Websites have become the first point of contact for many people with businesses, services, and information. With such a diverse range of people relying on the internet, the importance of website accessibility can’t be overstated.
Website accessibility ensures that everyone, including people with disabilities, can navigate, interact with, and benefit from the digital content we create. The internet should be a space that is inclusive and welcoming to all, yet many websites remain inaccessible, excluding a significant portion of the population. But it doesn’t have to be this way. Let’s dive into why accessibility matters, how it benefits everyone, and practical steps to make your site inclusive.
Why Website Accessibility Matters
Reaching a Larger Audience
It may surprise you to learn that around one billion people globally have some form of disability, whether it’s related to vision, hearing, mobility, or cognitive function. These users may encounter barriers when trying to interact with content online if websites aren’t designed with their needs in mind. By prioritising accessibility, you’re opening your doors to a broader audience and making it easier for all users to engage with your brand, regardless of their abilities.
It’s the Law
In many countries, web accessibility is not just a nice-to-have – it’s a legal requirement. In the UK, the Equality Act 2010 mandates that businesses and organisations make reasonable adjustments to ensure their websites are accessible to everyone, including people with disabilities. Inaccessible websites could potentially lead to legal action, fines, and damage to your reputation.
Enhancing User Experience
Accessible design often results in an improved user experience for everyone. Features such as clear navigation, text that is easy to read, and multimedia that provides alternative ways to access information benefit not only those with disabilities but also people using mobile devices, older adults, and anyone in low-bandwidth environments. When done well, accessibility makes your site more user-friendly across the board.
Boosting SEO
Search engines love accessible websites. Many accessibility best practices – such as adding alt text to images, having a logical site structure, and including meaningful headings – align with SEO guidelines. So, improving your site’s accessibility could also give you a boost in search engine rankings, helping more people find your site in the first place.
How to Make Your Website Accessible
1. Design for Screen Readers
One of the first steps to making a website accessible is ensuring it can be read by screen readers, which convert digital text into synthesised speech or Braille for users with visual impairments. Here are a few ways to design with screen readers in mind:
- Use semantic HTML: HTML tags like
<header>,<nav>, and<footer>provide screen readers with information about the structure of the page, making it easier to navigate. - Add alt text to images: Alt text allows screen readers to describe images. It’s essential to be descriptive and specific in your alt text so users can grasp the context of the visual elements on your page.
- Ensure link text is meaningful: Instead of writing “click here,” describe where the link will take the user, for example, “Read our full report on accessibility”.
2. Provide Text Alternatives for Multimedia
Video and audio content are fantastic for engaging your audience, but not everyone can enjoy them in the same way. People with hearing impairments, for instance, may miss crucial information if there’s no text alternative. Here’s what you can do:
- Add captions to videos: Captions provide a text version of the spoken words and sounds in a video, which can benefit users with hearing impairments or those in environments where they can’t play sound.
- Transcripts for audio content: Podcasts and other audio files should include a written transcript so that users who can’t hear the audio can still access the content.
3. Use Colour Wisely
Colour contrast is another essential factor in accessibility. Some users have difficulty distinguishing between certain colours, particularly those with colour blindness or visual impairments.
- Ensure sufficient contrast: There should be a significant contrast between the text and background colours to make reading easier. Tools like WebAIM’s contrast checker can help you determine if your colour combinations meet accessibility guidelines.
- Don’t rely on colour alone: Use more than just colour to convey important information. For instance, if you’re using red to indicate an error, include an icon or text message to ensure that users who can’t perceive the colour still understand the meaning.
4. Make Navigation Easy
Clear and simple navigation benefits everyone, but it’s particularly crucial for people with disabilities who may rely on keyboard-only navigation or assistive technologies like screen readers. Here are a few key tips:
- Use descriptive headings: Headings should clearly describe the content that follows, and they should be structured in a logical, hierarchical order (e.g., using
<h1>for the main title and<h2>for subheadings). - Keyboard navigation: Ensure your website is fully navigable using only a keyboard. This includes allowing users to move through interactive elements (such as forms and buttons) and activate them without the use of a mouse.
- Add a ‘skip to content’ link: This allows keyboard users to bypass repetitive navigation links and jump straight to the main content, improving the user experience for people who rely on keyboards or screen readers.
5. Simplify Forms
Forms are an integral part of many websites, from contact forms to payment gateways, but they can be tricky to navigate for people with disabilities. To make forms more accessible:
- Label all form elements clearly: Every input field should have an associated label so that users with screen readers understand what information is required. The label should be visible, not just hidden in the code.
- Provide helpful error messages: When a form is submitted with errors, make sure the error messages are clear and guide the user on how to fix the problem. Avoid using vague statements like “input invalid” and instead explain what needs to be corrected.
6. Test Your Website for Accessibility
Creating an accessible website is not a one-and-done task. Regularly testing and updating your site is crucial to maintaining accessibility. You can use tools like WAVE (Web Accessibility Evaluation Tool) to identify potential issues and areas for improvement. Additionally, consider involving real users with disabilities in the testing process to gain valuable insights.
The Long-term Benefits of an Accessible Website
Fostering Inclusivity and Trust
When you make an effort to create an accessible website, you show your audience that you care about their needs. This fosters a sense of trust and loyalty, particularly with users who may have experienced the frustration of inaccessible sites in the past. An inclusive website reflects positively on your brand and enhances your reputation.
Future-Proofing Your Site
Digital accessibility isn’t a passing trend – it’s the future. As awareness around the importance of inclusivity grows, so do the expectations of users. By adopting accessibility practices now, you future-proof your site, ensuring it remains relevant and compliant with evolving standards.
Encouraging Innovation
Accessible design encourages creativity. Rather than seeing accessibility as a restriction, many developers and designers discover it can spark innovative ideas that ultimately improve the user experience for everyone.
Final Thoughts
Website accessibility is not just about ticking boxes – it’s about creating an inclusive digital environment that welcomes all users, regardless of their abilities. By implementing accessible practices, you’re not only complying with legal requirements, but also making your website more user-friendly, improving SEO, and building trust with your audience.
With the right tools and a thoughtful approach, making your site accessible doesn’t have to be difficult. And the rewards? They’re plentiful – from expanding your audience to fostering inclusivity and innovation. So, let’s embrace accessibility as an essential part of web design, and make the internet a space that’s welcoming to all.
We hope you've enjoyed the read. Why not see if we you're eligable to save with one of our comparisons next?