Discussion on Accessible Websites

To have an accessible website requires more effort than one might expect. It's not just about making sure the site looks good and the links work as intended. To have an accessible website, you need to be aware of the possible disabilities that someone might have.

To have an accessible website also requires you to follow and comply with the guidelines set by Section 508 and WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines).

These guidelines require websites to ensure that the content within their webpages are accessible to those who would have a more difficult time viewing, navigating, accessing, or understanding. The core principles enforced by WCAG are Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, and Robust (POUR).

Examples of adaptations for your website include:

• Color Contrast Ratio of 4.5:1 - Ensures that info is easy to perceive, and that the text vs. the background isn't too similar in color. Complimentary colors work great.


• Alternative Text for Images - If one cannot view an image or uses a screen reader, having alt text that properly describes the images on the page is very important.


• Keyboard Accessible - User can navigate the website without need of a mouse.


• Simple Text - While circumstances vary depending on the content of a page, it's important to ensure that all readers can understand what is being conveyed through text. Try not to over-complicate things and confuse users.


• Screen Reader Accessible - The majority of users with disabilities often require screen readers to navigate a website. Make sure any and all links, buttons, navigation bars, text, etc. can be read by a screen reader. Specific aspects of websites such as tables and forms require labels and summaries within the code that can be described by a screen reader.

There are many different ways to ensure that your website is accessible to any and all users. To try and list them all would be... improbable, but at the end of the day, you should strive to make your website follow as many guidelines as you can.