Making your website accessible to people with disabilities is not just a legal and ethical responsibility—it’s also a way to ensure your digital presence is inclusive and welcoming to all users. With millions of people relying on assistive technologies like screen readers, voice commands, and keyboard navigation, accessibility is crucial for creating an equitable online experience.
This guide explains practical steps to make your website accessible, highlights common challenges, and introduces tools and services like those offered by Ability, Inc. to help you meet accessibility standards.
What Does Website Accessibility Mean?
Website accessibility means ensuring your digital content, features, and navigation are usable by individuals with disabilities. Disabilities include visual impairments, hearing loss, motor disabilities, and cognitive challenges. An accessible website allows everyone to:
- Perceive content effectively (e.g., using alt text for images).
- Operate site features without barriers (e.g., keyboard-friendly navigation).
- Understand content clearly (e.g., clear structure and language).
- Access content reliably across various assistive technologies.
The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) provide detailed standards to help businesses achieve these goals.
Why Accessibility Matters
- Inclusive Access: People with disabilities should have equal access to online resources and services.
- Legal Compliance: Laws like the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) require websites to meet accessibility standards. Non-compliance risks lawsuits, fines, and reputational damage.
- Expanded Audience: Accessibility opens your website to a wider audience, including over 1 billion people globally living with a disability.
- Improved SEO: Accessible design practices often improve search engine rankings and overall user experience.
Steps to Make Your Website Accessible
1. Conduct an Accessibility Audit
An audit is the first step to understanding your website’s current accessibility state. It identifies barriers such as:
- Missing alternative text (alt text) for images.
- Poor keyboard navigation.
- Insufficient color contrast.
How Ability Can Help:
Ability’s auditing services provide a detailed analysis of your website’s accessibility issues and recommendations for improvement.
2. Use Accessibility Tools
Automated tools can help identify and fix common issues, such as:
- Adding ARIA labels for better screen reader support.
- Detecting and correcting contrast issues.
Max Access is a powerful tool offering automated fixes, real-time monitoring, and compliance insights. With a “free forever” tier, it’s an excellent starting point for businesses of any size.
3. Design for Keyboard Navigation
Ensure all site functionality is accessible via a keyboard. This helps users who cannot operate a mouse, such as those with motor disabilities.
- Test your site’s forms, buttons, and navigation to ensure they’re fully keyboard-friendly.
- Use visual indicators, like focus outlines, to show users where they are on the page.
4. Add Alternative Text and Captions
Provide descriptive alternative text (alt text) for images so screen readers can convey the content to users with visual impairments.
- Include captions and transcripts for video and audio content.
- Use descriptive titles for links, avoiding vague phrases like “click here.”
5. Optimize for Color Contrast and Text Size
High color contrast ensures text is readable, especially for users with low vision or color blindness.
- Use tools like contrast checkers to ensure compliance with WCAG standards.
- Enable text resizing without breaking the layout.
6. Structure Content Clearly
Organized and well-labeled content is easier to navigate, especially for users relying on screen readers.
- Use proper heading hierarchy (H1, H2, H3).
- Avoid complex jargon and write in clear, simple language.
7. Test with Assistive Technologies
Regularly test your site using screen readers, voice navigation, and other assistive tools to ensure compatibility.
The Role of Accessibility Experts
While automated tools and best practices can go a long way, achieving full compliance often requires expert guidance. Accessibility experts provide:
- Manual testing for nuanced issues automated tools might miss.
- Guidance on legal compliance (ADA, WCAG).
- Ongoing support to maintain accessibility.
Ability offers end-to-end accessibility solutions, from auditing to compliance management. Our Ally Toolbox provides the resources your team needs to build accessible websites from the ground up.
Common Accessibility Pitfalls to Avoid
- Overreliance on Automation: Automated tools are helpful but can’t catch all issues. Combine them with manual reviews for best results.
- Ignoring Updates: Websites need continuous monitoring and updates to remain accessible as content changes.
- Accessibility Overlays Alone: While overlays can address some issues, they’re not a complete solution. They should complement broader accessibility efforts.
Make Accessibility a Priority
Making your website accessible benefits everyone—your users, your business, and society as a whole. By following best practices, leveraging tools like Max Access, and seeking expert guidance from Ability, Inc., you can ensure your digital presence is inclusive and compliant.
Take the first step toward accessibility today with a free accessibility analysis. Together, we can build a more inclusive internet for all.