IS YOUR WEBSITE ACCESSIBLE?

Apr 9

The internet.

We can’t live without it, right? It’s what keeps us connected, informed and our businesses running.
You know how important having a quality website is to the health and success of your business.

But here’s something you may not have considered.

Is your website universally accessible?

Website accessibility is measured by how usable your site is for people with disabilities or those otherwise impaired from using certain site functions.

Did you know that as a site owner,
you are under an ethical and legal obligation to meet certain accessibility requirements?

The WCAG framework is a set of guidelines governing the usability of websites for all users regardless of visual, auditory, or mobility impairments.

To make this framework really simple, you can use the acronym POUR.

P- PERCEIVABLE
O- OPERABLE
U- UNDERSTANDABLE
R- ROBUST

Your site content should be:

Perceivable: all site content should be perceivable to all of a site users senses

Operable: navigable and usable for users regardless of ability

Understandable: all site elements clear and easy to follow

Robust: your content should be able to withstand technological updates without causing problems

So, you’ve got the acronym down. But how do you actually apply it?
There are several ways that you can improve site accessibility, but here are a few things to consider:

-Including accurate closed captioning for all auditory elements.

-Having alternative text for images for those with visual impairments.

-Considering appropriate color contrast ratios to make content easier to read.

-Clean, simple site code with clear copy.

-Allowing for keyboard input across all site functions (no mouse usage required).

Having good website accessibility doesn’t only benefit site users with disabilities.
It also improves the experiences for users who may be on a mobile device, have changing abilities because of aging, or aren’t in a place to access all the elements of a site, like audio.

Following WCAG guidelines makes for a better experience for you and for all of your site users.

Okay, I know that might sound like a lot. Maybe you’ve already started planning your website, and now you feel like I’ve just added a whole lot to your already full to-do list. But there’s no need to feel overwhelmed! Accessibility can feel like a daunting task at first, but as a web designer I’m here to take all the headache out of creating your WCAG compliant site. It’s my job to know the guidelines so you can focus on the important stuff: curating a gorgeous brand and setting up the perfect business. You have something amazing to offer the world, my friend. I’m just here to create the platform that elevates it.