Website accessibility comes with several benefits. As a result, it’s worth every effort to ensure everyone can independently access and use the information on your site regardless of their physical orientation. You can either do this manually or use a free or premium website accessibility checker.
The ADA doesn’t provide any official guidelines on how to be compliant. This, according to AudioEye, is a result of the timing of ADA enactment, which came a year before the use of the first HTML, and almost a decade earlier than massive internet usage.
However, the US Department of Justice provides specific WCAG standards that your website should match for compliance. Here are some ways to test.
- Check for Keyboard Navigation and Operations
Sometimes users on your website may prefer to navigate using the keyboard and other input options instead of the mouse due to inability or out of will.
Whichever way, your site should provide all functionalities they are looking for with ease. Check out every feature, link, and control accessible through the mouse remain functional with the keyboard.
You can test by pressing the Tab button to move your page forward and Tab + Shift to move backward. While doing so, ensure that the focus ring moves with you, as the user ought to know what they’re clicking and whether to select.
- Use A Testing Tool
You can opt for a premium or free tool, depending on what fits your needs. Each of these tools operates differently, but all present your website’s analysis regarding accessibility, compliance, and functionality.
Similarly, these automated tools are typically easy to use. You key in your website’s URL to the section provided, and it automatically analyses your site. After that, the tool delivers results with your compliance percentage and suggestions on improving the outcomes.
- Check out for Text Alts, and Accessibility for Assistive Devices
Ensure that all your videos, images, and other non-text content have a text alternative for anyone who has a problem hearing or wants to use your site in a quiet environment.
You can also use screen readers to test how it will feel for those with vision impairment. While doing so, ensure that your website enables proper readouts, co popup handlings, image descriptions, title hierarchy, and field descriptions and authentications.
- Does Your Site Offer Quality Content on Zooming?
According to the WCAG, a site’s content should work well even after zooming up to 200%. You can try this by zooming the screen to 200% and monitoring how the content and layout behave.
Check if elements of the website overlap or disappear if the page allows you to perform all tasks smoothly with the keyboard and mouse and if menus and other features maintain their functionality.
- Consider Closed Captions and Video Transcripts
Captions and transcripts are essential parts of your video content. Ensure that they provide valuable information, have relevant sounds, plus other contextual elements you need to get the complete feeling and purpose of the content.
Search for a button or option for turning on closed captions on your video player. Confirm if the button functions with your keyboard and mouse. Similarly, check if a text version of the video is available.
Website accessibility helps you grow your business’s reach and protects you from losing money to endless ADA lawsuits. Consider running your website through an accessibility test, either personally, or hire an expert to help you.
