The internet should be considered one of the greatest inventions of all time. Not everyone can see all of the information on the internet, which is unfortunate because not everyone can use the internet as it was intended. Digital accessibility is critical.
Simply put, digital accessibility means ensuring that visitors to your website and other digital information can find their way around, interact with, and use them. However, web designers, online content creators, and developers are not always aware of accessibility issues. Consider the following suggestions to ensure that everyone can use your website.
Use Simple, Clear Language
Use plain or simple language so that everyone can understand what you’re saying, including those with cognitive issues or limited reading skills. You must collaborate with a digital accessibility team to ensure that your language is correct. We often understand what we’re trying to say or what we’ve written, but others may not. Make sure you’re on the right track by highlighting the suggestions below.
If you’re not sure how your content sounds, you can use software to test it for clarity and simplicity.
Prioritize Important Information
Use words that your audience will understand.
Make use of as many simple words and phrases as possible.
Always define technical terms or, if possible, avoid using them altogether.
The passive voice should not be used. Use the active voice instead, which gives your sentences a distinct “actor” and makes them easier to understand.
Add Audio and Video Subtitles
Not everyone processes information online in the same way they always have. People who have difficulty hearing, for example, will be unable to obtain information from movies and sound bites. They will be able to understand what you are saying if you add captions to your video and audio on your website.
- Captions, subjects, and phrases that stand on their own should be combined.
- Speakers should have labels.
- Captions should be displayed alongside the sound.
- Describe sounds that can be heard but not seen, such as a knock, ringing doorbells, and gunshots.
Make It Simple to Navigate Your Content
It is not enough to simply add text to videos and sounds to make a website accessible. It also has something to do with how simple it is to find your content.
Divide the text into sections. Too much information can make it difficult for any reader to keep up. As a result, you are not required to limit the amount of information on your website. If you make it simple for users to skip over text blocks they don’t want to read, they can get to the part they want to read faster. Just make certain that the way you divide your content makes sense.
Use Different Headings
People will understand how your text is put together better if you use headings. However, people who use assistive technology, such as screen readers, will find it easier to navigate the site and find what they need.
Every piece of paper should be repaired. You must ensure that all of your online papers are easily accessible. The process of determining what needs to be done to make PDFs and other documents more accessible is known as remediation. This means that people with cognitive difficulties and those who use assistive technology can both view PDFs and other documents you have. You add a table of contents, headings, alternate text for images, and tags during this step.
Include Extensive Alternative Text
Because not everyone can see images, alt text is used instead. For people who are blind or have difficulty seeing, alt text is a brief written description of an image. It’s also known as alt attributes or alt descriptions. It could also be used in place of a non-loading image.
Screen readers will understand what you’re saying if you add short but detailed alt text to each image on your website. Without alt text, some people may choose to ignore these photos or try to deduce their meaning from the file name.
As with your content, make sure your alt text is relevant and easy to understand. In the end, these minor details add up, and you should ensure that your information is as digitally accessible as possible.
To properly add Alt Text, make sure to:
Use keywords in the alt text whenever possible. Alt text assists with more than just reading. Images can aid in search engine optimization, particularly for Google (SEO). More people may visit your site if you use alt text to rank higher in Google Pictures.
Be concise and to the point. Long alt text can be difficult to read, especially for screen readers. It’s best to keep it brief and to the point. You should also use the proper alt text. Don’t use the same keywords or information repeatedly.
Check (And Correct) The Color Contrast.
Color contrast has a significant impact on how easy it is for visitors to use your website. Color contrast influences how people perceive and interact with information on your website.
When creating a website, web developers and designers frequently consider which colors will best represent your brand. The colors used should be distinct enough so that a user can distinguish between the text and the background.
So, how do you quantify the difference between colors? First and foremost, this cannot be accomplished through a simple visual inspection. Color is one aspect that everyone perceives differently. Even if your eyes are sharp, they can deceive you.
To complete this task correctly, use a color contrast checking tool, such as WebAIM’s Contrast Checker. The contrast ratio of text and text pictures should be at least 7:1 according to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1, except for large-scale text and images that go with it, which should have a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1.
If Your Website Is Digitally Accessible, More People Will Visit It.
Web accessibility allows all users, regardless of ability level, to access and use online content. It’s critical for web designers, content creators, and developers to figure out what makes a website accessible to all users.
QualityLogic makes it simple for you to evaluate your systems and convert them to digital accessibility. We provide a variety of testing services, as well as technologies, tools, and training to meet all of your digital accessibility needs. Visit www.qualitylogic.com to learn more about the services we provide.
