Creating an accessible website involves applying a set of best practices throughout the design and development process. Adhering to these practices will help you meet WCAG standards and create a better experience for all users.
Key Best Practices:
- Use Proper Heading Structure: Organize your content with a logical heading hierarchy (H1, H2, H3, etc.). Use only one H1 per page and don’t skip heading levels. This helps screen reader users understand the structure of the page and navigate it easily.
- Write Descriptive Alt Text for Images: All informative images must have alternative text (alt text) that describes their content or function. For decorative images, use an empty alt attribute (alt=””) so screen readers can ignore them.
- Ensure Sufficient Color Contrast: Text should have a high contrast ratio against its background to be readable for people with low vision or color blindness. Use online contrast checkers to verify your color choices meet WCAG AA standards.
- Design for Keyboard Navigation: Ensure all interactive elements—links, buttons, form fields—can be accessed and operated using only the Tab key. The focus order should be logical and predictable, and a visible focus indicator must be present.
- Make Link Text Descriptive: Avoid generic link text like “Click Here” or “Read More.” The link text should clearly describe where the link will take the user, even when read out of context. For example, “Read more about our Q3 financial results.”
- Design Accessible Forms: Label all form fields clearly and associate them programmatically with their respective inputs. Provide clear instructions and error messages that help users understand and correct mistakes.
- Provide Controls for Motion and Animations: Avoid auto-playing video, carousels, or animations. If you must use them, provide clear pause, stop, or hide controls for users who may be distracted or physically affected by motion.
