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Having a website is essential for any business or organisation.

However, not all websites are created equal when it comes to accessibility.

A lot of businesses are unaware about digital accessibility.

Website accessibility refers to the practice of making websites usable by people with disabilities, including those with visual, auditory, motor, or cognitive impairments.

What is website accessibility?

Design websites for accessibility, ensuring all users, including those with disabilities, can access information.

Key considerations include colour contrast, alternative text for multimedia, and keyboard-friendly navigation.

Compatibility with assistive technologies like screen readers and speech recognition is crucial for inclusivity and can boost SEO.

Accessibility is a legal requirement in the UK under the Equality Act 2010, mandating adjustments for services, including websites.

Non-compliance can lead to legal consequences, fines, and reputational damage

Beyond legality, it’s a moral imperative to ensure equal access to information and services online, promoting inclusivity, a key value in a modern and progressive society.

What are the benefits of designing for accessibility?

“Designing a website with accessibility in mind is essential for ensuring that all users, regardless of their abilities, can navigate and interact with your site effectively.

Incorporating accessible design principles not only improves user experience but also boosts your SEO.

For additional guidance on maintaining your site, consider checking out these effective website management tips to enhance your overall website performance.”

Designing for accessibility brings numerous benefits.

  • It broadens your audience, enhancing traffic, engagement, and your organisation’s inclusive reputation.
  • Accessible design improves usability for all users, not just those with disabilities, promoting quicker and easier information retrieval.
  • It often boosts website performance through code optimisation.

Additionally, adhering to international standards like the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) enhances your website’s global accessibility and user-friendliness, contributing to your organisation’s positive global standing.

Understanding Accessibility Standards in the UK

Designing an accessible website means adhering to specific standards and guidelines set by regulatory bodies.

In the UK, accessibility standards are governed by both legal requirements and international best practices.

Overview of UK accessibility laws

In the UK, website accessibility is regulated by the Equality Act 2010.

The Act states that it is illegal to discriminate against individuals with disabilities by not making reasonable adjustments to services, including websites.

The act applies to all websites, including those of private businesses, public sector organisations, and third-sector organisations.

The Act requires organisations to ensure that their websites are accessible to all users, including those with disabilities.

In addition to the Equality Act, there are also specific regulations that apply to public sector websites.

The Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018 states that all public sector organisations must comply with the WCAG 2.1 AA standard by September 2020.

Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)

Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) outline standards for website accessibility.

With three conformance levels, AA is the UK’s legal minimum.

Guidelines cover various issues, regularly updated to match tech advancements and user needs. WCAG 2.1, released in 2018, addresses mobile accessibility and cognitive disabilities.

Organisations can test compliance using tools, ensuring not only legal adherence but also enhancing the overall user experience.

Assistive technology used in the UK

Assistive technology refers to software or hardware that enables people with disabilities to access and use computers and the Internet.

There are many types of assistive technology used in the UK, including:

  • Screen readers: software that reads out the content of a website using synthesised speech or braille output.
  • Screen magnifiers: software that enlarges the content of a website to make it easier to read.
  • Speech recognition software: software that allows users to control their computer or website through voice commands.
  • Braille displays hardware that converts digital text into braille output for users who are blind or visually impaired.
  • Switch access: hardware that allows users with motor disabilities to control their computer or website using switches instead of a keyboard or mouse.

Designing for accessibility means making sure that websites are compatible with assistive technology.

For example, websites must be compatible with screen readers by using alternative text for images and providing clear and concise headings.

Additionally, websites must be navigable using only a keyboard, as many users with disabilities use keyboard-only navigation.

Designing for accessibility in the UK means complying with both legal requirements and international best practices.

The WCAG guidelines provide a framework for designing accessible websites, and compliance with these guidelines ensures that websites are usable by all users, including those with disabilities.

Finally, designing for accessibility also means making sure that websites are compatible with the various types of assistive technology used in the UK.

Conducting an Accessibility Audit

Conducting an accessibility audit is an important step in ensuring that your website is accessible to all users, including those with disabilities.

Preparing for an audit

Before conducting an accessibility audit, it is important to understand the scope of the audit and the resources required. Some key factors to consider include:

  • The size and complexity of the website
  • The types of content and functionality on the website
  • The experience and expertise of the audit team
  • The tools and techniques to be used in the audit

It is also important to communicate with stakeholders and involve them in the audit process.

This includes website owners, developers, and any third-party vendors who provide tools or plugins for the website.

Identifying accessibility issues on your website

The first step in conducting an accessibility audit is to identify potential accessibility issues on your website.

This can be done using a variety of techniques, including:

  • Manual testing: manually navigating the website using assistive technology such as a screen reader, and identifying any barriers to accessibility.
  • Automated testing: using automated testing tools to scan the website for accessibility issues, such as missing alternative text for images or improper use of headings.
  • User testing: working with users with disabilities to test the website and identify any issues they may encounter.

Common accessibility issues that may be identified during an audit include:

  • Inaccessible forms: forms that are not navigable using a keyboard or do not provide clear instructions for completing the form
  • Inaccessible media: media such as images or videos that do not have alternative text or captions.
  • Poor colour contrast: text or background colours that do not provide enough contrast for users with visual impairments.
  • Poorly structured content: content that is not properly structured with headings and lists, making it difficult to navigate using assistive technology.

Evaluating the accessibility of third-party tools and plugins

Many websites use third-party tools or plugins, such as social media widgets or advertising platforms.

These tools can sometimes create accessibility barriers that must be identified and addressed during an accessibility audit.

When evaluating the accessibility of third-party tools and plugins, it is important to consider:

  • The accessibility features provided by the tool or plugin
  • The compatibility of the tool or plugin with assistive technology
  • The level of control the website owner has over the tool or plugin

If a third-party tool or plugin is found to be inaccessible, the website owner should work with the vendor to find a solution or consider alternative tools or plugins that are more accessible.

Best Practices for Designing Accessible Websites

Designing a website that is accessible to all users, including those with disabilities, requires a thoughtful approach to design and development.

Choosing a colour scheme that works for everyone

Choosing a colour scheme that provides enough contrast for users with visual impairments is an important aspect of designing an accessible website.

The WCAG provides guidelines for colour contrast ratios that should be followed to ensure that text is readable for all users.

To ensure that your colour scheme is accessible, consider using colour contrast checkers and simulators during the design process.

Additionally, avoid using colour as the only means of conveying information, as users with colour blindness may not be able to differentiate between certain colours.

Designing for different screen sizes

Designing for different screen sizes is essential for ensuring that your website is accessible on a variety of devices, including desktops, laptops, tablets, and smartphones.

Responsive design techniques can be used to ensure that content is displayed appropriately on different screen sizes.

When designing for different screen sizes, it is also important to consider how users with mobility impairments may interact with the website.

For example, buttons and links should be large enough to be easily clicked on a touchscreen device, and menus should be easy to navigate using a keyboard.

Using proper heading structure

Proper heading structure is important for ensuring that users with visual impairments can navigate your website using assistive technology such as a screen reader.

Headings should be used to organise content hierarchically, with the main heading (H1) representing the main topic or theme of the page.

It is also important to ensure that headings are used consistently throughout the website.

For example, all pages should have an H1 heading, and subheadings should be used to break up content into smaller sections.

Writing accessible content

Writing accessible content involves using clear and concise language that is easy to understand for all users.

This is especially important for users with cognitive or learning disabilities.

Some tips for writing accessible content include:

  • Using simple language and avoiding jargon
  • Breaking up content into short paragraphs with descriptive subheadings
  • Using lists to highlight key points
  • Avoiding using all caps or excessive punctuation
  • Providing alternative text for images and multimedia

Providing alternative text for images and multimedia is important for users with visual impairments who may not be able to see the content.

Alternative text should be concise and descriptive, providing enough information for the user to understand the content of the image or multimedia.

When providing alternative text for images, it is also important to consider the context in which the image is used.

For example, if an image is used as a link, the alternative text should describe the destination of the link.

Making forms accessible

Making forms accessible involves ensuring that users with disabilities can navigate and complete forms on your website.

  • Using clear labels for form fields
  • Providing instructions for completing the form
  • Ensuring that the form can be navigated using a keyboard
  • Using error messages that are easy to understand and describe how to correct the error

Navigation and User Experience

Navigation and user experience play a crucial role in designing an accessible website.

Designing a clear and consistent navigation

Designing clear and consistent navigation is important for ensuring that users can easily find the content they are looking for on your website.

  • Using descriptive labels for navigation links
  • Grouping related content together
  • Using a breadcrumb trail to show the user’s location within the website
  • Using a sitemap to provide an overview of the website’s content

It is also important to ensure that the navigation is consistent across all pages of the website and that it is easy to access from any page.

Improving website speed and performance

Improving website speed and performance is important for ensuring that users can access your website quickly and efficiently.

This is especially important for users with slow internet connections or limited data plans.

  • Optimising images and multimedia to reduce the file size
  • Minimising HTTP requests by reducing the number of scripts and stylesheets used on the website
  • Enabling browser caching to reduce the server load
  • Using a content delivery network (CDN) to improve website load times for users in different geographic locations
  • Making your website responsive

It’s also vital to make your website responsive.

  • Using flexible layouts that adapt to different screen sizes
  • Using media queries to adjust styles based on the device being used
  • Designing with touchscreens in mind, using larger buttons and touch-friendly controls
  • Providing alternative navigation options for users who may have difficulty with touchscreens, such as voice commands or keyboard navigation

Implementing keyboard navigation

Implementing keyboard navigation is important for ensuring that users with mobility impairments or visual impairments can navigate your website using a keyboard or assistive technology such as a screen reader.

  • Ensuring that all content can be accessed using the keyboard alone
  • Using a logical tab order to ensure that keyboard users can navigate content in a logical manner
  • Providing keyboard shortcuts for frequently used functions
  • Using clear focus states to indicate which element has keyboard focus

Accessibility Testing and Validation

Accessibility testing and validation are crucial steps in ensuring that your website is accessible to all users, including those with disabilities.

Tools and resources for accessibility testing

There are several tools and resources available for accessibility testing, including automated testing tools, manual testing methods, and accessibility checklists.

Some popular automated testing tools include:

  • Web Accessibility Evaluation Tool (WAVE)
  • Accessibility Insights
  • AChecker

Manual testing methods can also be used to identify accessibility issues that may not be detected by automated tools. Some popular manual testing methods include:

  • Keyboard-only navigation testing
  • Screen reader testing
  • Colour contrast testing

Accessibility checklists can also be used to identify accessibility issues on your website. These checklists provide a list of guidelines and best practices for designing an accessible website.

Conducting user testing

User testing is an important step in identifying accessibility issues on your website. User testing involves having people with disabilities test your website to identify any accessibility barriers.

When conducting user testing, it is important to recruit a diverse group of users with a range of disabilities.

This can include users with visual impairments, hearing impairments, mobility impairments, and cognitive impairments.

User testing can be conducted in a variety of ways, including in-person testing, remote testing, and moderated testing.

During user testing, participants should be asked to perform a variety of tasks on the website to identify any accessibility barriers.

Validating your website for accessibility compliance

Validating your website for accessibility compliance involves testing your website against accessibility standards and guidelines, such as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).

WCAG is a set of guidelines developed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) that provide a framework for designing an accessible website.

To validate your website for accessibility compliance, you can use a variety of tools and techniques, including:

  • Manual testing methods
  • Automated testing tools
  • Expert reviews
  • WCAG evaluation and reporting tools

Once you have identified any accessibility issues on your website, you should work to address them as soon as possible.

This may involve making changes to your website’s design, content, or code.

Maintaining Accessibility

Ensuring your website stays accessible involves ongoing monitoring, updates, and user-focused actions.

  • Regular Monitoring: Continuously check for accessibility issues using tools like automated testers and manual methods, adapting as your site evolves.
  • Issue Resolution: Address accessibility barriers promptly by adjusting design elements, content, or code, prioritizing fixes based on user impact.
  • Accessible Resources: Provide alternative document formats and inclusive tutorials with captions and transcripts to accommodate diverse user needs.
  • Team Education: Offer ongoing training to your team on accessibility guidelines and practices to embed accessibility into your website’s development and upkeep.