As we age, it can become more and more difficult to see small text on the screen, text without contrast, or low-volume audio. It is important to check your website and verify its accessibility. If it is frustrating for users to use your website, they will leave to find an alternative that is more accessible.
Accessible websites are designed so that everyone, including people with disabilities, can use them. It is also important to protect your business from web accessibility lawsuits. You can check your website using Web Accessibility Evaluation Tool (WAVE) powered by WebAIM.
The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) has developed a comprehensive set of Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAGG). Use WCAG 2.1 guidelines for ADA and 508 compliance.
Use Accessible Text:
Writing long paragraphs with complex sentences makes your content inaccessible to readers unfamiliar with figures of speech, idioms, and abbreviations that may be commonplace in your industry, but not to newcomers or casual readers. Whenever possible:
- Use short sentences written in plain language
- Use bullets and tables instead of walls of text
- Avoid figures of speech and idioms
- Define and explain all terms before using them
Use an Accessible Layout:
Every page on your website should be clearly recognizable to your readers. Build layouts that are simple to follow and consistent from page to page.
- Follow a linear layout that can be navigated using only a keyboard. Check your layout by tabbing to move from one element on your page to the next. Use Shift+Tab to go backward. You should see the tab focus as you move around. Make sure that when you tab through your page, it follows a logical order and does not miss any key elements.
- Make links stand out with an easy-to-see underline.
- Do not underline words in the text that are not links.
- Make buttons descriptive. If a user is using a screen reader, several buttons labeled “click here” is confusing.
- Structure your content using HTML, not text size or bolding.
- Title your pages so they clearly communicate their purpose.
- Don’t bold headings. Format them as headings using tags such as H1.
- Add lots of white space.
Presenting Content:
All content should be presented in multiple ways and be easy to discern.
- Use good contrast between the font and background. Use this contrast checker to see if it meets WCAG standards.
- Choose a readable font.
- Do not use color alone to convey meaning.
- Provide alt texts for all images, including icons, buttons, graphics, charts, diagrams, and illustrations: if the image is decorative, you can leave the quotation marks empty.
- Add labels for all form controls, input, and all other interface components.
- Videos, audio clips, and animations all need transcripts, captions, or audio descriptions to make them accessible.
Read Also: Checking Your Website for Accessibility
