Web Accessibility Guide

Web accessibility is a crucial aspect of web design that has gained increasing attention over the years. As the number of internet users continues to grow, it's important to ensure that websites and web applications are accessible to everyone, including those with disabilities.

In this guide, we'll explore what web accessibility is, why it should be considered in web design, and the web accessibility standards that you should follow to create accessible web content. We'll also provide tips on how to improve web accessibility and test for accessibility compliance.

What is Web Accessibility?

Web accessibility refers to the practice of designing and developing websites and digital content in a way that can be accessed, understood, and used by all people, including those with disabilities. This includes people who are blind, deaf, have mobility impairments, or have cognitive or neurological disabilities. Accessibility is not only important for people with disabilities, but it also provides a better experience for all users.

Why Accessibility Should Be Considered in Web Design

Here’s why it’s imperative for web accessibility to be considered in web design:

Provides a Better Experience for All Users

When websites are designed with accessibility in mind, they are easier to use for everyone. Websites that are easy to navigate, have clear and concise language, and are designed to work well on mobile devices, benefit all users.

Expands Your Audience

By ensuring that your website is accessible, you open it up to a wider audience, including people with disabilities. This can increase the number of potential customers, clients, or users of your website.

Is a Legal and Ethical Obligation

Web accessibility is a legal obligation in many countries, and it is also an ethical obligation. Ensuring that your website is accessible is the right thing to do, as it ensures that everyone has equal access to information and services.

Web Accessibility Standards

The WCAG is a set of guidelines created by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) that provides a framework for creating accessible websites. These guidelines are organised into four principles:

1. Perceivable
2. Operable
3. Understandable
4. Robust

Let’s take a look at each principle in greater detail.

Perceivable

To make content perceivable, websites should offer text alternatives for non-text content such as images, videos, and audio. They should also offer alternative ways to consume time-based media, such as captions for videos. Finally, content should be structured in an adaptable way, so it can be easily understood by all users.

Operable

To make content operable, websites should ensure total functionality via the keyboard. This is especially important for people who are unable to use a mouse. Websites should also provide ample time to engage with content and avoid flashing content. Additionally, clear navigation should be provided to help users find what they need.

Understandable

To make content understandable, websites should make sure that content is easily readable, logically structured, and write useful error messages. These measures make it easier for all users to understand the content and find what they are looking for.

Robust

To make content robust, websites should write semantic HTML that can be parsed by assistive technologies such as screen readers. This ensures that all users, including those with disabilities, can access and use the content.

How to improve web accessibility

Improving web accessibility is a continuous process that requires careful consideration and implementation of best practices. Here are ten ways to improve web accessibility on your site:

Use alt tags

Alt tags are a critical component of web accessibility. They help screen reader software describe images and other non-textual content to visually impaired users. When creating alt tags, be sure to provide a concise and accurate description of the image.

Use better tables

Tables are useful for displaying data, but they can also pose a challenge for screen reader users. To improve accessibility, use header cells to identify columns and rows, use row and column groups to group cells together, and avoid using tables for layout purposes.

Optimise keyboard navigation

Keyboard accessibility is essential for users who cannot use a mouse or other pointing device. Ensure that all elements on your site can be accessed using a keyboard, and that the tab order is logical.

Establish content hierarchy

Use a clear and logical content hierarchy to make your site easier to navigate for all users. Use heading tags to structure your content, and ensure that the hierarchy is reflected in your site's navigation.

Use default HTML tags

Default HTML tags such as <p>, <ul>, and <ol> are inherently accessible and can be used to structure your content. Avoid using custom tags that may not be recognised by screen readers or other assistive technologies.

Always use the title tag

The title tag is an essential component of web accessibility. It provides a concise and accurate description of the page's content and helps users understand the purpose of the page.

Ensure sufficient contrast ratio

Use high contrast colors to ensure that text is readable by users with low vision or color blindness. A contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 between text and its background is recommended.

Use the ARIA tag

The ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) tag can be used to enhance the accessibility of complex web applications. It provides additional context and information to assistive technologies, helping users understand the purpose and functionality of complex components.

Test designs with real users

User testing is an essential component of web accessibility. It allows you to identify accessibility issues and gather feedback from users with different abilities. Testing with real users is the best way to ensure that your site is accessible to everyone.

Use focus indicators

Focus indicators are essential for keyboard accessibility. They help users understand where they are on the page and which element is currently in focus. Ensure that focus indicators are clearly visible and easy to distinguish from other elements on the page.

Our top 3 tips for web accessibility testing

Here are Thin Martian’s top 3 tips for web accessibility testing.

#1: Follow guidelines

Following established guidelines, such as WCAG, is crucial in ensuring that your website meets basic accessibility standards. However, it is important to remember that these guidelines are only the minimum requirements. To truly ensure a fully accessible website, additional testing and optimisation may be necessary.

#2: Test using accessibility tools & assistive technologies

Use accessibility tools and assistive technologies such as screen readers, magnifiers, and voice recognition software to test your website. These tools simulate the experience of a user with a disability and help identify potential issues.

#3: User testing

It is important to include users with disabilities in your testing process. User testing can help identify potential accessibility issues that may not have been caught in automated testing or by following guidelines. Feedback from users with disabilities can also provide valuable insights into how to improve the overall user experience.

Web accessibility FAQs

Here are the answers to some of the most commonly asked questions around website accessibility:

How can you tell if a website has good accessibility?

A website that has good accessibility should be perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust. Some common indicators of good accessibility include the presence of alternative text descriptions for images and other non-text content, clear and logical page structure, proper use of headings, and proper color contrast.

What are some common accessibility issues?

Some common accessibility issues include insufficient color contrast, missing or inadequate alternative text descriptions for images and other non-text content, lack of keyboard accessibility, unclear or illogical page structure, and inaccessible forms.

What are the most serious accessibility issues?

The most serious accessibility issues are those that prevent users with disabilities from accessing or navigating a website. This can include issues with keyboard accessibility, screen reader compatibility, and color contrast. Additionally, websites that fail to meet basic accessibility standards can face legal and financial consequences.