Accessibility is sometimes treated like a specialist feature that can be added to a website later.
It shouldn't be.
Accessible design simply means making websites easier for more people to use.
Many improvements also create a better experience for everybody.
Make text readable
Tiny grey text on a slightly different shade of grey may look beautifully minimal on a designer's monitor.
It is considerably less impressive when somebody can't read it.
Use appropriate:
- text sizes
- line spacing
- colour contrast
- paragraph lengths.
Don't rely on colour alone
Red for bad and green for good may seem obvious.
But not everybody perceives colour in the same way.
Use icons, labels or text alongside colour where meaning matters.
Give images useful alternative text
Alternative text helps screen-reader users understand meaningful images.
Describe what matters.
Decorative imagery does not need an essay.
Use proper headings
Headings are not simply large text.
A logical heading hierarchy helps users navigate content and gives assistive technology meaningful structure.
Make forms understandable
Every field should have a clear label.
Errors should explain what needs correcting.
Do not make somebody play “guess which box is unhappy” because an outline changed colour.
Ensure keyboard navigation works
Some people browse without a mouse.
Try navigating your website using a keyboard.
Can you:
- reach menus?
- select buttons?
- complete forms?
- see which element currently has focus?
Caption video where appropriate
Captions benefit people with hearing impairments, but also anyone watching a video with the sound off.
That includes a remarkably large number of people pretending to work on LinkedIn.
Make links meaningful
A screen full of links called “Click here” provides very little context.
Use descriptive wording.
Don't let animation become an obstacle
Animation can improve hierarchy and polish.
It shouldn't make content difficult to access or force users through unnecessary effects.
Be particularly careful with flashing, continuous motion and interactions that cannot easily be controlled.
Accessibility is a process
There isn't a magic accessibility plugin that absolves everybody of responsibility.
Accessibility needs considering during:
- design
- development
- content creation
- testing
- ongoing updates.
The result is a website that works for more people.
That is not merely good practice.
It is good business.
Strategy. Creativity. Technology.
