Introduction to Website Accessibility
Website accessibility is about ensuring everyone can access and interact with your digital content, regardless of their abilities or the technology they use. Whether you’re a designer, developer, or content creator, maintaining accessibility standards is a shared responsibility. As technology evolves, so do the possibilities for your website, making accessibility an ongoing effort.
How to Keep Your Website Accessible
We test our websites against the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). These guidelines set global standards for making web content accessible to people with disabilities and are regularly updated. Here are some effective ways to stay on top of your website’s accessibility:
- Regular Accessibility Audits: Use automated tools and manual testing to regularly check your website for accessibility issues. Tools like Wave and Lighthouse are excellent and free.
- User Testing: Involve users with disabilities in usability testing to get feedback on their experience with your website. Offer incentives like free tickets or vouchers as their time and feedback are invaluable.
- Implement Feedback Mechanisms: Provide an easy way for users to report accessibility issues, such as feedback forms, contact emails, or dedicated support channels.
- Collaborate with Accessibility Experts: Work with consultants or experts to review your website and ensure compliance with accessibility standards. The Arts Council’s new accessibility scheme, All In, offers a support directory where you can find consultants, knowledge bases, training, and more. Find a support organisation here.
Taking Action for Website Accessibility
You don’t have to do everything at once. Small changes can lead to significant progress. By incorporating these steps into your regular processes, maintaining website accessibility becomes much more manageable.
Join Us at the AMA Conference
We’ll be at the AMA Conference this year, discussing website accessibility and our work with Arts Council England on designing and building the All In website. We’ll share key takeaways and tips we discovered along the way. Book your place to join us here.
Additional Resources
In the meantime, watch our latest webinar, How to Maintain Your Website’s Accessibility, for tips on evaluating your website against the latest WCAG guidelines.