What makes a site accessible?
It's a combination of things. Here are some key ones:
- The content of the site is independent of the ‘look’. The visual design is held in one type of file while another holds the content. This means that browsers that read aloud or display Braille can disregard the layout. There are other benefits to this approach too: pages are easily re-formatted for different purposes (like printing out), visual designs are more easily altered and sites built in this way operate more quickly.
- Scalable text. The user should be able to change the text to whatever size is comfortable for them to read and the layout of pages shouldn't break up when they do this.
- Text descriptions of visual elements. Images that add to the meaning of the site must be described so that non-visual browsers can say what information or message the image is conveying.
- Plain English. Essential for anyone who finds reading difficult but also a good idea for all the millions of skim-readers out there. This doesn't mean texts have to be boring or ‘dumbed-down’.
- Links that make sense. Links are used independently by some software - calling them ‘Click here’ and ‘Read more’ doesn't give a clue as to where they go. Search engines like sensible links too.
- Clarity and consistency in visual design. There should be good contrast between text and backgrounds. Colour should help understanding but not be essential to it.
The World Wide Web Consortium has produced guidelines on accessibility for web designers, but not all of the above areas are included (we've added a few we've found to be important). The RNIB website is a good place to start for comprehensive coverage of the subject.
A website can be subjected to testing for accessibility, either professionally or using some quick DIY checks.
