Technology

Common Mistakes When Building an Accessible Website

Do you want to have as many people visit your website as possible? If so, you need to make sure it is accessible to everyone. This includes individuals who may have been diagnosed with a disability. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, you need to make a reasonable effort to ensure individuals with disabilities can access your website. Unfortunately, there are some people who make mistakes when building a website, and it could make it difficult for them to ensure the website is accessible to everyone. Take a look at a few mistakes you need to avoid, and don’t forget to use a tool such as accessiBe that can help you.

1. Not Testing the Website on Multiple Platforms

One of the most common mistakes people make when they build a website is not testing the website to make sure it works well on multiple platforms. There are people who will use a variety of devices to access your website. For example, some people might use cell phones, while other people might use a desktop computer. Just because an element works well on one platform doesn’t mean it is going to work well on another platform. Make sure you test the website on all devices to make sure it works well on every possible portal.

2. Not Asking People With Disabilities To Use the Site First

How do you know that your website is going to work well for a person  with a disability? One of the best ways to do so is to ask people who have disabilities to test your website. Even though someone might have a disability, they can still use the internet. For example, people who live with  epilepsy still use the internet regularly. Individuals who are color blind will also use the internet regularly. If you want to make sure individuals with disabilities can use your website, you need to ask these individuals to test your website before you go live. You may also want to take a look at a few accessiBe reviews to ensure it works well for people with disabilities on every platform.

3. Not Tagging Your Images and Videos Appropriately

You must make sure you tag all of your images and videos appropriately. You have probably heard that using images and videos is great for search engine optimization. Even though that is true, it is also great for people with disabilities if you tag your images and videos appropriately. Tagging them will make it easier for search engines to index the website, but these tags will also let people know what the images and videos are about if they are not able to see them themselves. Make sure you review the descriptions from time to time to make sure they are an accurate reflection of what is happening on the website.

4. Not Considering Font and Color Scheme

Finally, you need to think about the font and color scheme you use as well. There are some people who have severe vision issues who might not be able to see every font clearly. In addition, there are some people who are color blind who might not be able to see certain colors on the website. Ideally, if something is important on the website, you need to put it in black and white. Then, it is okay to have flashes of color throughout the rest of the page, but these should be non-essential elements that people are not required to see to get the gist of the page.

Ensure Your Website Is Accessible

There are some mistakes that are understandable, but you need to remember that you do not need to go through this on your own. There are professionals who can help you make sure that your website is accessible to as many people as possible. If you use an accessibility tool, you can identify areas of your website that you may have otherwise overlooked. That way, you can make sure people who have been diagnosed with a host of disabilities can still interact with your website. You have important information that you need to share with other people, and by making sure that your website is accessible, you ensure that information can be understood by everyone.

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