So far, we've explored the "why" and "how" of website accessibility. Now, let's equip you with the tools and resources you need to put that knowledge into action and make your website accessible.
Evaluating Your Website's Accessibility
Before diving into specific tools, it's important to understand how to evaluate your website's current level of accessibility. There are several approaches you can take:
- Manual Testing: This involves manually checking your website for accessibility issues using a checklist and your own observations.
- Automated Testing: Automated accessibility testing tools can quickly scan your website and identify potential issues. (accessiBe is one such tool that can be easily implemented on your website; we use it ourselves!) These tools provide an actionable starting point that serves as the foundation for updating or adjusting your website's accessibility.
- User Testing: In-person user testing can offer invaluable insights. If the opportunity presents itself, this testing can provide a deeper understanding of how people with different abilities experience your website.
Assistive Technologies
Assistive technologies are software or hardware that people of different abilities use to interact with websites and other digital content. Familiarizing yourself with these technologies can help you understand how a broader spectrum of people experience your website while identifying potential accessibility barriers. Some common assistive technologies include:
- Screen Readers: These tools read aloud the content of the screen for users who are blind or have low vision.
- Screen Magnifiers: These tools enlarge portions of the screen for users with low vision.
- Voice Recognition Software: This allows users to control their computer with their voice, which can be helpful for people with motor impairments.
- Alternative Input Devices: These include devices like joysticks, trackballs, and head wands that can be used to control the computer instead of a mouse.
Guidelines and Standards
The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) are the internationally recognized standards for website accessibility. They provide a comprehensive set of technical requirements for making web content accessible to people with disabilities. The WCAG are organized into three levels of conformance: A (lowest), AA, and AAA (highest). Most organizations aim for WCAG 2.1 Level AA conformance, which is considered the industry standard.
In addition to the WCAG, there are other guidelines and standards that can be helpful for website accessibility:
- Accessible Rich Internet Applications (ARIA): ARIA is a set of attributes that can be added to HTML to provide additional information to assistive technologies. This can be helpful for making dynamic content and interactive elements more accessible.
- Section 508: This is a U.S. law that requires federal agencies to make their electronic and information technology accessible to people with disabilities.
Other Helpful Resources
There are many resources available online to help you make your website more accessible. These include:
- W3C: The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) offers a wealth of information on web accessibility, including the WCAG guidelines, tutorials, and other resources.
- AccessibilityOz: AccessibilityOz provides a range of accessibility services, including audits, training, and consulting.
- Deque Systems: Deque Systems offers a variety of accessibility tools and services, including axe, a popular automated testing tool.
Partnering with Blue Ocean Interactive Marketing
Blue Ocean Interactive Marketing is passionate about website accessibility. Our team of experts can help you make your website design inclusive and compliant with the latest standards. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you achieve your accessibility goals.
Making your website accessible is an investment in your users, your brand, and your business. By utilizing the tools and resources mentioned above and embracing a commitment to inclusivity, you can create a website that welcomes everyone.
Ready to see how your website stacks up? Try our free website accessibility tool today for a quick and easy assessment!
