What Are the Best Practices for Creating Accessible Websites for UK Businesses?
With the rise of digital technology, websites have become the main avenue for businesses to engage with customers, sell products, and build their brand. But, it’s essential that these websites are accessible to everyone, including people with disabilities. This is where the concept of web accessibility comes in, ensuring that everyone can use and interact with online content.
Web accessibility means designing and developing websites, software, and digital tools that people with disabilities can use just as effectively as those without. In the UK, following the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) is not just about corporate social responsibility, it’s a legal requirement under the Equality Act of 2010.
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Understanding Web Accessibility Basics
Web accessibility revolves around the principle that all users, regardless of their abilities, should be able to access and understand digital content. This includes people with visual, auditory, cognitive, and motor impairments. This section will provide a basic understanding of what web accessibility entails.
In essence, web accessibility means that a website should be designed and coded so that people with disabilities can use them. This includes ensuring that all text content is readable and understandable, that the contrast between text and background is sufficient, and that the website is fully navigable via keyboard for those who can’t use a mouse.
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It also means ensuring that the website is mobile-friendly and adaptable to different screen sizes, as many people with disabilities may use smartphones or tablets with assistive technologies.
Adhering to Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)
The WCAG is a set of recommendations for making web content more accessible to people with disabilities. Developed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), these guidelines have been adopted internationally and provide a solid foundation for implementing accessibility best practices.
The guidelines consist of 12 principles grouped under four key areas: perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust (POUR). From these fundamentals, WCAG outlines specific techniques and criteria to make web content more accessible.
For instance, text should be perceivable, meaning it should not rely on colour alone to convey information. Contrast ratios should be high enough for people with visual impairments to perceive the information. The website should also be operable, meaning all functionality should be available through a keyboard for those who cannot use a mouse.
Incorporating Inclusive Design Principles
Inclusive design is a methodology that enables and draws on the full range of human diversity. This concept suggests that when a website is designed to be used by the widest range of people possible, it becomes more accessible to everyone, not just people with disabilities.
Inclusive design involves considering the full range of human abilities, preferences, and needs during the design process. It means ensuring that the website is flexible, and can adapt to meet different user needs, preferences, and situations.
For example, using large, easy-to-read text benefits not just users with visual impairments, but also those with cognitive disabilities or the elderly. The aim is to create a user experience that is easy, efficient, and satisfying for everyone.
Using Accessible Web Development Techniques
Web developers play a crucial role in creating accessible websites. They need to use techniques like semantic HTML, ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) roles, and CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) to create websites that are usable by all.
Semantic HTML involves using HTML code to reinforce the meaning of content on a web page, which helps screen readers and other assistive technologies understand the content. ARIA roles give instructions to assistive technologies about how to handle each element on the page. Using CSS, developers can control the presentation and layout of the website, making it easier for users to understand and navigate.
Testing for Accessibility
Testing is a vital part of ensuring that a website is accessible. This involves checking each part of the website to see how it performs in different scenarios and with different assistive technologies.
Accessibility testing can involve automated testing with tools that check for common accessibility issues, as well as manual testing, where testers use the website in the same way a user with a disability would. This includes using only the keyboard to navigate, or using screen readers to access the content.
In addition, it’s beneficial to involve users with disabilities in the testing process. This type of user testing can provide invaluable insights into how accessible a website truly is. After testing, any identified issues should be addressed, and the website retested, to ensure it meets all accessibility standards.
The Importance of Accessibility Statements and Policies
Having a clear and comprehensive accessibility statement is a crucial aspect of web accessibility. This document should communicate the organisation’s commitment to accessibility, provide information about the accessibility features and standards that have been implemented, and give details on how users can provide feedback or request further accommodations.
The public sector in the UK is legally obligated to have an accessibility statement under the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) Accessibility Regulations 2018. However, it’s a good practice for all businesses to have one, as it demonstrates a commitment to digital accessibility and can serve as a useful resource for users with disabilities.
The accessibility statement should detail how the organisation has met the WCAG guidelines, any known accessibility issues that are being addressed, and how users can report accessibility problems or request information in an accessible format. It should be easy to find, typically in the footer of the website, and should be written in clear, simple language.
In addition to an accessibility statement, it’s recommended that organisations have an accessibility policy in place. This policy should outline the company’s commitment to web accessibility, the standards they aim to meet, and the strategies and actions they will undertake to achieve and maintain these standards.
Enhancing Accessibility on Social Media Platforms
In today’s digital age, social media has become an integral part of online business strategies. However, these platforms also need to be accessible to ensure everyone can engage with the content. There are several practices that businesses can adopt to make their social media content more accessible.
For images and videos, provide alt text or captions. Alt text describes the content of an image for individuals who cannot see it, while captions make video content accessible to those who are deaf or hard of hearing. It’s also essential to ensure that any links shared on social media are accessible and lead to accessible websites.
The use of emoji and hashtags can also present challenges for screen readers. To make these elements more accessible, avoid using too many emojis and always capitalise the first letter of each word in a hashtag (for example, #WebAccessibility).
Make sure to test your social media content for accessibility, just as you would with your website content. There are several tools available that can help identify any potential issues, ensuring that your social media presence is as inclusive as possible.
Conclusion
In conclusion, creating an accessible website is a necessary practice for all businesses, not just those in the public sector. It not only ensures compliance with legal requirements in the UK but also significantly improves the user experience for all visitors, including people with disabilities.
By understanding and implementing the principles of web accessibility, businesses can create a more inclusive digital environment. This includes adhering to the WCAG guidelines, incorporating inclusive design principles, using accessible web development techniques, testing for accessibility, having a clear accessibility statement and policy, and ensuring that social media content is accessible.
Remember, web accessibility is an ongoing process that requires regular testing and updates to meet evolving accessibility standards and best practices. By committing to this process, businesses can ensure their digital content is accessible to all, enhancing their brand reputation and reaching a wider audience.