There are many different factors to consider when building a website for your business, but building inclusive websites that are accessible to people with diverse abilities is becoming more and more important. Not only is this good web design practice, but it’s also becoming essential to meeting both local regulations and international standards. accessiBe has more information on some of the most important techniques and principles that you’ll need to implement in order to ensure that your next web design project is accessible. 

What is Web Accessibility?

An accessible website is a website that is readily available and easy for any user to use regardless of the device that they are using, their situation, and their ability. While the internet was designed to remove many of the obstacles and barriers that were standing in the way of communication and interaction with the world, certain issues can often get in the way of this. For example, people with visual impairments or hearing loss might have trouble interacting with a website if it does not have the adequate built-in enhancements. So, what are some of the most important considerations to make when designing an accessible website?

Alternatives for Consuming Content

Any website needs to provide content that can somehow be perceived, either through reading or listening. However, when a user is unable to rely on senses such as sight or hearing, there will need to be alternatives in place to ensure that the content is accessible to them. For example, tags to provide descriptions for images and videos for users who are accessing the content using screen readers, or subtitles for videos and audio files on your website. 

Operable User Interface

It is important to consider as many needs as possible when it comes to how users interact with your website. For example, supporting keyboard navigation will make sure that your website and content is accessible by devices that emulate keyboards. Some of the features that you can provide here include site maps, skip navigation links, and site search. Make ample use of spacing and semantic elements to ensure that your content structure can be easily perceived, and give users enough time to read confirmation messages before the page is reloaded. Reviews have rated the tools offered by accessiBe highly when it comes to ensuring that their website navigation system is accessible to all. 

Understandable Content

There are various things that you can do to make sure that the content on your website is understandable by all. One of the main ways to do this is through using font sizes and color contrasts. It’s important to consider visually impaired users in particular when determining which font sizes to use. And bear in mind that color-blind visitors to your site might see something completely different if you have not chosen a color-blind friendly color scheme. You can use the free audit from accessiBe to find out more about any areas of your website that could be improved. 

Today, making sure that your website is accessible to all is not only important for compliance with regulations, but to ensure that your business is able to connect with all of its potential customers.