Imagine browsing a website without any images loaded. Does the content make sense if the pictures are missing? Is important information, including text, a part of the image? Or try to visualize how you would understand the text of a website if every headline, sentence, and caption was presented in a singular paragraph. Now picture trying to buy a product online and your mouse or touchscreen doesn’t work. How would you select the size, color, or material?
High color contrast between text and background is critical for creating inclusive and accessible content. Low color contrast can make it difficult for users with visual impairments or color blindness to read content or know where to click on links, limiting their ability to access information.
You can improve the readability of your content by selecting high-contrast colors for text, buttons, and backgrounds. You should also test and understand how different devices and screen types may impact the user experience.
If heading tags are confusing or missing, it can disrupt the logical flow of content. Any inconsistency or incorrect use of heading tags can cause navigation difficulties for screen reader users, disrupting the order of the information, or even skipping important content entirely.
Images with vague or inaccurate descriptive alternative text (also called alt text) make it difficult for users with visual impairments to understand the intended content and meaning. Also, without alt text, screen readers are unable to relay any information about the image. This can impact the user’s understanding of not only the information given in visual form, but also the context of any text that references the image.
It's essential to keep in mind that websites and applications should be navigable without relying on a mouse or touchpad. Users should be able to move through your site with keyboard navigation, as it provides equal access to website interaction. This is especially true for interactions that may be designed specifically for your website, like forms, surveys, or checkout systems.
When designing a website, it's essential to keep in mind that complex navigation structures with an abundance of links can be overwhelming or confusing.
This is particularly true for those who use screen readers or deal with visual processing issues due to neurological differences. By simplifying the navigation and reduce thenumber of links within individual content areas whenever possible, users can find what they are looking for more quickly and easily.
You’re not alone. The online world is plagued with common, easily fixable accessibility issues. If you haven’t yet learned which problems may need your attention, you can get full access to our testing and reporting tools with a free trial. You’ll be able to scan your site for issues, get a customized Accessibility Report, and learn how to quickly solve issues without losing productivity.
Whether you are launching a new website design, planning an outreach campaign, creating a style guide, or updating content, checking for accessibility should be a key step as your project progresses. By understanding some of the most common barriers to digital accessibility, you can permanently eliminate problems at the source, create an enduring and positive customer experience, and unlock access for 1.3 billion people with disabilities worldwide
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