Accessible Best Practices for Professionals

In our increasingly digital world, accessible technology is not just a nice-to-have; it’s a necessity. By prioritizing accessibility, we create more inclusive products and services for everyone, including individuals with disabilities. But what are the most effective and practical steps professionals can take to ensure their work is truly accessible, and how can these practices benefit both users and the business?

Understanding Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)

The foundation of web accessibility lies in the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). These internationally recognized standards, developed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), provide a comprehensive framework for making web content more accessible to people with disabilities. WCAG is organized around four core principles, often remembered by the acronym POUR:

• Perceivable: Information and user interface components must be presentable to users in ways they can perceive. This means providing text alternatives for non-text content, offering captions and other alternatives for audio and video content, and ensuring content is adaptable to different ways of viewing (e.g., screen readers, large print).
• Operable: User interface components and navigation must be operable. This includes making all functionality available from a keyboard, giving users enough time to read and use content, and avoiding content that causes seizures.
• Understandable: Information and the operation of the user interface must be understandable. This involves making text readable and understandable, ensuring content appears and operates in predictable ways, and helping users avoid and correct mistakes.
• Robust: Content must be robust enough that it can be interpreted reliably by a wide variety of user agents, including assistive technologies. This means ensuring code is valid and follows web standards.

WCAG has different levels of conformance: A, AA, and AAA. Level A is the most basic level of accessibility, while Level AAA is the most comprehensive. Most organizations aim for Level AA compliance, as it provides a good balance between accessibility and feasibility.

For instance, in my work consulting with e-commerce businesses, I’ve consistently found that sites striving for WCAG 2.1 Level AA compliance experience fewer customer support requests and higher conversion rates from users with disabilities.

Implementing Accessible Design Principles

Accessible design is not just about following guidelines; it’s about creating user experiences that are inherently inclusive. Here are some practical principles to keep in mind:

1. Use semantic HTML: Utilize HTML elements for their intended purpose. For example, use `
   

   ` for main headings, `

   ` for paragraphs, and `

2. Provide alternative text for images: Every image should have descriptive alt text that conveys the image’s content and function to users who cannot see it. If an image is purely decorative, use an empty alt attribute (`alt=””`).
3. Ensure sufficient color contrast: Use tools like the WebAIM Contrast Checker to verify that text and background colors have sufficient contrast. WCAG requires a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text.
4. Design for keyboard navigation: Ensure that all interactive elements can be accessed and operated using a keyboard alone. This is crucial for users who cannot use a mouse. A clear and logical focus order is essential.
5. Use ARIA attributes judiciously: Accessible Rich Internet Applications (ARIA) attributes can be used to enhance the accessibility of dynamic content and complex user interface components. However, use them carefully and only when necessary. Overusing ARIA can actually harm accessibility.
6. Provide clear and concise labels: Form fields and other interactive elements should have clear and concise labels that describe their purpose. Use the `` element to associate labels with form fields.
7. Structure content logically: Use headings, lists, and other structural elements to organize content in a logical and hierarchical manner. This makes it easier for users to navigate and understand the content.
8. Avoid relying solely on color: Do not use color as the only means of conveying information. People with color blindness may not be able to distinguish between certain colors. Provide alternative cues, such as text labels or icons.
9. Provide captions and transcripts for multimedia: All video and audio content should have captions and transcripts. Captions provide a visual representation of the audio content, while transcripts provide a text-based version of the content.
10. Test with assistive technologies: Regularly test your website or application with assistive technologies, such as screen readers, to identify and fix accessibility issues. Popular screen readers include NVDA (free and open-source) and JAWS.

Writing Accessible Content

The accessibility of your content is just as important as the accessibility of your website’s code and design. Here are some tips for creating accessible content:

• Use clear and concise language: Avoid jargon, technical terms, and complex sentence structures. Write in plain language that is easy to understand.
• Provide context: Give users enough context to understand the content. Avoid making assumptions about their prior knowledge.
• Use descriptive link text: Link text should clearly indicate the destination of the link. Avoid generic phrases like “click here.”
• Format content for readability: Use headings, subheadings, lists, and white space to break up large blocks of text and make the content easier to scan.
• Use appropriate heading levels: Use heading levels (
  

  to

  ) in a logical and hierarchical order to structure your content.

• Provide summaries of long or complex content: If you have long or complex content, provide a summary or abstract at the beginning.
• Avoid using flashing or strobing content: Flashing or strobing content can trigger seizures in people with photosensitive epilepsy.

Choosing Accessible Technology Tools

Many technology tools can help you create accessible content and applications. When selecting tools, consider the following:

• Accessibility features: Does the tool have built-in accessibility features, such as support for keyboard navigation, screen readers, and alternative text?
• Accessibility documentation: Does the tool have clear and comprehensive accessibility documentation?
• Accessibility support: Does the vendor provide accessibility support?
• WCAG compliance: Does the tool claim to be WCAG compliant? Be wary of claims that seem too good to be true. Test the tool yourself to verify its accessibility.

Some specific tools that can help with accessibility include:

• Accessibility checkers: These tools automatically scan your website or application for accessibility issues. Examples include WAVE and axe DevTools.
• Color contrast analyzers: These tools help you verify that text and background colors have sufficient contrast.
• Screen readers: These tools allow you to experience your website or application as a blind user would.
• Captioning and transcription tools: These tools help you create captions and transcripts for multimedia content.

According to a 2025 report by the Accessibility Foundation, organizations that actively use accessibility checkers during the development process report a 40% reduction in accessibility-related bugs after launch.

Testing and Maintaining Accessibility

Accessibility is not a one-time fix; it’s an ongoing process. Regularly test and maintain accessibility to ensure that your website or application remains accessible over time.

1. Automated testing: Use automated accessibility checkers to regularly scan your website or application for accessibility issues.
2. Manual testing: Conduct manual testing with assistive technologies, such as screen readers, to identify accessibility issues that automated tools may miss.
3. User testing: Involve users with disabilities in your testing process. They can provide valuable feedback on the accessibility of your website or application.
4. Accessibility audits: Conduct periodic accessibility audits by qualified accessibility experts.
5. Accessibility training: Provide accessibility training to your staff. This will help them understand accessibility principles and best practices.
6. Establish an accessibility policy: Create a formal accessibility policy that outlines your organization’s commitment to accessibility.
7. Monitor accessibility metrics: Track key accessibility metrics, such as the number of accessibility-related bugs reported and the satisfaction of users with disabilities.

By consistently addressing accessibility, you demonstrate a commitment to inclusivity and create a better experience for all users.

Conclusion

Prioritizing accessible technology isn’t just about compliance; it’s about creating a more inclusive and equitable digital world. By understanding WCAG, implementing accessible design principles, writing accessible content, choosing accessible tools, and continuously testing and maintaining accessibility, professionals can make a significant difference. Take the first step today by running an accessibility check on your website or application and identifying areas for improvement. What changes will you implement this week to make your work more accessible?