Accessibility in Web Design: Best Practices for Inclusive Websites

So, you’ve decided to dive into the vast, exciting (and a bit nerve-racking) ocean of web design. You have taken your brave leap into the unknown and are ready to tackle everything from HTML, PHP, CSS, to JS and WordPress. But wait, there’s one more thing to consider – Accessibility.
“Hold on,” you might say, “I’m not creating a website for people with disabilities!” That is as far from the truth as the belief that the Earth is flat. Accessibility in web design is about ensuring your creations can be properly used and enjoyed by everyone, of all abilities. And here are some of the best practices to help you create more inclusive websites.

Universal Design Principles

Most accessibility measures you can implement boil down to a few simple rules. If you’d like to delight all visitors, aim for simplicity, clarity, and consistency. Keep in mind, your grandparents should be able to navigate your site as easily as your tech-savvy friends.

Mind Your Colors

Your website’s color palette might look like the impressive canvas of a modern painting. Yet, if it confuses users or makes the text illegible to the visually impaired, you are doing no one any good. Instead, choose a high-contrast color scheme that’s easy on the eyes. And remember, black and white never went out of vogue. They’re like the little black dress or classic wingtips of web design.

Size (and Scale) Matters

Of course, we are talking in the context of typography. Tiny, squished fonts may look cute, but they’re a big no-no. Instead, use a font size of at least 16px for body text, and scale up for headers and subheaders. Also, don’t forget to allow users to resize the text according to their needs.

Deploy Alternative Text Descriptions

“An image is worth a thousand words”, but everyone should have access to those words, shouldn’t they? When adding visuals, provide alternative text descriptions (alt text). This helps visually impaired users interpret the content with the help of screen readers. And there’s a bonus: it improves your SEO markings too.

Keep it Keyboard-Friendly

For various reasons, not everyone can use a mouse. So, ensure that your website can be navigated using keyboard alone, primarily through the use of the “Tab” key.

Make Audio and Video Accessible

Just as with images, audio and video should also be accessible. Provide closed captions, transcripts, and audio descriptions where appropriate, especially in tutorials or lessons. Who knows, some enthusiastic coder might be learning JavaScript in sign Language!

Validate Your Accessibility Efforts

After doing all the hard work, don’t forget to perform accessibility checks to ensure that your website meets the accessibility standards. There are numerous automated tools available, but remember, nothing beats the human touch (or in this case, eye or ear).
As a budding web designer, implementing accessibility best practices will not only make your website inclusive but also enhance its usability and SEO rankings. Thus, ensuring everyone can enjoy your digital masterpiece. Plus, it prevents your site from becoming the virtual equivalent of a modern art installation that only a few understand.
And remember, in the world of web development, everyone’s invited to the party, and accessibility is your way of being a great host! So step aside Captain America, there is a new hero in town – The Accessible Web Developer!