Accessibility is a crucial aspect that is often overlooked in website and app development. Ensuring your website or app is accessible to people with disabilities is important so that all users can have a positive and efficient experience .
In addition to being an ethical and inclusion issue, accessibility is also a legal requirement in many countries , including Brazil with the Brazilian Inclusion Law (LBI). In this article, we will discuss best practices for making your website or application accessible.
Types of Disability
It's important to understand the different types of disabilities in order to create truly inclusive solutions:
Visual
Blindness, low vision, color blindness
Auditory
Partial or total deafness
Motor
Reduced mobility, tremors
Cognitive
Dyslexia, ADHD, autism
Essential Accessibility Practices
1. Alternative Text in Images
Images are an important part of any website, but they can be inaccessible to people with visual impairments. It is recommended to use alternative text (alt text) for all images, allowing users to understand the content through a textual description.
Alternative text is also useful for users with slow connections, as it allows them to understand the content without having to load the image.
2. Clear Heading Structure
A clear heading structure helps visually impaired users navigate the content. Use HTML headings (H1, H2, H3, etc.) to organize the content and avoid using them purely for stylistic purposes.
Users with visual impairments utilize screen readers that read the content aloud, and the proper use of headings helps them navigate the site more easily.
3. Suitable Contrasting Colors
Using appropriate color contrast is important for users with visual impairments or color blindness. Ensure that text and images have sufficient contrast to be easily distinguishable.
It is recommended to use contrasting colors for text and background, and to avoid using color as the sole means of conveying important information (also use icons, text, or patterns).
4. Subtitles and Audio Description in Videos
Videos are a great way to convey information, but they can be inaccessible to people with hearing or visual impairments. Using captioning and audio description features is recommended .
The captioning displays the text of the dialogue for users with hearing impairments. The audio description is an additional narration that describes the images and actions for users with visual impairments.
5. Testing with Real Users
The best way to ensure your website is accessible is by testing it with users with disabilities . It is recommended to hire specialized professionals or work with organizations to test your website.
This will allow us to identify and correct accessibility issues that may go unnoticed in automated testing.
"The power of the Web lies in its universality. Access for everyone, regardless of disability, is an essential aspect."
— Tim Berners-Lee, inventor of the World Wide Web
WCAG Guidelines
WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) are the international guidelines for web accessibility. They define three levels of compliance:
WCAG Compliance Levels
Basic Level
Minimum accessibility requirement
Recommended Level
Standard for most website
Advanced Level
Maximum possible accessibility
Accessibility Checklist
Use this list to check the accessibility of your website or app:
All images have descriptive and relevant alternative text.
Hierarchical and logical header structure (H1 → H2 → H3)
Minimum color contrast of 4.5:1 for normal text
Functional keyboard navigation across all interactive elements.
Videos with subtitle and/or transcripts available.
Forms with label correctly associated with the fields.
Links with descriptive text (avoid "click here")
Focusable element with visual focus indicator.
Text resizable up to 200% without loss of functionality.
ARIA label on interactive elements when necessary.
Do you need to make your website more accessible?
WD Seven develops websites and applications with accessibility as a priority.
Speak with Our ExpertsBenefits of Accessibility
Investing in accessibility brings benefits that go beyond inclusion:
- Expanding the audience: Reach more users, including seniors and people with temporary disabilities.
- Improved SEO: Accessible websites are better indexed by search engines.
- Legal compliance: Avoid lawsuits for non-compliance with accessibility laws.
- Better UX for everyone: Accessibility practices improve the experience for all users.
- Brand reputation: Demonstrate social responsibility and inclusion.
- Innovation: Creative constraints lead to smarter solutions.
Conclusion
Ensuring the accessibility of your website or application is an important responsibility for developers and owners. Making your website accessible not only improves the user experience, but is also a legal requirement in many countries.
By following the tips in this article, you can help ensure your website or app is accessible to everyone. Remember to keep up with changes to best practices and WCAG guidelines to ensure your site remains accessible in the future.
Summary: 5 Essential Practices
1. Alternative text in images → 2. Clear heading structure → 3. Appropriate color contrast → 4. Captions in videos → 5. Testing with real users. Start with these practices and evolve to WCAG AA compliance.
