6 Tips To Improve Web Accessibility

Web Accessibility
Web Accessibility

These days, web accessibility is becoming more and more crucial due to the ever-evolving digital landscape. This has produced countless opportunities allowing most people to access online tools that enable them to do almost everything—from grocery delivery to document processing.

However, the benefits of today’s technology may not be easy for people with disabilities to achieve. In fact, most websites on the internet are not entirely accessible to those dependent on assistive technology when using the web.

These websites might have difficulties earning sufficient revenue, driving traffic, and adding an extra touch of responsiveness that attracts all users. So, if you want to assess the accessibility of your website, you can use a website accessibility checker.

If the results aren’t in your favor, then it’s time to find ways to make your website accessible. That said, here are some tips you can use to address the issues of your website and ensure that it’s accessible to all visitors regardless of their abilities:

1. Look For A Content Management System That Ensures Accessibility

A content management system (CMS) is a solution that can help you create your own website without memorizing thousands of codes, etc. There are numerous CMS solutions available on the market. Once you find the CMS that fits your needs, it’s time to choose a theme, but you must ensure its accessibility.

When it comes to other elements, such as video players and toolbars, you want to ensure that they can support accessible content. For instance, video players should provide closed captions, and toolbars should provide options for tables and accessible headings.

Furthermore, don’t forget to choose one that offers strong security measures to protect your website at all costs. You may also hire auditing services to determine if your platform under the chosen CMS is secured.

2. Organize Content Structure Using Headings

Heading structures allow screen readers to navigate your content—improving your web accessibility. Screen readers are tools most visually impaired individuals use to understand what’s in your content. By using your headings appropriately, your content will be strategically organized in a way easily pronounced by screen readers.

In addition, make sure to follow the correct heading order and keep your presentation separated from the content structure through cascading style sheets (CSS). Don’t choose headers just because they look visually pleasing to avoid confusing your readers. Instead, use CSS to design and beautify your texts.

Here’s an example of a good heading application:

  • Only use the <h1> heading to create the main title of your page. It should not be used on subheadings and elements other than the website title or individual page title.
  • Use headings to organize the structure of your content.
  • Never skip different levels of headings (<h1> to <h3>) to avoid confusing screen readers with potentially missing parts, even if there aren’t.

3. Use Correct Alt Text For Your Images

Every image you include on your website should have corresponding alt text to help your readers understand what you’re trying to convey. Visually-impaired individuals use screen readers to translate alt text into audio, telling them what the image is all about.
Even non-disabled individuals may benefit from it. For example, if the page fails to load the images properly, alt texts will be provided. This gives users an idea of what kind of image you’re trying to include.
When you create an alt text, it should include the idea you want to tell through the image. If that image has words (like infographics), those words should also be mentioned in the alt text.
However, there’s an exception to this rule. If the image you use is only a mere decoration, there shouldn’t be any alt text in that image. This prevents screen readers from getting distracted, allowing them to focus more on other significant parts of the content.

Here are other tips that may help you create an effective alt text:

  • Keep it short as much as possible—around 125 characters.
  • Describe your image in the most specific way possible.
  • Use your keywords for an SEO boost.
  • Don’t stuff it with too many keywords.
  • Avoid using phrases such as ‘image of’ and others since alt text is primarily used to describe images.

When using a link, make sure that it describes the page where that link will redirect users. For example, using ‘Check this link’ isn’t descriptive and may not be effective for users using screen readers.
Like non-disabled individuals who scan pages for links, visually-impaired individuals use their screen readers to determine what links are included in the page they’re currently browsing. However, such tools may not always understand what the links mean. By using descriptive terms, screen readers can explain the links properly.

Here’s an example of using links properly:

  • Avoid saying: ‘Click this link to know more about our company.’
  • Instead, do this: ‘To learn more about our company, visit About Us.’

5. Use Color Appropriately

Eight percent of the population suffers from red-green color deficiency, also known as deuteranopia. This condition prevents someone from distinguishing shades of red, yellow, and green. Therefore, using these colors may prevent users from understanding the message you’re trying to convey.

To satisfy the needs of your users and improve web accessibility, make sure to use indicators, such as question marks or asterisks. Also, make sure to differentiate parts of content from each other with the help of visual separation, such as white spaces and borders.

6. Ensure That Content Is Accessible By Using Keyboards Alone

Users with issues concerning mobility, such as carpal tunnel syndrome and other repetitive stress injuries, may have difficulties using a trackpad or a mouse. These people access content through keyboards. For example, they can use ‘up’ and ‘down’ keys to scroll throughout your page instead of using a mouse. Therefore, ensure that your website uses this feature to serve these people effectively and make their stay worthwhile.

Conclusion

Accessibility is a crucial element of website creation. A highly-accessible website allows people to access the information they need when they need it, regardless of their abilities, whether disabled or not. To determine how accessible your platform is, you may use online tools, such as a website accessibility checker. And if the results don’t comply with international standards, you may turn to the discussion above for some tips you can use.

Join Our Club

Enter your Email address to receive notifications | Join over Million Followers

Previous Article
Twitter users

Twitter Fixes Bug That Exposed 5.4 Million User Accounts

Next Article
Kali Linux 2022-3

Kali Linux 2022.3 - Added Bruteshark And Test Lab Environment

Related Posts
Total
0
Share