Website Accessibility Checklist
Ensuring your website is accessible to everyone, including those with disabilities, is not just a legal requirement under the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) but also an essential practice for creating an inclusive online environment. Here is a comprehensive checklist to help you make your website more accessible:
1. Alt Text
Why It Matters: Alt text (alternative text) describes images for those who use screen readers due to visual impairments.
Checklist:
- Provide descriptive alt text for all images.
- Ensure the alt text conveys the same information as the image.
- Use empty alt attributes (alt="") for decorative images to skip them in screen readers.
2. Color Contrast
Why It Matters: Adequate color contrast ensures that text is readable for users with visual impairments, including color blindness.
Checklist:
- Check the contrast ratio between text and background colors.
- Aim for a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text.
- Use online tools to test color contrast, such as the WebAIM contrast checker.
3. Skip to Main Content Button
Why It Matters: This feature allows users with screen readers or keyboard navigation to bypass repetitive navigation links and go directly to the main content.
Checklist:
- Include a “Skip to Main Content” link at the top of your webpages.
- Ensure the link is visible when focused on (e.g., when tabbing through the page).
4. Heading Hierarchy
Why It Matters: A proper heading structure helps screen readers understand the content's organization and improves navigation.
Checklist:
- Use HTML headings (H1, H2, H3, etc.) to create a clear, logical structure.
- Ensure that headings are used sequentially (e.g., H1 for the main title, H2 for subsections).
- Avoid skipping heading levels (e.g., going directly from H1 to H3).
5. ARIA for Form Fields
Why It Matters: ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) attributes improve the accessibility of dynamic content and complex user interfaces. These relay information to screen-readers that get passed along to the user.
Checklist:
- Use `aria-label` to provide a clear label for form fields.
- Use `aria-required` to indicate which form fields are mandatory.
- Ensure that ARIA labels are descriptive and informative.
6. ARIA for Links Opening New Tabs
Why It Matters: Informing users that a link will open in a new tab or window helps prevent confusion and improves the user experience.
Checklist:
- Use `aria-label` to notify users when a link opens in a new tab (e.g., `aria-label="Opens in a new tab"`).
- Ensure the label is clear and concise.
7. Keyboard Navigation with Highlighted Focus
Why It Matters: Users with mobility impairments often rely on keyboard navigation to interact with web content.
Checklist:
- Ensure all interactive elements (links, buttons, form fields) can be navigated using the keyboard.
- Use CSS to provide a visible focus indicator (e.g., a highlighted box) when elements are navigated using the keyboard.
- Test your website by navigating through it using only the keyboard (Tab, Enter, and arrow keys).
By following this checklist, you can significantly enhance your website's accessibility, ensuring it is usable for all visitors, including those with disabilities. Not only does this align with ADA compliance, but it also promotes a more inclusive digital environment.