Web accessibility has become more important than ever. Did you know that more than 6 million people have a disability? Those 6 million people struggle to access the Internet and get valuable information because many websites aren’t designed to be accessible. The development of technology and the Internet made people do everything online, from simple things like shopping, paying the bills to applying for jobs and making doctor appointments.
And while these might sound like simple tasks, they can be quite difficult for people with disabilities. The Internet has many benefits, but those benefits can be hard to access for people with disabilities. In reality, more than 90% of commercial and public websites aren’t completely accessible.
Why Should You Improve Your Website’s Accessibility?
By improving your web accessibilityyou’ll not only be giving access to millions of people with disabilities, but you’ll business have countless benefits.
Here’s why you should improve your website’s accessibility.
It Gives Equal Access To Everyone
Giving access to all people is the moral thing to do. Imagine not being able to access everything that the Internet has to offer. By making websites accessible, you’ll create an inclusive and responsive environment and significantly impact millions of people’s lives.
Your Economic Opportunities Will Improve
When your website is accessible, you’ll be able to reach a larger audience. Your business will attract more customers, and your income will increase. An accessible website means that you’ll be giving access to millions of potential customers, so it’s something worth doing.
You Will Be Abiding By The Law
In many countries, not incorporating web accessibility is punished by law. If you don’t make your website accessible, you can face lawsuits.
Ways to Improve Your Website Accessibility
When you have a website that is accessible, you’ll be given access to millions of people worldwide. People with disabilities can access, navigate and understand the content on your site, and you’ll make them feel like equal members of society. Keep on reading to find out how you can improve your website accessibility.
Use Headings to Give Structure to Your Content
Many people use assistive reading technology. This technology scans the content for headings to interpret the page’s structure. Use H1 for the primary title of the page, and then use H2. You can also use H3 and H4 under H2 if needed to improve the structure of the content. Don’t go from H1 to H3 because the assistive reader might indicate that content is missing.
Use a Content Management System That Supports Accessibility
There are many available content management systems for building websites. Once you pick a CMS that fits your needs, choose a template that is accessible. The chosen theme also comes with notes on accessibility, and if you follow the notes, you can create the ultimate accessible theme. Also, if you use video players and editing toolbars, ensure that those support creating accessible content.
Use Alt-Text for Images
When you use Alt-Text under an image, people who use screen readers can understand the message behind the uploaded image. When writing Alt-Text, ensure that the text contains the exact message you want to convey through the image. If an image is only used for decoration, you don’t have to use Alt-text.
Give Your Links Descriptive Names
If you include links in your content, use more descriptive text about the link. If you use “click here,” that can be ineffective for people who use screen readers. When you use simple text for your link, the screen reased often doesn’t read it within the proper context.
Wear Color Properly
More than 8% of the world population has a problem with color deficiency, particularly red-green color deficiency. If you use red or green colors only on your website, many people won’t be able to understand the reply of your message. Use color and other visual indicators, and make sure to ditinguish content blocks by using visual separation. If you’re unsure what the proper way to handle color is to make your site more accessible, there are many online tools that can help you.
Make Sure The Content Can Be Accessed Through a Keyboard
People with mobility disabilities can’t use a trackpad or mouse to access the Internet. They can use a keyboard or an alternative input device such as a mouth stick or single-switch input. If your pages are long, with lots of content, you should break up the anchor links so that users who use keyboards can skip to the relevant content on the page. The best way to do this is to provide a “skip to main content” button.
Simplify Your Website Design
Navigating a complex website can be challenging for people with neurological and cognitive disabilities. Ensure your website has a clean and simple design that will enable users with disabilities to understand the content properly.
Conclusion
There are millions of people with disabilities worldwide, and it’s important to make everything we can so they can also enjoy the perks and benefits the Internet offers. With some slight changes, you can make your website more accessible and open your site to a wider audience. You can always use AI tools if you are unsure how to do it.
