Creating an accessible website is not only a legal obligation (for example, under the Disabilities Education Act), but also a responsibility to the user. Accessibility is the key to ensure that every user can access all the features of your website regardless of their specific needs or limitations.
The following recommendations will help you make your website more accessible to everyone:
1. Use clear and informative ALT tags for images. People with visual impairments or slow internet connections may not be able to see images, but ALT tags will help them understand what is depicted.
2. Use a clear heading structure. Headings should be sequential and define the content structure on the page. This will help people with disabilities quickly navigate the page.
3. Ensure keyboard navigation. Many users prefer to navigate websites using a keyboard. Make sure your site is easy to navigate and interact with using just the keyboard.
4. Make links descriptive. Using "Click here" as a link text is uninformative for people using screen readers. Instead, use descriptive texts for links.
5. Use colors wisely. Do not rely solely on color to convey information (e.g., distinguishing links only by color). Colors may be invisible to people with color vision deficiencies.
6. Check contrast. Ensure that there is enough contrast between text and background to make the text easy to read. This is especially important for people with visual impairments.
7. Implement responsive design. Your website should be responsive and adapt to different devices and screen resolutions. This will ensure usability for all users.
8. Provide form hints. Add inline hints to forms to help users fill them out correctly. This can be particularly useful for people with limited reading skills.
9. Test for accessibility. Conduct regular accessibility tests on your website to ensure compliance with standards and requirements.
10. Educate your staff. It is important for all staff working on the website to understand the importance of accessibility and know how to make the site accessible.
Remember, creating an accessible website is a commitment that benefits all users. And, of course, do not forget the main thing - your website should be user-friendly and intuitive for everyone who visits it.