What is website accessibility?
Website accessibility means enabling people with disabilities (auditory, speech, visual, cognitive, physical and neurological) to use websites without any barriers.
Regardless of their software, hardware, language, location or ability - people should be able to perceive, operate, understand and interact with a website.
It’s way more than a trend - it should be considered a necessity.
Keep in mind though, that it does also benefit those people without a disability. For example, older people with changing abilities, people with a temporary disability (e.g. a broken arm) or people with limitations because of their situation (e.g. they may not be able to listen to audio).
There are still a huge number of websites out there which are not fully accessible, but website accessibility isn’t going anywhere, and rightly so.
Why is it important?
If your website doesn’t consider accessibility, there’s a huge number of people that could be prevented from using it. Ultimately, having an accessible website shows a commitment to inclusivity, because you’re able to create an experience which can be used and enjoyed by everyone.
There are other factors to consider though:
Improved user experience: the recommendations for an accessible website also improve the overall website experience for users without disabilities. See some of the examples I’ve highlighted further down in this article.
The impact on your brand: creating an all inclusive digital experience can have a positive impact on your brand’s reputation and overall image.
Reach a wider audience: if more people are able to use your website, you’re naturally going to be reaching a wider audience. Think of the opportunities this creates for new business.
Who develops the accessibility standards?
W3C develops international standards for the web, and they created the Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) to put in place standards and support materials to help people understand and implement accessibility.
Is it enforced?
In the UK, accessibility regulations came into force in 2018 for public sector bodies. To meet these regulations, a website or mobile app must:
What are the standards and guidelines?
Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) is built on four principles. A website must be:
Perceivable: A website must present interface components and information in a way that can be perceived by users with sensory impairments.
Operable: If a user has motor impairments and is using keyboard-only navigation (for example), they must be able to navigate and operate the user interface components.
Understandable: Users with cognitive limitations must be able to understand information and the user interface.
Robust: A wide range of user agents (including assistive technologies such as screen readers etc) must be able to interpret content.
How to create an accessible website.
Accessibility is not an afterthought - it should be factored in from the start of any website project by designers, developers and content creators.
Here are some examples of the guidelines and considerations that need to be made:
Navigation.
Creating a navigation system that is consistent and predictable is a must when it comes to creating a user-friendly website. But it also helps neurodiverse users follow and understand your website, in a way that requires less mental effort.
Colour contrast.
This means ensuring there is enough contrast between text and background colours, so that users with visual impairment and sensitivity can see your content. This should ideally be considered during the creation of a brand identity.
Readability.
Fonts should be clear and easy to read, with all text meeting a minimum font size. There should also be a clear heading hierarchy in place (aesthetically and structurally in the code), to help organise information, but also help screen readers navigate your content in a logical way.
Alt-text.
All images should include a small, accurate description (alt-text) that helps those using screen readers to engage with your media. It’s also best practice to help with your search engine ranking!
Website accessibility tools.
There are a range of tools that can help test and evaluate your website, such as WAVE.
The GEL Studios design team also regularly use tools like WebAIM Contrast Checker to help meet colour contrast requirements throughout the design process.
Websites - for everyone.
I'll say it again... website accessibility is way more than a trend - it's a necessity in today's digital landscape.
If your organisation is in need of a new accessible website, the GEL Studios team are on hand to help.