3 Free Ways To Improve Your Website’s Accessibility
Let’s dive deeper into the important topic of website accessibility, and talk about 3 super easy (and free) ways you can improve your site! As web designers and business owners, we understand that accessibility isn’t just an “add-on” feature to consider later. It’s something that should be baked into the foundation of every website. In this post, I’ll share three simple, free ways to make your website more accessible—whether you’re a designer just beginning to incorporate accessibility into your projects or a small business owner trying to make your site more inclusive.
Creating an accessible website ensures that everyone, regardless of their abilities or disabilities, can use and navigate your content easily. Let’s get started with some simple yet powerful accessibility features you can implement!
1. Alt-Text on Images
What is Alt-Text and Why Does It Matter?
Alt text (alternative text) is a written description that you attach to an image on your website. It’s a description of the image content, allowing people who use screen readers to understand the image and any context that comes along with it!The importance of alt-text cannot be overstated, as it makes your website usable for those with visual impairments, including blindness or low vision.
Beyond accessibility, alt text also contributes to SEO. It’s a chance to provide detailed information about your site’s pictures, which can help search engines understand the context of your content. But at the end of the day, the primary goal of alt text is to provide a description that aids users who may not be able to see the image.
How to Write Effective Alt Text
Writing good alt text requires a balance between accuracy and conciseness. Here are a few tips to help you write alt text that benefits both accessibility and SEO:
Be descriptive: Provide a detailed description of the image. For example, instead of just saying “dog,” describe the dog’s breed, size, colour, and what it’s doing.
Be concise but clear: Alt text should be short—generally under 125 characters—but still give enough detail.
Skip decorative images: If the image doesn’t convey any meaningful information (like background images, icons, or decorative elements), you can leave the alt text empty.
Alt text ensures that users who rely on screen readers can still access the information on your website. It’s a simple yet powerful tool that goes a long way toward improving the accessibility of your site.
2. Contrast Checks (Background Colours and Text Colours)
Why Colour Contrast Matters
Good colour contrast is so important to website accessibility. Text that blends into its background can make it nearly impossible for some users, especially those with colour blindness or other impairments, to read and navigate your website. We want to make sure that anyone who wants to view your website is able to!
Making sure there is enough contrast between text and background colours also helps the overall look of your website, and should be a standard practice not just for websites, but for graphics and designs in general!
How to Check Colour Contrast
To make sure your colour choices are accessible, it’s important to use a contrast checker to test whether your text and background combinations meet the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) standards. The recommended contrast ratio for regular text is at least 4.5:1, and for large text (18px and up), the ratio should be at least 3:1.
A great tool for this is the WebAIM Contrast Checker. This free tool allows you to input colour codes for both your text and background, and it will tell you whether the contrast ratio is sufficient.
Here’s how to use this easy online tool!
Enter the hex codes for your background and text colours. For example, if your background is #FFFFFF (white) and your text is #333333 (dark gray), enter these codes into the tool.
Check the contrast ratio. The tool will show you the ratio and whether it passes WCAG 2.0 guidelines for different options, such as large text, small text, and more!
If your colour scheme doesn’t pass the contrast test, try adjusting the shades or using different combinations that offer better readability.
Tips for Choosing Accessible Colour Schemes
Here are some more tips to help you choose colours that enhance accessibility!
Use high-contrast colours for text: For example, black text on a white background is one of the most readable combinations.
Avoid using colour as the only means of conveying information: People with color blindness may have trouble distinguishing information presented solely through color. Use icons, labels, or patterns in addition to colour to convey key messages.
Test your website with real users: If possible, get feedback from people with visual impairments or use accessibility tools to simulate how your website looks to them.
3. Use An Accessibility Widget
What is an Accessibility Widget?
An accessibility widget is a tool that can be added to your website to provide users with a range of accessibility options. These widgets typically appear as a small icon or button on your website, and when clicked, they open up a menu that allows users to adjust various elements of the site for a more accessible experience.
Accessibility widgets are particularly helpful for individuals who need to customize their website experience based on their specific needs. For example, someone with dyslexia might benefit from a font change, while someone with low vision could adjust the contrast or font size.
Benefits of Adding an Accessibility Widget
An accessibility widget can add so much to your website! Here are a few great benefits:
Personalization: Visitors can adjust the website according to their individual needs (e.g., text size, contrast, font type).
Easy-to-use: The widget provides a user-friendly interface for accessing these options, often with just a single click.
Legal compliance: In some regions, ensuring your website meets accessibility standards is not just best practice, but a legal requirement. An accessibility widget helps you stay in compliance.
Recommended Accessibility Widgets
There are several free and easy-to-install widgets available for various website platforms. Here are some of my favorites:
OneClick Accessibility for WordPress: This plugin allows you to add a floating accessibility menu to your WordPress site. Users can adjust the font size, contrast, and even enable a screen reader.
UserWay for Squarespace, WordPress, and other platforms: UserWay’s accessibility widget offers a range of features, including text size adjustments, colour contrast options, and keyboard navigation support. It’s easy to integrate with most modern website builders.
Both of these options are free to use and simple to install, offering instant improvements to your website’s accessibility.
Making your website more accessible is a crucial step toward creating an inclusive, user-friendly online experience. By adding these three free strategies—adding alt text to images, checking color contrast, and incorporating an accessibility widget—you can enhance your site’s usability for people with a range of disabilities, making it easier for everyone to engage with your content.
Not only will these changes improve the user experience for individuals with disabilities, but they will also help you meet accessibility guidelines and legal requirements, ensuring your website reaches a wider audience.
We always say, we want to make sure that anyone who wants to view your website is able to view your website!
Have any questions about accessibility for your website? Book a Website Workshop with us where we can chat 1-on-1 about accessibility & more website topics!
