What is Web accessibility?
Web accessibility ensures that websites and digital content can be used by everyone, including people with disabilities.
It involves designing and developing websites that are perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust for all users. Accessibility covers aspects such as readable text, keyboard navigation, color contrast, captions, and screen reader compatibility.
The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) provide international standards that define how to make Web content accessible. Following these rules helps organizations meet legal requirements, improve user experience, and reach a wider audience. Ultimately, Web accessibility isn’t only about compliance—it’s about inclusion, ensuring that everyone, regardless of ability, can interact with and benefit from online content equally.
5 accessibility focus points
The main outlines (but not limited to)...
1. Perceivable Content
Provide text alternatives for non-text content (images, icons, videos).
Ensure captions and transcripts for audio/video.
Use sufficient color contrast for text and background.
Avoid conveying information by color alone.
Make content resizable without loss of functionality or readability.
2. Operable Interface
Ensure keyboard accessibility for all interactive elements.
Provide clear focus indicators for navigation.
Avoid time-limited content or provide extensions/options.
Ensure consistent navigation across pages.
Avoid content that causes seizures (flashing or blinking).
3. Understandable Content
Use clear and simple language.
Ensure consistent layout and labels.
Provide helpful error messages and suggestions.
Avoid unexpected behaviors that confuse users.
Make instructions and input formats clear and predictable.
4. Robust Compatibility
Use semantic HTML (headings, lists, landmarks).
Ensure compatibility with assistive technologies (screen readers, magnifiers).
Avoid relying on unsupported plugins (like Flash and other older technologies).
Validate HTML/CSS for standards compliance.
Test across browsers and devices for consistent behavior.
5. Accessible Multimedia
- Provide audio descriptions for visual content.
- Ensure media controls are keyboard-accessible.
- Allow playback speed adjustments for audio/video.
- Avoid autoplay or provide pause/stop options.
- Provide text alternatives for charts, diagrams, and infographics.
References
- Gouvernement du Québec
Standard sur l’accessibilité des sites Web (SGQRI 008 3.0) (French only) - Gouvernment of Canada
Digital Accessibility Toolkit - W3C Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI)
WCAG 2 Overview
