As a Website owner, you may want your website to function for everyone, regardless of how or where they attempt to access it. Despite any disability or restriction, your ultimate aim would be to make your website accessible enough that it accommodates everyone.
However, to see if your users are facing barriers while using your website or software, you can utilize the web evaluation tools. In addition, website designers have the opportunity to test their websites with legitimate customers.
Fortunately, website developers can follow several WCAG compliance measures to ensure that they produce an engaging customer experience for a broader audience. Also, accessible websites can be seen as the standard to follow, as they fit the accessibility criteria perfectly.
To help you get started, we have discussed a few web accessibility examples. While discussing them we’ll provide you an insight into how things work together to give you the best user experience.
What is Web Accessibility?
Web accessibility is the practice of making all types of digital media reachable and usable to everyone, even individuals with cognitive or physical limitations. Digital media includes websites, software programs, apps, and content.
Levels of Web Accessibility:
There are three degrees of conformity in regards to WCAG compliance, and each level is more accessible than the one before it. The criteria of each level is as the following:
WCAG Level A: is the bare minimum level of web accessibility. One requirement at this level is that your website must be easy to navigate. However, this degree doesn’t require employing any assistive technology, which means the screen reader users won’t access the content. Resolving the discrepancies on your website is the only way out.
WCAG Level AA: to meet the criteria for this level, your website must incorporate the use of different assistive technology; on desktops and handy devices. In addition, the web pages of your site must contain labels and headings to describe the content. ·
WCAG Level AAA: one of the requirements is that pages must utilize section headers to arrange the content of the page. This level requires a website to have the highest level of accessibility. However, remember that the perfect website doesn’t exist, as many customers might find it challenging to browse in certain areas.
Web Accessibility Examples:
Below we have discussed some of the web accessibility examples that fit the WCAG criteria. We’ll show you how they have designed their inclusive services and products keeping in mind the WCAG guidelines, giving the best user flow.
1. GOV.UK:
GOV.UK serves to be the best among the web accessibility examples. Since this website entails several minor enhancements which guarantee an inclusive experience throughout the website.
Well-structured HTML and semantics are incorporated into the website. Doing this enables keyboard users and screen readers to access content easily.
It also uses the ARIA attributes in its feedback forms. This aids screen reader users in finding the relevant form and assists in accurately filling it. For example, the links, ‘Is there anything wrong with this page?’ and . that you can see on the page, entails attributes. Attributes such as “Aria-controls” and “aria-expanded= false”’ show that they have control over the Webpage’s nearby section. However, that can’t be seen.
For instance, when the user accesses the feedback form, the first field in the form is given keyboard emphasis by default. In this case, the screen reader, despite reading out this field’s label, would pass over it. To resolve this matter, there’s an “aria-describedby” attribute that points to this help text and tells the screen reader to read it along with the form label. Furthermore, to inform screen reader users to close the feedback form attributes like ‘aria-expanded=” true”’ are used.
In addition, alternative forms for statistics and numerical data are also utilized in this website. This is also an enhancement that assists screen reader users. Typically in this process, the data is displayed in the form of a chart, usually with colored coding. However, the users can switch to the presented data’s table view if the screen readers are unable to understand the given structure.
2. Scope:
Scope is an excellent example of keyboard accessibility. You can easily navigate throughout the website but just tabbing. On the first tab, a large header will appear “skip to main content” on the landing page, assisting the people with disabilities to make the most of the website. For further tapping, users may proceed with browsing. It shows how beautifully the transition patterns between sections and the wide border are entailed to give you a smooth experience.
Fitting among the web accessibility examples while also maintaining the visual appeal is a big deal. It utilizes huge font sizing, contrasting colors, with perfect line spacing, and well-designed buttons. While on the same plane, it also entails large, high-res, and compelling eye-catching photography, especially for partially sighted site viewers.
While you navigate through the website, you’ll see the ‘Accessibility’ page, prominently displayed next to ‘Contact’ right below the header. This feature deserves the most appreciation. This page clearly outlines the Scope’s approach to web accessibility guidelines. In addition, it showcases how provided supporting tools help the visitors modify their experience. They have also provided a list of accessibility issues that are currently being addressed.
3. BBC:
The BBC’s digital team believes in placing people first, providing value to the disabled, prioritizing consistency and stability, granting content control, and providing numerous ways to engage with UI elements.
The website entails a hidden ‘Skip to content’ link that is exposed when you click tab. In addition, it has an “Accessibility Help” link right after it. This indicates that in case the screen reader and keyboard users encounter any issues. They may immediately access support without navigating the entire site.
There have been numerous tiny accessibility improvements on the BBC website. For example, hidden language, such as more accurate location information on article promotions and enlarged labels beside shared icons, provides more context for screen reader users.
The site is relatively simple to operate using a keyboard, and special attention has been established to make sure that users of assistive technology are not exposed to adjoining links that lead to the exact page.
4. Monzo:
Another website among web accessibility examples is Monzo. However, being a lean brand, nobody would expect it to be that concerned about accessibility. But this famous smartphone bank is working to meet the WCAG guidelines and, to some extent, has done its part.
Monzo uses their blogs to share more with their visitors about how they aim to enhance the customer experience and what measures they are gradually taking to do so. Monzo Blogs consists of many blogs related to the brand’s commitment to building an accessible site. Through their blogs they have showcased how they are revising and monitoring image alt text descriptions, and reconstructing blogs and creating component libraries to ensure consistency on their website. Taking all measure to reach out to everyone using the internet.
5. SSE Energy:
Last but not least among the web accessibility examples is SSE. Despite being a well recognized organization and having an old client base, SSE is adopting inclusive design. Aiming ultimately to provide an accessible service to all of its consumers.
When SSE opted to upgrade their website, they decided to go back to the basics. Its digital design has undergone substantial changes, including a significant reworking of the brand’s colors. In addition, the code structure and alt text, especially for non-textual elements, have been given special attention.
The final outcome is a simple, clean, and easy to navigate layout. With a visible ‘Skip to content’ link on the very first tab, particularly designed for keyboard users to effectively access the content available on the website.
However, since online sign-up experiences are the most significant and profitable user interactions on the internet, SSE’s energy division has concentrated most of its accessibility initiatives around them.
6. World Wildlife Fund
The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) website communicates the organization’s projects, objectives, collaborations, and educational materials. The WWF’s website is easier to access and navigate because the website is filled with information.
Furthermore, the website is arranged using semantic features and includes the proper HTML accessibility tags. The WWF is committed to accessible design. Their present website was not created using a conventional CMS that might have automatically added some of these elements.
7. KidzWish
KidzWish was founded in 2004 to assist, love, and make children in our community who are ill, underprivileged, or have disabilities laugh. For kids who are underprivileged or have disabilities, KidzWish offers treatment, support services, and an annual Christmas celebration.
Internetrix entirely rebuilt the KidzWish website. It serves several individuals with various impairments. Therefore, it was apparent that it needed to create a website that was as accessible as possible.
Their website works well visually, has a solid back end to capture and process donations, and is built so that many people can access the content. It is simple to browse because of the clear, clickable components.
8. Paralympic.org
The International Paralympic Committee’s (IPC) official website is Paralympic.org. The IPC is a strong proponent of social inclusion.
It has a quick “scroll-to-top” button and keyboard-friendly tab navigation to make it simple to navigate the page. There is a lot of white space to let visual components stand out, as well as huge, prominent images and videos.
A font size selector is found on the home page in the top-right corner of the display. As a result, individuals with visual impairments may immediately alter the text’s size to suit their needs because it is visible.
9. NSW.gov
NSW.gov informs the 7.5 million New South Wales (NSW), Australia residents about services, programs, and projects. The website has big graphics, distinct layouts, and a clear visual content presentation.
The NSW.gov website was created and built in collaboration with Silverstripe Australia, Internetrix, and Webling to ensure material is accessible to the broadest audience, including readers requiring assistive technology.
The colors are strong and vibrant and meet accessibility contrast level criteria. A keyboard may be utilized for complete functions.
10. Swiss Air
Swiss Air’s trip booking website’s functionality is enhanced by excellent user navigation features. Users with keyboards can easily explore the website.
The Skip to… option, which appears in the center of the screen, is a helpful navigational tool. All visitors can access the digital content immediately, regardless of handicap or disability.
A fresh pop-up window appears when a fresh interactive button or link is clicked. It may be closed by using the Esc key on the keyboard. An excellent illustration of accessible browsing is this popup design.
Making the Web Accessible
Web accessibility is one of the most neglected website design considerations we frequently dismiss. Designing website accessibility includes user-friendly features for everyone. To avoid having to go back and redo work, it is more efficient and effective to include accessibility from the beginning of projects.
Here are some tips for creating an accessible website:
Having ADA Website Accessibility
Making material usable for individuals with impairments ensures ADA (Americans with Disability Act) website accessibility. Users who are blind or deaf and utilize speech recognition software, screen readers, or other assistive technology should be able to access web content
Over time, the accessible design reduces costs and boosts the critical metrics that determine successful websites. To remain in compliance with the ADA and other anti-discrimination regulations, however, most firms implement accessible procedures.
Due to the nature of accessible web design, information may be shown on various hardware, software, and operating systems. This guarantees that accessibility concerns are advantageous to all online users.
In the digital world, accessibility features such as alt text and semantic HTML make it simpler for everyone to explore websites using keywords. People without accessibility needs may also benefit from the usability benefits of access features.
Use Skip Navigation
Keyboard navigation is one of the tenets of website accessibility. Long lists of links can be skipped by screen reader users and people who cannot operate a mouse.
In other words, a skip navigation link at the top of your website directs you to the content area when you click it. By repositioning the link outside of the browser viewport using CSS, you can keep this link hidden from people who can access it.
Use High-Contrast Colors
Low color contrast may make it difficult for certain people to read text. Because of this, we advise selecting colors with a high contrast ratio. All items on the page should be able to be distinguished from one another, thanks to the color contrast on your website.
The most readable font is black on a white backdrop, but you may also use black text on a yellow background and yellow text on a blue background together.
Additionally, avoid any JavaScript or CSS elements that might make it impossible for those with vision loss to increase the contrast.
Alt Text for Images
Photos and other visual components represent an accessibility barrier for users who are blind or have impaired vision. Make sure to include an alternative text (alt text) that explains any photos you use on your website.
Add Captions and Transcripts to Videos
You should include captions or subtitles for any videos you post on your website so that people who are hard of hearing or deaf may still enjoy the information.
Screen readers users may experience your material without relying solely on the audio or visual components using closed captioning and text transcripts.
Evaluating Accessibility
To uncover accessibility issues early, when it is simpler to fix them, analyze accessibility early and often when constructing or redesigning a website.
You can assess certain accessibility-related factors by taking quick actions. It takes extra time and effort to thoroughly assess a website to see if it complies with all accessibility standards.
There are technologies for evaluation that support evaluation. While you can use tools to assess accessibility, a knowledgeable human review is also necessary. Following are the aspects to test a website for accessibility:
Check The Website Navigation
You can check the website navigation by disabling styles using add-ons, extensions, and plugins created by web developers for Chrome and other browsers. This implies that all you will see is the website’s content.
When using websites, many visually challenged people enlarge the screen or activate high contrast. By zooming closer, changing the settings, or installing accessibility extensions to your browser, you may accomplish this on your own.
However, if the website navigation is suitable for people with limitations or impairments, they may not even need to use such extensions.
Verify Links, Alt-Text, and Markup.
Several programs may automatically check for various accessibility issues, such as issues with links, alt-text, and HTML markup. This is a wonderful beginning step in learning how to test the accessibility of your website.
Accessibility testing tools like Accessibility Spark will make it plain to you which parts of your website are problematic for impaired users. With the help of the tool, you can also check for specific compliance requirements in the regions your website serves.
User Testing
This is a crucial step in understanding how your website actually performs when utilized in a non-traditional manner. If your users can test every aspect of your website, you will benefit the most from this process.
Finding testers who make use of assistive technology is possible in several ways. You might collaborate with neighborhood organizations or advocacy groups, run an advertisement and set up a testing session or group, or schedule user testing with a for-profit organization.
What Do Accessible Websites Do Right?
People with disabilities now can have equal access to digital platforms because of web accessibility.
In order to achieve the highest degree of usability and ADA compliance, online accessibility considers every website visitor’s fundamental needs.
All of these folks require a straightforward method of using the internet. To increase accessibility, make sure your website has the following elements.
- Alt Text – With the use of screen readers, alt text can give a blind user textual information in place of photos or graphics in web content. For the benefit of screen reader users, accessible websites contain alt text for pictures and other media assets.
- Color Contrast – With high contrast color presence on the website, it is simpler for users with limited vision to view your online content. Color contrast mistakes occur when text has a color contrast ratio of less than 4.5:1 with the backdrop.
- Keyboard Navigation – Accessible websites enable visitors to use their keyboards instead of the mouse to move around and between web pages.
- Semantic HTML – Semantic HTML makes it simpler for assistive technology to comprehend a web page’s structure, making it easier for users to navigate between page sections and interact with various page elements.
- Text – Since a screen reader will read the page title in addition to any content, a descriptive page title might aid impaired people in navigating between various web pages.
Conclusion:
It’s essential to make your website accessible to everyone in order to give users with disability an equal opportunities and experiences. As a result, your relations with your customers extend far beyond the confines of a computer screen which would work wonders for your business development.
Take a UX test today and get started with the journey. Know where your website faces discrepancies. Once you know what the users are facing, you work more determinedly.
However, setting these above discussed web accessibility examples as a standard to follow may help you implement the guidelines effectively. See how they have beautifully designed their websites, fulfilling their accessibility needs while not compromising their website design.