Web for Everyone: how to make your website accessible to everyone and everywhere

Why Website Accessibility is Important

• Broader Audience Reach: An accessible website is usable by people with various disabilities, significantly expanding your potential customer base.

• Legal Compliance: Many regions require web accessibility by law. Non-compliance can lead to legal repercussions and damage to your brand’s image.

• Improved User Experience: Accessibility improvements often enhance the overall user experience for all visitors, not just those with disabilities.

• Positive Brand Image: Demonstrating a commitment to accessibility reflects positively on your brand, showcasing your values of inclusivity and equality.

• SEO Benefits: Many accessibility practices overlap with SEO best practices, potentially boosting your search engine rankings.

How to Implement Website Accessibility

1. Use Alt Text for Images: Provide descriptive alt text for images, allowing screen readers to describe them to visually impaired users.

2. Ensure Keyboard Navigation: Make sure all functions of your website can be accessed using a keyboard for those unable to use a mouse.

3. Create Transcripts for Audio and Video: Offer text alternatives for multimedia content, aiding those with hearing impairments.

4. Use High Contrast and Legible Fonts: Ensure your text is easy to read for those with visual impairments, using high contrast colors and clear fonts.

5. Accessible Forms: Label form fields clearly and provide error messages that help users correct mistakes.

Making your website accessible is a step towards a more inclusive digital environment. It expands your market, builds a positive brand image, and ensures compliance with legal standards. Start integrating accessibility into your web design today and open your business to a wider, more diverse audience.