Let’s start by getting the legal requirements out of the way. We’re not lawyers, and nothing here should be taken as legal advice. Websites are part of business, though, and are bound by the same accessibility laws as other parts of business activity.
No one sets out to make a website that isn’t accessible to all people. But sometimes, we overlook basic ideas. “Looking good” and working fast are two goals – and they’re important! But we can’t neglect how the site works for real people.
That includes people with various disabilities, too. For instance, many people use screen readers because of problems with vision. Others may have color blindness. The inability to hear content may also be an issue. Even motor disabilities may affect how someone interacts with objects on the screen.
Not only do these affect how people can use your site, but they also relate to your legal liability. In most countries, there are legal requirements that govern accessibility in the business world. Those requirements govern websites, as well.
It’s important to make sure your website complies with the law because there can be consequences. But more basically, why would you want anyone to have problems accessing your site? Making it difficult to use only limits your potential audience!
So let’s have a look at some basic concepts to keep in mind.
Color Choice
You may have your favorite colors, and that’s great! But when choosing colors for your website, you have to think about readability. There needs to be enough contrast between the text and background colors to allow readers to easily read the page.
Also, some people have difficulties distinguishing one color from another. Color blindness usually affects certain pairs of colors. It’s important to avoid combining these pairs.
Of course, proper contrast colors help all readers by reducing eye strain, too.
There are many free online tools to test the contrast on your page; one of our favorites is https://webaim.org/resources/contrastchecker/.
Text Size
Of course, not only the color of your page matters. The size of the text does, too.
It can be tempting to squeeze more text into a section to eliminate scrolling or to preserve a design. However, always keep text to at least 12 pixels.
Pixels are a measurement relative to the screen resolution, so the size will adjust based on the screen and device. However, text smaller than 12 pixels is too difficult for the average reader to comfortably read.
Alt Tags On Images
If you’ve read about SEO, you probably know that “alt” tags are an important element there. But their original use was to help people with visual difficulties.
There should be an alt tag for every image, and the text of the alt tag should describe what’s in the image.
This helps people using screen readers to understand visual content that they cannot see.
Alt tags aren’t about keyword stuffing. They should be good explanations of what the picture is and how it fits the content of your page. Of course, if it does that, it will boost your SEO, too.
Great Headings and Short Paragraphs
Following a “wall” of text is hard for anyone. But for people who suffer from dyslexia or other reading issues, it can make it almost impossible to understand what they’re trying to read.
Use short paragraphs in your text. It’s more visually appealing and makes it easier for everyone.
Clear headings also help provide an outline of the content and offer a guide to your most important points. And they’re another factor that affects SEO, too!
Keep The Sound Down
Sure, sound is a great addition to a website. But if it presents useful information, a lot of people may miss it. Not only do some people suffer auditory problems, but there are also users reading your site in situations where they cannot turn up the volume.
If you have a video with sound or audio on your website, be sure to include a transcript with it. Give people who can’t hear it a way to read it.
Plus, the transcript is another great way to help your site rank! Using videos on sites is great, but Google still has to understand the content.
Space Those Buttons
Another big issue with sites affects users with motor function issues. It can also be an issue for those using smaller devices like smartphones. And that is the spacing of interactive elements.
Be sure that you allow enough space between buttons or links on your site that people can easily choose the right element.
Even people with small fingers can sometimes have problems tapping the right link. For younger children, people with larger fingers, or those with motor control issues, it can be a nightmare.
Make sure you allow enough space between clickable elements so that this doesn’t become an issue. Adjust padding and margins or simply find a better design. And remember that white space is an important element in any site, too!
Conclusion
These are just some basic ideas about how you can make your website accessible for persons with disabilities. There are legal requirements, but it’s also a matter of being a good netizen and a good businessperson. If you keep these pointers in mind, you’ll surely have a much more useful website!