Accessibility for Web Design
Today we are going to talk about the accessibility for Web Design from a really useful handbook — AccessAbility. There are a lot of websites online but not many of them have great accessibilities.
I wouldn’t define accessibility as the design for disabilities, but I would say that if the designer keep the accessibility guidelines in mind, then he / she could design an easy to digest content that everyone could access.
So What is Accessibility Web Design?
According to Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0, it covers a wide range of recommendations for making Web content more accessible.
People with disabilities, (including blindness and low vision, deafness and hearing loss, learning disabilities, cognitive limitations, limited movement, speech disabilities, photosensitivity…) easy to access your web content is the main goal. By following the guideline will also often make your Web content more usable to users in general:)
(WCAG) 2.0 link: https://www.w3.org/WAI/standards-guidelines/wcag
Here are 4 principles for Web Accessibility:
- Perceivable:
For example: people with impairments needs text alternatives (screen reader), or screen magnifiers.
- Provide text alternatives for non-text content.
- Provide captions and other alternatives for multimedia.
- Create content that can be presented in different ways, including by assistive technologies, without losing meaning.
- Make it easier for users to see and hear content.
2. Operable
Keep in mind that the users might not be able to use the certain tools under different situations when browsing the content. Make all the contents available to access through sign language, text description, voice control & all functionality fully accessible from a keyboard.
- Make all functionality available from a keyboard.
- Give users enough time to read and use content.
- Do not use content that causes seizures.
- Help users navigate and find content.
3. Understandable
Make consistent interface for the users to intuitively access.
- Make text readable and understandable.
- Make content appear and operate in predictable ways.
- Help users avoid and correct mistakes.
4.Robust
Ensure it can be interpreted reliably by the widest variety of browsers, devices and assistive technologies. All the content should be accessible through all browsers.
- Maximize compatibility with current and future user tools.
Hope this would help you create great content online. If you want to learn more, please visit this URL: https://www.rgd.ca/database/files/library/RGD_AccessAbility_Handbook.pdf
