When you create a website you want as many people as possible to be able to access the information and services your provide. That means thinking about the different kind of barriers some people might face when using the web. Some people have physical barriers, for example they can’t use a mouse, and others may have a visual or hearing impairment. Sometimes users have to employ assistive technologies like screen readers or different kinds of keyboards.
How can I keep my website accessible?
We have considered accessibility at every stage in designing your website. We have most of it covered. However, as you add content yourself there are a few things you need to remember to do:
- Provide alternative text for images that can act as a replacement for the image, conveying its sense and meaning rather than just describing its content. This should also be done for images that contain text.
- There should be alternative ways of accessing the content of audio and video, these may include: audio descriptions, captions, transcripts and sign language.
- When creating a table use the table summary, caption and header tags so assistive technologies can interpret the information and understand the relationship between different elements.
- Present information in a meaningful sequence. A sequence is meaningful if the order of content in the sequence cannot be changed without affecting its meaning. Paragraphs, tables and ordered lists are examples of meaningful sequences.
- Web pages should not contain anything that flashes more than three times in any one second as this may cause seizures.
- Use images, illustrations, video, audio, or symbols to clarify meaning.
- Links should make sense when read out of context, e.g hyperlink a meaningful word in the sentence rather than using terms like ‘click here‘.
- Headings and sub-headings should be used to organize the content – headings should be clear and concise with the structure of the information reflected in the structure of the headings.
- Using the clearest and simplest language appropriate for the content.
- Avoid centrally aligned text and justification.
- Don’t use words that don’t add any further meaning to the sentence.
- Don’t use complicated words or phrases where simpler ones can be used without losing meaning.
- If using abbreviations, unusual words, jargon or idioms, provide a definition e.g. Accessibility (ensuring web content can be accessed by everyone)
Last modified: July 17, 2009