How to Make Your Website Good for Accessibility: A Complete Guide
In today’s digital world, creating an accessible website isn’t just a moral obligation—it can also expand your audience and improve your search engine optimization (SEO). An accessible website ensures that everyone, including users with disabilities, can easily navigate and interact with your content. Here’s a guide to making your website more accessible.
1. Use Semantic HTML
Using proper HTML tags helps assistive technologies like screen readers interpret your content correctly. For example:
- Use
<h1>,<h2>, and other heading tags to structure your content. - Include alt text for images (
<img alt="description">). - Use
<nav>,<footer>, and<article>for better page structure.
2. Provide Keyboard Accessibility
Ensure that all interactive elements like buttons, forms, and navigation links can be accessed using the keyboard alone. Test the “tab order” to ensure logical navigation and visible focus indicators.
3. Ensure Color Contrast
Ensure sufficient contrast between text and background colors. Use contrast checkers to meet Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 standards (at least 4.5:1 for normal text).
4. Provide Text Alternatives for Non-Text Content
All non-text content, such as images, video, and audio, should have text equivalents, like alt attributes for images and transcripts for videos.
5. Use Descriptive Link Text
Links should clearly indicate their purpose. Avoid vague text like “click here” and instead use descriptive text such as “Learn more about our services.”
6. Design Forms for Accessibility
Label every form field clearly, ensure logical focus order, and provide error messages that are easy to understand.
7. Create Accessible Media
Add closed captions and transcripts for videos. Also, ensure that audio files have transcripts and that media players are accessible with keyboard controls.
8. Make Your Website Responsive
Ensure your website is responsive so users can access it on any device, especially those using screen magnifiers or other assistive tools on mobile devices.
9. Test Your Website’s Accessibility
Use automated accessibility testing tools (e.g., WAVE, Axe) and manual testing to ensure your site meets WCAG guidelines. Screen reader testing with tools like NVDA or VoiceOver can also provide insights.
10. Continuous Improvement
Accessibility isn’t a one-time task. Regularly audit your website, stay updated on new accessibility trends, and get user feedback to improve over time.
Conclusion
Building an accessible website improves user experience for all and boosts your SEO ranking. By implementing these best practices, you can make your website more inclusive and reach a wider audience.