How to build a website that is accessible to all

Have you ever wondered how someone with a disability navigates your website? How easy would it be for them to look up and find what they need on your website? Web accessibility is a fundamental feature that allows everyone, including those with disabilities, to access your website. When you make your website accessible, you're not only meeting legal obligations but also offering a more inclusive experience that can reach a broader audience.

In this blog, we will look at whom we should keep in mind while building the website, and learn about some of the accessible features every website must have.

Who Will These Accessibility Features Benefit?

1. Visually Impaired Users: Individuals who cannot rely on sight to navigate the web will be able to access and interact with content in meaningful ways, ensuring a full user experience.

• Hearing Impaired Users: People with hearing impairments will be able to engage with audio and video content, ensuring they don’t miss out on essential information or experiences.

• Motor-Impaired Users: Those with limited dexterity or mobility will find it easier to navigate websites and complete tasks without relying on traditional mouse input.

• Cognitive Disabilities: Users with cognitive challenges, such as learning disabilities or attention disorders, will benefit from streamlined, easy-to-follow navigation and clear, actionable instructions throughout the website.

• Older Users: As people age, they may face challenges with vision, hearing, or motor functions. Accessibility features make it easier for older individuals to navigate websites comfortably and efficiently.

How To Make Websites Accessible To All:

Consistent Layout and Structure

When you plan your website, you need to ensure that all the pages across your website are consistent. A uniform and consistent structure includes consistent sections, a menu, and more, so users can navigate easily.

A well-organized layout is key for users with cognitive impairments, as it helps them focus on important content and tasks without being overwhelmed.

Motor-impaired users find it easier to navigate if the website’s layout is predictable, reducing frustration and improving their ability to complete tasks.

Semantic HTML tags (like <header>, <nav>, <footer>) allow screen readers to read and organize the content efficiently.

Resizable Text

Users to increase or decrease the font size on a website with this feature. This feature is essential for users with visual impairments, particularly those with low vision or age-related vision decline. It provides them with the flexibility to adjust text to a size that’s comfortable for reading without distorting the layout or making the website unusable.

Many users with low vision or visual impairments struggle with small text sizes. By allowing users to resize text, you give them control over how they consume content, improving readability and comfort.

Allowing users to resize text is important not just for desktop users but also for mobile users, ensuring that your website remains user-friendly across all devices.

Alt Text for Images

Alt text (alternative text) is the written description for images on a website. It's used by screen readers to describe images to users who can't see them. To implement this, you need to add a text label in the HTML code of the image.

Blind users or those with severe visual impairments rely on screen readers to interpret and describe images. Without alt text, they miss out on vital information.

Even if a user can see an image, alt text ensures that the context and meaning of the image are conveyed properly.

High Contrast Colors

High contrast involves using dark text on a light background or vice versa, creating a clear visual distinction that makes reading easier for users with low vision. With the high contrast, the users can clearly see the content on the website.

Many users with low vision or color blindness have trouble reading text that doesn’t contrast sharply with its background.

High contrast can be essential for users with color blindness to differentiate between text and background or to identify important UI elements.

Captions and Transcripts for Video Content

The spoken content in the videos can be captured in the captions. Transcripts provide the full text version of all audio, including dialogue and sound effects, for the entire video.

Some users may find it easier to follow along with transcripts rather than videos, or they may prefer reading text over watching videos.

Deaf or hard-of-hearing users need captions to follow along with video content. Without captions, they miss out on vital information that may be integral to the site’s purpose.

Mobile Accessibility

Mobile accessibility refers to the ability of your website to function properly on mobile devices, ensuring the layout and content adjust to smaller screens and users can easily interact with the site via touch navigation.

• Many users, including those with motor impairments, rely on touchscreens for interaction. Mobile accessibility ensures the site is easy to navigate with fingers or assistive touch tools.

• A mobile-friendly website adjusts to various screen sizes, improving user experience for all users, including those with visual or motor impairments.

Incorporating these accessibility features into your website not only ensures equal access for people with disabilities but also makes life easier for everyone. By making your website more inclusive, you create an environment where all users, regardless of their abilities, can navigate and engage with ease.