As someone who has spent countless hours crafting websites, designing interactive applications, and enhancing user experiences, I can’t stress enough the importance of web accessibility. It isn’t just a consideration, it’s an absolute necessity in our digital age.
In this guide, I want to bring the key terms, practices, and concepts about web accessibility closer to you. By the end of it, I hope to instill in you not only the understanding but also the empathy required to design for everyone.
1. Accessible Rich Internet Applications (ARIA)
ARIA, short for Accessible Rich Internet Applications, offers a lifeline to make dynamic content and advanced user interface controls accessible. Adding ARIA attributes to your HTML can make certain elements more descriptive, aiding assistive technology in better understanding the purpose of each element. For instance, using aria-label helps label buttons that don’t contain text, thereby aiding screen reader users.
2. Alt Text
Alt text is a concise description of images for those who can’t see them. For example, for a company logo, alt text could be alt="Company X's logo". This helps visually impaired users to understand the content of your site.
3. Assistive Technology
Assistive technology refers to a range of devices that aid users with disabilities. This includes software like screen readers, or hardware like a Braille keyboard. As a web designer, it’s crucial to consider how these technologies interact with your site.
4. Captions
For video content, captions are vital. They are the text version of the audio, helping those who are deaf or hard of hearing to understand what’s being said. Moreover, users in a noisy or sound-sensitive environment also benefit from them.
5. Color Contrast
Color contrast between text and its background is critical for readability. Following WCAG guidelines, a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 for normal text is recommended. A tool I often use for checking color contrast is the WebAIM Color Contrast Checker.
6. Descriptive Links
Links should be self-explanatory, describing what the user can expect if they click on them. Instead of writing “Click here” or “More”, use a phrase like “Learn more about web accessibility”.
7. Focus Indication
When users navigate using a keyboard, a focus indicator shows where the keyboard focus currently lies. It’s crucial to ensure that this is clearly visible and follows a logical order.
8. Forms and Input Fields
These need to be clearly labeled and provide error messages to guide users. Including a description of what is expected in an input field and using error identification such as aria-describedby to associate error messages with form controls greatly enhances usability.
9. Headers
Headers not only organize your content for all users but also provide an overview of the page to screen reader users. Make sure to use them sequentially (H1-H6), and avoid skipping levels.
10. Keyboard Navigation
One of the key aspects of web accessibility is ensuring that every feature of your website can be accessed using only a keyboard. This is referred to as keyboard navigation. Some users may have physical disabilities that make using a mouse difficult, while others may rely on assistive technologies like screen readers that rely on keyboard use. Test your website regularly to ensure that all links, buttons, forms, and other interactive elements can be accessed and activated using keyboard commands.
11. Transcripts
Just like captions are vital for videos, transcripts are essential for audio content. They help deaf or hard of hearing users to follow along, and can also aid in comprehension for users who may struggle with the language in the audio content. Whenever possible, include a complete transcript of any audio content on your site.
12. WCAG and ADA
WCAG stands for the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, a set of guidelines designed to make web content more accessible to individuals with disabilities. They are widely accepted as the standard for web accessibility and following these guidelines can help you ensure that your site is accessible to all users.
The ADA or Americans with Disabilities Act, is a U.S. law that requires certain businesses and organizations to provide accessible websites. Not adhering to ADA can lead to legal implications. Therefore, keeping abreast with WCAG updates can ensure your website is both accessible and legally compliant.
Practical Tips for Improving Web Accessibility
Incorporating web accessibility isn’t a one-time deal, but an ongoing effort. Here are a few actionable tips that you can implement right now to improve the accessibility of your website:
- Include alt text for all images: This is not just beneficial for accessibility, but it also improves SEO.
- Check color contrast: Make sure that your text is easily readable against its background.
- Make your website keyboard navigable: Regularly test your site to ensure that all features can be accessed via keyboard.
- Use clear, descriptive links: Instead of “click here”, use “read more about our accessibility guidelines”.
- Provide transcripts for audio content: Don’t leave out those who can’t hear your audio – a transcript can go a long way.
- Follow the WCAG: Keep up-to-date with the latest guidelines to ensure your website remains accessible and legally compliant.
Understanding and implementing web accessibility may seem daunting, but remember, the goal is to create a more inclusive digital environment. As a web designer, the power is in your hands to create experiences that everyone can enjoy.
