- Make sure your WordPress theme and plugins support accessibility features like keyboard navigation and screen reader compatibility.
- Properly use headings (H1, H2, H3) for content structure and add descriptive alt text to images for better accessibility.
- To keep your site inclusive, maintain good colour contrast, provide transcripts for media, and regularly test your site with accessibility tools.
Web accessibility means inclusivity for everyone, including people with special needs. People with disabilities, such as blindness, deafness, or motor impairments, rely on assistive technologies to interact with the web. Making your WordPress site inclusive makes navigation easier for them and allows you to reach a wider audience. It also helps you comply with legal requirements and improve your site’s overall usability.
Here are a few tips to incorporate accessibility into your WordPress website.
Use Accessible Themes and Plugins
Look for themes labeled as accessible or compliant with accessibility standards. These themes include features like keyboard navigation and screen reader support. Check that any plugins you add are also accessibility-friendly and do not interfere with your theme’s features.
Structure Content with Headings
Proper use of headings helps all users navigate your site. Headings (H1, H2, and H3) create a logical structure, which makes it easier for screen readers to interpret your content. Make sure that each page has one H1 heading, followed by H2 and H3 as needed. Avoid skipping heading levels, as this can confuse screen readers.
Add Alt Text to Images
Adding alt text to images is important for accessibility. The alt text describes the content of an image, allowing screen readers to convey this information to users. It should be descriptive but concise. For decorative images, use empty alt text (alt=””) to let screen readers know that these images can be ignored.
Opt for Keyboard Accessibility
Many users rely on keyboard navigation to interact with websites. Check if all interactive elements, like links, buttons, and forms, can be used with a keyboard. Avoid using only mouse-dependent features. Test your website by navigating through it using only the keyboard to identify and fix any issues.
Use Accessible Forms
Forms are common on websites, and to make them accessible, the form fields must have clear labels and instructions. Use ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) labels where necessary to improve screen reader compatibility. Provide error messages that are easy to understand and help users correct mistakes.
Colour Contrast and Text Readability
Good colour contrast contributes to readability, so use tools to check colour contrast ratios and adjust them accordingly. Ensure that your text stands out against the background. Avoid using colour alone to convey information. Combine colours with text or symbols so that the information is accessible to colour-blind users.
Implement Skip Links
Skip links allow users to bypass repetitive content and navigate directly to the main content. This feature is particularly helpful for users relying on keyboard navigation. Place these links at the top of the page and make them visible when focused. This improves the user experience for people who need to skip past navigation menus.
Test with Accessibility Tools
Regularly testing your website with accessibility tools is important. Use tools like WAVE, Axe, and Lighthouse to identify and fix issues. These tools provide insights and recommendations for improving your site’s inclusivity. Manual testing, including navigating your site with a screen reader, also helps identify issues that automated tools might miss.
Provide Transcripts and Captions for Media
If your site includes audio or video content, provide transcripts and captions. This helps users who are deaf or hard of hearing access your content. Transcripts also improve SEO and make your content inclusive to a broader audience.
Regularly Update and Maintain Accessibility
Web accessibility is not a one-time task. Regularly review and update your site to ensure it remains accessible. Keep your themes, plugins, and WordPress versions up to date. Accessibility standards and best practices evolve, so staying informed and proactive is necessary.
Creating an accessible WordPress website is important for inclusivity. Don’t let accessibility barriers hold your business back from its full potential. Let us at CanSpace Solutions help you build a WordPress-based website that welcomes everyone. Contact us today to learn more.
