A Quick Guide on Howto Implement Web Accessibility

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A Quick Guide on Howto Implement Web Accessibility
Jul
20

Basic accessibility

How to implement web accessibility is a growing question for web developers. Thankfully, there are tons of little things you can do to make your website easier to use for those who need extra assistance—from design elements to special features and beyond. To implement web accessibility, you may just need to make a few tweaks to how you’re handling your content. Some examples include:

  • Using proper heading and title tags for your written content (ex. H1, H2, H3)
  • Adding proper alt-image tags for pictures (ex. sailboat on Lake Michigan image)
  • Using proper link-text tags to define links (ex. link to City Council administrator page)
  • Design forms for accessibility (use shadow-text examples)

The above simple changes can be made on just about any website with ease, since they don’t actually affect the CSS of a web page. And, they’re some of the biggest improvements you can make, since they help impaired persons contextualize your website.

Advanced accessibility

Learning how to implement web accessibility goes even deeper than these surface changes, into the fundamental workings of your site. This can mean changing the CSS, coding or even the structure of your site to better accommodate those who may struggle to navigate without extra assistance. Some of the more complex changes that can be made include:

  • Ensuring all content can be accessed with a keyboard alone
  • Make dynamic content accessible to assistive technologies
  • Changing your color scheme to accommodate color blindness (red-green, all)
  • Changing CSS to accommodate styling, instead of using tables

Making these changes at a fundamental level of your website will help improve accessibility with assistive devices, as well as target areas of improvement for those with physical disabilities. They’re more difficult to implement, but once they are, your entire website will become more centrally improved.

Modern accessibility

If you’re wondering how to implement accessibility for the future, there are plenty of options to consider! As the internet evolves, the way we access it is evolving as well. New technologies pave the way even more for those requiring assistance. Take a look at a few of the more modern innovations for web accessibility:

  • Using voice-to-text or text-to-voice macros for easy translation
  • Closed captioning for videos, as well as transcriptions
  • Integration of Accessible Rich Internet Applications (ARIA)
  • Visual themes and responsive site design for device adaptation

The internet of the future is quickly becoming more accessible thanks to a focus on responsive design. Making these additional changes will ensure your website is set for years of accessible use.

Accommodating everyone

The key things to keep in mind when adapting your website for accessibility are the types of barriers people with disabilities face. Plan to accommodate senses like sight and sound, as well as motor and cognitive impairments. The bottom line is simple: try to make your website as easy as possible to use, for as many people as possible!

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