much to make your site more accessible either. There are tools and guidelines available that can assist with this. Plus, by following a few easy steps, you can make an impactful difference, from adding alt tags to images to selecting accessible colors and fonts to making small adjustments can make big differences when creating more accessible sites.
Resources available
Website accessibility is essential to creating an inclusive online community, but with rapidly evolving technology and design trends, it’s vital that you remain aware of any new tools or resources that become available. There are various online platforms and organizations which provide helpful resources and support. Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) offers comprehensive guidelines, techniques, and tools for building accessible websites, while WebAIM provides training resources and evaluation tools.
Online communities like Accessibility for Everyone and a11y Meetup provide designers, developers, and advocates a forum in which to exchange knowledge about web accessibility issues. Together, these offer designers, developers, and advocates an opportunity to share experiences, discuss best practices and challenges related to accessibility, as well as stay abreast of developments within this sector.