The Benefits of Making Your Website Accessible

Visually impaired working on computer with assistive technology; braille display and screen reader.

In today’s digital world, websites play an integral role in the success and sustainability of businesses. But in order to truly reach everyone and optimize their website experience, it’s essential to make your website accessible. This means that your website should be navigable by all people, regardless of disability or impairment. Not only is this an important consideration when developing a website, it is also a critical step in building a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment for everyone.

What Does Accessibility Mean?

Simply put, accessibility means making sure that websites are designed with everyone in mind. This includes people with colorblindness or visual impairments who rely on screen readers to navigate the web; people with hearing impairments who interact with audio content through captions or transcripts; and those with physical disabilities who may find themselves unable to use a mouse or other pointing device due to limited mobility. By taking into account the needs of all users—regardless of ability—websites can become more welcoming and accessible for everyone.

How Can I Make My Website More Accessible?

Making changes to your website doesn’t have to be complicated. Here are some simple steps you can take right away:

  1. Add Alt Text To Images – Adding alt text (or alternative text) to images enables screen readers to describe the image for someone who may not be able to see it clearly or at all. Alt text should provide a brief description of what’s depicted in the image.
  2. Make Text Readable – Ensure that fonts are easy-to-read and that there is enough contrast between font color and background color so that text is legible on both light and dark backgrounds. Additionally, make sure elements like buttons are large enough for users to easily click on them using just their finger or pointer device.
  3. Use Accessibility Widgets – Another great way to improve accessibility on your site is by using an accessibility widget from AccessiBe. These widgets help ensure that websites are compliant with accessibility standards such as WCAG 2.0 — they can detect any areas where improvements need to be made and provide recommendations on how best to resolve them quickly and easily!

With these simple steps, you can begin making your website more accessible for everyone — no matter their physical abilities or impairments! Making your website more accessible not only helps create an inclusive environment for all visitors but also improves SEO rankings, increases engagement levels, and demonstrates commitment to diversity, equity & inclusion initiatives within the organization. Simply put – making your website more accessible has multiple benefits which will ultimately lead towards overall business success.

If it’s time to do an accessibility audit for your website or you want assistance installing an accessibility widget, reach out to us for support!