Creating Accessible Websites: A Guide for Designers

What is Web Accessibility?

Web accessibility refers to the design and development of websites and applications that can be used by people with various disabilities, such as visual, auditory, motor, and cognitive impairments. The goal of accessibility is to provide all users with equal access to information and functionality, enabling them to navigate and interact with web content.

Web accessibility is not just a legal requirement in many jurisdictions (such as the ADA in the U.S. or WCAG in Europe); it’s also about making your website usable and friendly to a broader audience. It’s about being mindful of the diverse needs of your users and ensuring they can all engage with your content in an intuitive and meaningful way.

Why Accessibility Matters

1. Legal and Ethical Responsibility: Ensuring that your website meets accessibility standards is not just a best practice; in many cases, it’s a legal requirement. Websites that are not accessible can be subject to lawsuits or fines, as is the case under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). However, the ethical responsibility to make your website inclusive should be a primary motivator.

2. Wider Audience Reach: By improving accessibility, you open your website to a wider audience, including people with visual impairments, hearing loss, motor disabilities, and cognitive challenges. This inclusive approach benefits not just individuals with disabilities but also older adults, people with temporary injuries, and those in environments where they cannot use traditional interfaces.

3. Improved User Experience: Accessible design practices often lead to better overall user experience. Features like simple navigation, clean design, and easily readable text benefit all users—not just those with disabilities. A website designed for accessibility is often easier to use, which can increase user retention and engagement.

Key Principles of Accessible Web Design

1. Perceivable Content

Content must be presented in ways that all users can perceive, regardless of their sensory abilities. This includes:

• Text Alternatives for Non-Text Content: Images, videos, and other non-text elements should have text alternatives (such as alt text) to ensure they can be understood by screen readers and other assistive technologies.

• Contrast and Readability: Ensure sufficient contrast between text and background colors to make the content legible for users with low vision or color blindness. WCAG recommends a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text.

• Multimedia Alternatives: Provide transcripts for audio content and captions for video content. This ensures that people with hearing impairments can access multimedia content effectively.

2. Operable Interface

Websites must be navigable and interactive for all users, including those who cannot use a mouse or rely on keyboard navigation, voice commands, or other assistive devices. Consider the following:

• Keyboard Accessibility: Ensure that all interactive elements (forms, buttons, menus, etc.) can be accessed and controlled using only a keyboard. This benefits users with motor disabilities who may struggle with a mouse.

• Focusable Elements: Interactive elements should be focusable, meaning users can tab through them using the keyboard. Properly managing the tab order helps users with motor impairments navigate through the site seamlessly.

• Clear Navigation: Make sure the site’s navigation is intuitive and simple to follow. This is especially important for users with cognitive impairments or those who may use screen readers. Using headings and lists, for instance, helps organize content and makes it easier to find key information.

3. Understandable Content

Content must be clear and understandable for all users, including those with cognitive or learning disabilities. This involves:

• Simple Language: Use clear, simple language that is easy for everyone to understand. Avoid jargon or overly complex sentence structures.

• Instructions and Feedback: Provide clear instructions for forms and other interactive elements. When a user makes a mistake, provide helpful feedback that guides them in correcting the issue.

• Consistent Layout: Keep the layout consistent across your website, with familiar elements like navigation menus and call-to-action buttons in the same places on each page. This makes it easier for users to know where to find things, reducing confusion.

4. Robust Code and Compatibility

Websites should work reliably with all browsers and assistive technologies, ensuring a smooth experience across various devices and platforms. To achieve this:

• Semantic HTML: Use proper HTML tags (headings, lists, etc.) to create a logical structure. Screen readers rely on this to communicate the content's structure to users.

• Accessible Forms: Label all form inputs properly with associated labels and error messages. Include instructions for users on how to complete the form if needed.

• Test Across Multiple Devices and Tools: Ensure that your site works well with various screen readers, browsers, and devices, and conduct user testing to identify accessibility issues before launch.

Tools and Resources for Creating Accessible Websites

• WAVE (Web Accessibility Evaluation Tool): WAVE is a free web accessibility tool that helps identify accessibility issues and provides suggestions for fixing them.

• AXE Accessibility Checker: A popular accessibility testing tool for web developers that helps ensure your website is compliant with accessibility standards.

• WebAIM Color Contrast Checker: This tool helps you check the color contrast between text and background, ensuring your website meets accessibility standards for users with visual impairments.

• VoiceOver and NVDA Screen Readers: Test your website with screen readers to ensure that content is being read aloud correctly and that all elements are navigable.

Common Accessibility Mistakes to Avoid

• Inadequate Alt Text: Always provide descriptive alt text for images, but avoid using the same text for multiple images. Alt text should be context-specific.

• Lack of Keyboard Navigation: Ensure that every interactive element is reachable and usable via keyboard. Test your website’s accessibility by navigating it with just the keyboard.

• Complex Forms: Forms with unclear instructions or labels can be difficult for users with cognitive disabilities. Provide clear instructions, and ensure error messages are easy to understand.

Conclusion

As web designers, we have a responsibility to ensure our websites are accessible to all users. By following the principles outlined in this guide, you can create websites that are inclusive and provide a positive user experience for people with diverse abilities. Remember that accessibility benefits not only users with disabilities but also improves overall usability and can contribute to better SEO and higher engagement rates.

The future of web design is inclusive, and with the right tools and understanding, we can create a digital world that is accessible, functional, and welcoming to everyone.

References

W3C. (n.d.). Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1. W3C. Retrieved from https://www.w3.org/WAI/WCAG21/

U.S. Department of Justice. (n.d.). Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Retrieved from https://www.ada.gov/

WebAIM. (n.d.). Web Accessibility in Mind. Retrieved from https://webaim.org/

WebAIM. (n.d.). WAVE Web Accessibility Tool. Retrieved from https://wave.webaim.org/

Deque Systems. (n.d.). AXE Accessibility Checker. Retrieved from https://www.deque.com/axe/

Apple Inc. (n.d.). VoiceOver - Apple’s Screen Reader. Retrieved from https://www.apple.com/accessibility/ios/

NVAccess. (n.d.). NVDA (NonVisual Desktop Access). Retrieved from https://www.nvaccess.org/