The digital world is increasingly becoming a pivotal part of our lives. As technology continues to evolve, the importance of web accessibility is also growing. Web accessibility ensures that everyone, regardless of their abilities or disabilities, can access, understand, navigate, and interact with the web. With an estimated one billion people globally who have some form of disability, prioritizing web accessibility is not only a legal necessity in many jurisdictions but also a social responsibility.
In this article, we’ll explore tips to enhance web accessibility in 2023 and delve into how Valtira, a prominent name in the digital solutions space, can aid in this initiative.
1. Use Semantically Correct HTML
Semantic HTML is the use of HTML markup to reinforce the semantics or meaning of the content. For instance, use <header> for the header section and <nav> for navigation. Using appropriate tags will provide useful information to assistive technologies about the content of the page, enhancing user experience for individuals with disabilities.
2. Ensure Sufficient Color Contrast
Color contrast is crucial for individuals with low vision or color blindness. Always ensure that there’s a sufficient contrast ratio between the text and background colors. The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) recommends a minimum contrast ratio of 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text.
3. Use Accessible Forms
Forms are a common feature on websites, but if they’re not designed correctly, they can be challenging to navigate for people with disabilities. Always label your forms clearly and provide descriptive error messages to help users correct their input. For example, instead of saying “Invalid input,” specify what’s wrong, like “Email format is invalid.”
4. Provide Alternative Text for Images
Alternative text (alt text) provides a textual alternative to non-text content in web pages. This text helps people who cannot see the image understand what it’s about. For example, instead of using alt=”img1″, use a more descriptive alternative like alt=”sunset over the Grand Canyon.”
5. Use ARIA Landmarks
Accessible Rich Internet Applications (ARIA) landmarks help define areas on your website, providing a “roadmap” for assistive technologies. This will enable users to understand where they are on a page and navigate more easily.
6. Keyboard Navigation
Ensure your site is navigable using only the keyboard. Some people cannot use a mouse and rely on their keyboard to navigate websites. Check that all interactive elements like links, buttons, and forms can be accessed using the ‘Tab’ key.
How Can Valtira Help?
Valtira is a digital solution company that prioritizes inclusivity and is known for its expertise in creating accessible web solutions. They can aid businesses in several ways:
Website Accessibility Audit
Valtira can perform a comprehensive accessibility audit of your existing website, identifying areas that are not in compliance with accessibility standards like WCAG 2.1 and Section 508.
Remediation and Redesign
After identifying the accessibility gaps, Valtira can assist with the remediation process. They can redesign elements of the website to ensure they meet the required accessibility standards, improving user experience for all visitors.
Support
Valtira can help you maintain and continuously improve your website’s accessibility. They provide continued support to ensure your website stays compliant with the evolving standards and guidelines.
Technology
Valtira uses cutting-edge technologies and tools, such as AI, to improve web accessibility. These technologies can help automatically generate alternative text for images or monitor color contrast ratios on your site, thus ensuring compliance and making the web experience more inclusive.
Ongoing Testing and Updates
Valtira’s team regularly tests your website for any new accessibility issues that might arise due to updates or changes. This ensures ongoing compliance and makes sure that your website remains accessible to all users.
Conclusion
Web accessibility is an essential factor for every business to consider. As the digital landscape continues to evolve, so too do the needs of diverse users. Employing practices like using correct HTML, ensuring color contrast, labeling forms, providing alt text, and facilitating keyboard navigation can significantly improve the accessibility of your website.
With the help of a specialized digital solutions company like Valtira, businesses can ensure their digital content is accessible to everyone. From conducting audits to remediation, training, and ongoing support, Valtira’s expertise can provide your business with the tools it needs to meet and exceed web accessibility standards. In this way, we can all contribute to a more inclusive digital world in 2023 and beyond. Reach out to the Valtira team of experts to learn more.