Your website is often the first impression people have of your organization, whether they’re seeking information or looking to make a purchase. But if your site isn’t accessible, you could be unintentionally excluding members of your audience, especially individuals who are blind or visually impaired.
While website accessibility is a legal requirement under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), it’s also about building trust, inclusion, and equal access. In this blog, we’ll break down why digital accessibility matters, provide practical tips for a user-friendly layout, and outline how to enhance your multimedia and interactive elements to ensure a better experience for all.
Why Accessibility Matters for Blind & Visually Impaired Users
Millions of Americans are blind or have significant vision loss, and this number is expected to continue growing as our population ages. These users rely on adaptive technology to browse the web, including:
- Screen readers, such as JAWS or VoiceOver on Apple devices, convert text and other elements into speech or braille
- Keyboard navigation, which allows users to utilize various keystrokes rather than a mouse
- Screen magnifiers, like Windows Magnifier or ZoomText, to enlarge content and apply color inversion for enhanced visibility
With users who are blind or visually impaired relying on these technologies, your website must adhere to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards and the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). To be ADA compliant, a website should be:
- Navigable
- Designed with sufficient color contrast
- Equipped with alt text for images
- Keyboard-friendly
Beyond legal compliance, accessibility also offers marketing advantages. A well-structured, accessible site can naturally improve your search engine optimization (SEO) by increasing visibility in search rankings and enhancing the user experience, which in turn reduces your bounce rate.
Suppose you’re a federal agency or a federally affiliated organization, such as Outlook Nebraska. In that case, you’re also required to meet the Section 508 standards of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which ensures equal access to digital information for both employees and the public. Fortunately, creating a compliant and inclusive experience often starts with something simple: your website’s layout.
Designing a User-Friendly & Accessible Website Layout
A well-organized website layout is one of the essential foundations for digital accessibility. For users who are blind or visually impaired, especially those navigating with screen readers or keyboards, your site’s structure determines how easily they can find and interact with content. Below are some features to implement.
Use Proper Heading Structure
Organize your content with a clear heading hierarchy (H1 for page titles, H2 for section headings, H3 for sub-sections, etc.). This structure enables screen reader users to quickly scan and navigate your site, just as sighted users do. And don’t forget to be mindful of text spacing.
Incorporate Color Contrast
Ensure there’s enough contrast between your background and text. Light gray on white, for example, can be hard to read. Use contrast checker tools to confirm readability. WCAG requires a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text.
Offer a Responsive Design
While not required, offering the ability to resize text is a valuable accessibility feature, especially when paired with responsive design. It allows users to zoom in or adjust font sizes without breaking your site’s layout or functionality. Responsive design ensures that your content, images, and interactive elements remain consistent and accessible across all devices and screen sizes.
Use Clear, Descriptive Link Text
Providing clear and descriptive links is especially important for calls to action. Long URLs can be confusing and difficult to navigate, especially for users of screen readers. Instead, try using concise text that explains exactly where the link leads. Consistent hyperlink styling, such as underlining or bold formatting, can also help users with low vision more easily identify clickable links.
With your layout in place, the next step is to ensure that visual and interactive elements are equally accessible.
Best Practices for Accessible Multimedia & Interactive Content
While layout and structure are essential to accessibility, the visual content on your website also plays a significant role in creating an inclusive user experience.
Prioritize Alternative Text on Imagery
One of the most important and widely recognized elements of digital accessibility is alternative (alt) text. Alt text is a short description added to images and graphics that provides context for individuals who are blind or visually impaired. It should be brief, specific, and focused on the image’s purpose. It’s also essential to use proper punctuation, such as capitalization and periods.
Incorporate Captions and Transcripts
In addition to providing alt text for images, it’s essential to ensure that multimedia content, such as videos and audio, is also accessible. This is especially important for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing, including those who may have secondary disabilities such as vision loss.
While captions may seem similar to alt text, the key difference lies in their visibility. Alt text is only accessible to screen reader users, whereas captions are visible to all viewers. Captions help display spoken dialogue, identify speakers, and can include sound effects or background noise.
For audio-only content like podcasts or interviews, always include a transcript. Transcripts provide users with the option to read instead of listen, and are particularly useful for screen reader users or individuals who process information more effectively visually. A complete transcript should include speaker identification, time stamps, and more.
When it comes to video content, consider offering audio descriptions, a narration that explains important visual elements to provide context, identifies speakers, and describes visual elements. Audio descriptions are critical for users who are blind, visually impaired, or have a cognitive disability.
By including captions, transcripts, and audio descriptions, you’re ensuring equal access to information while enhancing the user experience for all, regardless of disability or personal preference.
Simplify Forms and Surveys
Avoid using themes with poor color contrast, as it can be difficult for users to read. When creating forms, include a clear title, number each question, label fields, and organize content into labeled sections to help users navigate more easily, especially when forms are longer.
Consider which question types are easiest to complete without a mouse. For example, drop-down options may be less accessible than checkboxes or radio buttons. All forms should be fully navigable using a keyboard, allowing users to move between fields and submit responses without the need for a mouse.
Limit Moving Elements
Avoid unnecessary moving icons or page animations. If movement is essential to your design, always provide a clear and easy way to pause or stop the animation.
If you’re unsure where to start, consider partnering with a web developer experienced in accessibility or exploring online training courses to alleviate the pressure and ensure your site meets current accessibility guidelines.
While tools like WAVE and axe DevTools can provide a general overview of your website’s accessibility, nothing compares to feedback from someone who regularly uses adaptive technology.
At Outlook Enrichment, our trainers can evaluate your site using tools such as screen readers and accessibility features to help identify potential barriers and offer practical recommendations to move your site closer to full accessibility.
Have questions about ADA compliance or how to create a more inclusive digital experience? We’re here to help. Click here to get in touch.
