In today’s digital age, creating an accessible website isn’t just a legal requirement; it’s a moral obligation. With over a billion people living with some form of disability worldwide, ensuring your website is accessible means you’re providing an inclusive experience for all users. Moreover, accessible design can improve your site’s SEO, making it easier for everyone, including search engines, to navigate your content. In this blog, we’ll explore best practices for improving website accessibility and how to implement inclusive design principles effectively.

Why Website Accessibility Matters

Website accessibility ensures that all users, regardless of their physical or cognitive abilities, can access and interact with your content. When your website is accessible:

• You Reach a Wider Audience: Inclusive design allows more users to engage with your site, including those with disabilities.
• SEO Benefits: Accessible websites tend to have better structure, clearer content, and more user-friendly navigation, which can boost your SEO rankings.
• Legal Compliance: In many countries, websites must comply with accessibility standards like the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). Non-compliance can result in legal action.

Key Principles of Inclusive Design

Inclusive design is about creating digital experiences that are usable by as many people as possible. Here are some key principles to follow:

• Perceivable: Ensure that all users can perceive the content on your site. This means providing text alternatives for non-text content, such as images and videos.
• Operable: Users should be able to navigate your site easily, whether they use a keyboard, mouse, or assistive technology.
• Understandable: Make sure your content is clear and easy to understand. Use simple language and provide clear instructions.
• Robust: Your website should be compatible with various devices and assistive technologies, ensuring it remains accessible as technology evolves.

Best Practices for Improving Website Accessibility

1. Use Descriptive Alt Text for Images: Alt text (alternative text) is crucial for users who rely on screen readers. It describes the content of images, allowing visually impaired users to understand the context. When writing alt text:

• • • Be concise but descriptive.
    • Include essential details that convey the image’s purpose.
    • Avoid using phrases like “image of” or “picture of,” as screen readers already announce images.

2. Ensure Keyboard Navigation: Many users with disabilities rely on keyboards to navigate websites. To make your site keyboard-friendly:

• • • Ensure all interactive elements (e.g., links, buttons) are accessible via the keyboard.
    • Use visible focus indicators to help users see where they are on the page.
    • Test your site by navigating using only the keyboard (Tab, Enter, and arrow keys).

3. Provide Transcripts and Captions for Multimedia: Videos and audio content should include captions and transcripts to make them accessible to users with hearing impairments. This also benefits users who prefer reading or are in a noisy environment.

• • • Use accurate, synchronized captions for videos.
    • Provide text transcripts for audio content.
    • Consider offering sign language interpretation for critical video content.

4. Optimize Colour Contrast: Colour contrast plays a significant role in readability, particularly for users with visual impairments. Ensure that text and background colours have sufficient contrast:

• • • Use tools like the WCAG Contrast Checker to verify contrast ratios.
    • Avoid relying solely on colour to convey information (e.g., using red for errors).
    • Consider colourblind users by avoiding problematic colour combinations like red and green.

5. Simplify Forms: Forms are often a significant barrier to accessibility. To make forms more accessible:

• • • Use descriptive labels and place them close to the corresponding input fields.
    • Provide clear instructions and error messages.
    • Group related fields together and use field sets and legends to organize them.

6. Use Semantic HTML: Semantic HTML helps screen readers and other assistive technologies understand the structure of your content. Use the correct HTML elements:

• • • Use headings (<h1> to <h6>) to structure your content hierarchically.
    • Use <nav> for navigation, <article> for content sections, and <footer> for the footer.
    • Avoid using <div> and <span> elements for purposes that can be achieved with semantic elements.

7. Regularly Test for Accessibility: Accessibility testing should be an ongoing process. Use a combination of manual and automated testing tools:

• • • Automated Tools: Use tools like WAVE, Axe, or Lighthouse to identify common accessibility issues.
    • Screen Readers: Test your site with screen readers like NVDA or Voice overs.
    • User Testing: Conduct usability tests with users who have disabilities to gain insights into real-world accessibility.

Our Final Thoughts

Improving website accessibility is an ongoing process that requires attention to detail and a commitment to inclusivity. By following these best practices, you can create a website that is not only compliant with accessibility standards but also provides a better experience for all users. As a bonus, accessible design often leads to better SEO performance, helping your website reach a broader audience. Remember, an inclusive website is not just about meeting legal requirements—it’s about ensuring that everyone, regardless of their abilities, can access and enjoy your content.