Tips to keep your website accessible to all!

Posted Date: 02/02/2021

Your website is an increasingly important resource in many aspects of life, education, family, students, employment, recreation, and more. It is essential that your website be accessible to provide equal access and equal opportunity to those with disabilities. In addition, an accessible website can also help people with disabilities more actively participate in your community.​

Website Technology offers unprecedented access to information and interaction for many people with disabilities. The common barriers to print and interact with audio and visual media can now be a thing of the past with your help. ​

How are individuals with disabilities able to use websites and related online technology?

Below are some examples of the types of tools that can be used:

• Screen Reader (vision and cognitive)
• Refreshable Braille Display (vision)
• Screen Magnifiers (low vision)
• Voice Recognition Software (mobility impairment)
• Keyboard (most people with disabilities)
• Closed Captions (hearing and cognitive)
• Hearing Aids (hearing)
• Word Prediction Software

Most of these tools are ADA settings built within the HTML code of your web host provider. The challenge comes when content, pictures, and links get added to the web pages after the initial hand off. Here are a few things to keep in mind when creating pages. 

What elements make a website accessible? 

• Choose a content management system that supports accessibility
• Use headings correctly to organize the structure of your content
• Include proper alt text for images
• Give your links unique and descriptive names
• Use color with care
• Design your forms for accessibility
• Use tables for tabular data, not for layout
• Ensure that all content can be accessed with the keyboard alone in a logical way
• Use ARIA roles and landmarks
• Make dynamic content accessible

Remember, it is required to be accessible! Visit www.gabbart.com/cosa for a detailed report regarding Website Accessibility Under the ADA and Section 504.

For a deeper dive into what tools are available, Join our FREE webinar. Tues, November 17^th at 10:00 AM CST