The Importance of Website Accessibility: Designing for Everyone

What is Website Accessibility?

Website accessibility is the practice of designing and developing websites to be usable by people with disabilities. This includes people with visual, auditory, motor and cognitive impairments. By making your website accessible, you ensure that everyone can access and use your content, regardless of their abilities.

Why is Website Accessibility Important?

There are several reasons why website accessibility is important:

1. Legal Compliance: In many countries, there are laws and regulations that require websites to be accessible. Failing to comply with these laws can result in legal action and financial penalties.

2. Ethical Considerations: Everyone deserves equal access to information and services, regardless of their abilities.

3. Wider Audience Reach: By making your website accessible, you can reach a wider audience of potential customers and clients.

4. Improved SEO: Search engines prioritise accessible websites. By making your website accessible, you can improve your search engine rankings.

Key Points of Website Accessibility

Perceivable

• Alternative Text for Images: Provide descriptive alternative text for all images.

• Captions and Transcripts: Add captions and transcripts to videos and audio content.

• Colour Contrast: Ensure sufficient colour contrast between text and background.

• Text Size: Allow users to adjust text size.

Operable

• Keyboard Navigation: Make sure all functionality is accessible via keyboard.

• Focus Indicators: Use clear focus indicators to show which element is currently selected.

• Time Limits: Avoid imposing time limits on tasks.

• Forms: Design forms to be accessible to screen reader users.

Understandable

• Readable Content: Use clear and concise language.

• Consistent Navigation: Maintain a consistent navigation structure.

• Predictable Behaviour: Make sure the website behaves predictably.

Robust

• Valid HTML and CSS: Use valid HTML and CSS to ensure compatibility with assistive technologies.

• Avoid JavaScript Dependencies: Minimise reliance on JavaScript for essential functionality.

Accessibility Checkers

To ensure your website is accessible, you can use accessibility checkers. These tools can identify potential accessibility issues and provide recommendations for improvement. Some popular accessibility checkers include:

WAVE Web Accessibility Evaluation Tool

Accessibility Checker

Google Lighthouse

Accessibility Beyond the Web

Accessibility is not limited to websites. It's important to consider accessibility in other formats as well, such as:

• Social Media Posts: Use alternative text for images and videos.

• Printed Company Literature: Use clear and concise language and consider using larger font sizes alongside sufficient colour contrasts.

• PDF Documents: Make sure PDFs are accessible to screen readers by using tags and alternative text.

Black Rocks Marketing: Accessibility as a Priority

At Black Rocks Marketing, we believe that accessibility is a fundamental aspect of web design. We design and develop websites with accessibility in mind, ensuring that they are usable by everyone. We use the latest tools and techniques to identify and address potential accessibility issues. By prioritising accessibility, we help our clients reach a wider audience and improve their online presence.

By following these guidelines and using the recommended tools, you can achieve a website that's accessible to everyone. Accessibility isn't just a legal requirement; it ensures that everyone can access and use your website.