Web accessibility ensures an inclusive, compliant digital experience. Learn practical steps to improve navigation, media, forms, and interactive elements while meeting WCAG, ADA, and Section 508 standards.
Not only does web accessibility allow for more users to consume your content, adhering to standards is a legal requirement as well.
Many digital professionals understand accessibility basics. However, implementing strategies that satisfy specific guidelines like the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) and laws like the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 508 can be complex, especially in highly regulated industries like healthcare and government.
Here’s a deeper look at strategies to improve your site’s accessibility while staying compliant:
Alternative text (alt text) is essential to web accessibility. Its effectiveness depends on accurate, context-appropriate use. The alt text should describe the image and its function within the content. For decorative images, you can omit alt text to reduce screen reader clutter. Keep in mind that data-driven visuals like charts usually need a bit more descriptive text to convey key info.
Captions for videos and transcripts for audio content need to meet perceivability standards. Audio descriptions further support visually impaired users.
Keyboard accessibility is fundamental for users with motor impairments, who often navigate with keyboards or other assistive devices. Interactive elements like pop-ups, accordions, and carousels can be accessibility barriers if they aren’t properly optimized for keyboard use.
This one is easy to test when launching a new website but often forgot on evolution project. maybe a month later you add a slider and forget to make it keyboard friendly
WCAG 2.1 guidelines emphasize a logical and predictable tabbing order and clear focus states. This helps users understand where they are on the page, especially for complex, JavaScript-heavy sites where modals or pop-ups may disrupt navigation. Make sure focus lands in expected locations and offer clear paths through interactive content to comply.
Buttons, links, and form fields should be operable with a keyboard. You should ideally use ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) roles and labels to communicate the function of interactive elements. This ensures that screen readers interpret components accurately, especially in dynamic elements like sortable tables where instructions on keyboard interaction are necessary.
High contrast between text and background is essential for users with visual impairments or color vision deficiencies. WCAG guidelines recommend using a minimum 4.5:1 contrast ratio, with 7:1 for AAA compliance.
Color should not be the sole means of conveying information. Using additional text or symbols helps ensure content clarity for color-blind users. Flexible font sizing (ie: allowing text to be resized without breaking layout) is also essential for ensuring readability across devices and user needs.
Clear, concise language in labels and error messages prevents confusion. Labels must be easy to follow, particularly in forms that need user input. Providing error messages with clear feedback is vital for usability and compliance, particularly in regulated industries.
A logical navigation structure enables screen reader users to traverse a site’s hierarchy and locate specific content.
Consistently organizing headers (H1, H2, H3, etc.) helps users and assistive technologies understand the page’s layout. Additionally, WCAG recommends using skip links, which allow users to bypass repetitive content.
ARIA landmarks like role="navigation" or role="main" are essential for accessibility compliance. They help screen readers interpret sections and improve the semantic structure. Defining sections in this way makes navigation intuitive, accessible, and compliant.
Forms are some of the most interactive and complex elements on any website. They must be designed to ensure accessibility, as poor form design can limit access for users with disabilities.
Each input field should have a corresponding <label> tag to give screen readers context. Logical tabbing and descriptive error messages, allow users to complete forms accurately. Clear error feedback is especially crucial in regulated industries, where precise data entry is vital.
Keyboard-friendly form navigation, along with ARIA attributes for labeling fields and errors need to allow users to navigate and correct form entries without a mouse.
Automated tools like Axe or WAVE help spot standard issues, but comprehensive audits — including manual testing — are essential to identify more nuanced issues, such as keyboard focus or screen reader compatibility.
Conduct automated and manual tests regularly, using screen readers (NVDA, VoiceOver) and keyboard navigation. Manual audits often reveal real-world issues missed by automated scans, such as complex tabbing or overlooked interactive elements.
Consider professional accessibility audits, especially for highly regulated industries. These audits ensure ADA and Section 508 compliance, providing actionable insights for improvement. Regular audits reduce legal risk and help your site deliver a high-quality, inclusive experience.
Accessibility ultimately means providing an inclusive experience for everyone. And creating a compliant and accessible site requires ongoing commitment.
When building a new website, the best practice is to integrate WCAG, ADA, and Section 508 standards into each stage of development, from initial wireframing to post-launch testing.
What’s often overlooked is maintaining accessibility compliance over time. Content editors skip adding alt text to images or videos or add supporting images presenting low contrast text. Forgetting the headline when publishing textual content is another typical symptom.
Accessibility therefore needs ongoing vigilance, and the team responsible for updating the website’s content and code should be trained to do so. Content publication workflows should include a step to verify compliance. By doing so, you’ll be able to make sure your website is as compliant in the future as it is when it is launched.
Should you need guidance, Symetris can help make your digital experiences inclusive. Whether you need an accessibility audit, want to validate that your website meets accessibility standards, our team of experts is ready to help at every step.
