Web Accessibility Best Practices Guide
Ensuring web accessibility is a complex task, but there are best practices that can help. In this guide, we'll explore these best practices for checking web accessibility, empowering you to create and review external web pages and applications that are usable to everyone.
- Test with a Keyboard
- Set your mouse aside and use the tab key to navigate web pages. Ensure you can access all interactive features (e.g., menus, links, form fields, buttons, controls) using the Enter, space, arrow keys, or other intuitive keystrokes. If some features are inaccessible, the site likely has accessibility issues.
- Color Contrast
- Color contrast, a crucial aspect of web accessibility, is the difference between foreground and background colors, directly impacting text legibility. Ensuring your website meets color contrast requirements is vital.
- WCAG guidelines recommend a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text over 18 points.
- Color Contrast Information
- Descriptive Titles, Links, and Buttons
- All functional controls on a webpage should have a clear purpose. Avoid links like "click here" or "learn more," as they don't provide clear context. Buttons should always describe their function.
- Descriptive Link Information
- Content Resizing
- People with eyesight barriers often use browser zoom to increase the text size. WCAG guidelines suggest text should be resizable up to 200% without assistive technology or loss of meaning.
- Test this by using the zoom tool in your web browser. If content overlaps or moves out of view, the page doesn't meet accessibility standards.
- Avoid Relying on Color Alone
- Webpages should not rely solely on color to convey information or status, as colorblind individuals may not distinguish the differences.
- Alternative Text for Images
- All images must have alternative text or long descriptions. If an image is not decorative and lacks an alt tag, screen readers will either ignore it or simply state "image" without further detail.
- Alternate Text Information
- User Control Over Audio and Video
- Interfaces should allow users to control audio and video playback. Users should be able to adjust playback speed, pause, or stop the content to learn at their own pace.
- Accurate Closed Captioning and Transcription for Videos
- Follow UAGC External Video Guidelines for closed captioning and transcription.
- Option to Turn Off Animated Effects
- Users must be able to disable animated effects. Those with motion sickness or seizure disorders can experience discomfort or health risks from blinking/flashing objects. Avoid content that blinks or flashes more than three times per second.
- Contact for Formal Review
- Reviewing the accessibility of external web items can be a significant task. Please contact Academic Quality Assurance if you have any questions. UAGC faculty, for a full external webpage review, please use the Jira ticketing system.
WCAG Guidelines are technical standards designed to make digital content accessible and usable for everyone. WCAG 2.1 AA guidelines are used in federal and state laws. Review WebAim’s WCAG Guideline Checklist, and remember that Academic Quality Assurance is here to assist you with interpreting and reviewing for web accessibility.