Making Your Website Accessible to Everyone
Web accessibility isn’t just a legal consideration—it’s about ensuring your content reaches the widest possible audience, including people with disabilities.
Core Accessibility Principles
1. Perceivable Content
Ensure content can be perceived through multiple senses:
<!-- Bad: Image without alt text -->
<img src="chart.png">
<!-- Good: Image with descriptive alt text -->
<img src="chart.png" alt="Bar chart showing sales growth of 25% in Q4 2023">
<!-- Better: Additional context for complex images -->
<figure>
<img src="chart.png" alt="Bar chart showing quarterly sales growth">
<figcaption>Sales increased by 25% in Q4 2023, outperforming projections by 10%</figcaption>
</figure>
2. Operable Interface
Visitors should be able to navigate using various input methods:
<!-- Bad: Click-only interaction -->
<div onclick="expandMenu()">Menu</div>
<!-- Good: Keyboard accessible with semantic HTML -->
<button onclick="expandMenu()" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="mainMenu">
Menu
</button>
3. Understandable Design
Forms should provide clear instructions and error messages:
<!-- Bad: Ambiguous error -->
<p class="error">Invalid input</p>
<!-- Good: Specific guidance -->
<label for="password">Password (8+ characters with at least one number)</label>
<input type="password" id="password" aria-describedby="pwd-requirements">
<p id="pwd-requirements">Password must contain at least 8 characters including one number</p>
<p id="pwd-error" role="alert" aria-live="assertive">Your password is missing a number</p>
4. Robust Implementation
Ensure compatibility with assistive technologies through proper ARIA usage:
<div role="tablist">
<button id="tab1" role="tab" aria-selected="true" aria-controls="panel1">Features</button>
<button id="tab2" role="tab" aria-selected="false" aria-controls="panel2">Pricing</button>
</div>
<div id="panel1" role="tabpanel" aria-labelledby="tab1">Features content...</div>
<div id="panel2" role="tabpanel" aria-labelledby="tab2" hidden>Pricing content...</div>
Testing Tools
- Automated: Lighthouse, axe, WAVE
- Manual: VoiceOver/NVDA screen readers, keyboard-only navigation
- Color: WebAIM Contrast Checker
Remember that accessibility is an ongoing process—start with these basics and continually improve your site’s inclusivity.