Top 5 Accessibility Features Every Website Should Adhere to in 2024

Introduction 

As the digital society grows, it is important and mandatory for websites to be as inclusive as possible. Working towards accessibility is a pledge to create a better web for all of us. Website accessibility refers to making a website accessible to everyone who would like to visit, get information, or use the services provided without having to modify the tools they use. Following these guidelines and meeting other accessibility standards, including the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), allows the creation of an inclusive and user-friendly interface.

In this insight post, we have outlined the top five accessibility features every website should implement in 2024. Prioritizing web accessibility by adapting these five features will help you not only meet the required standards but also improve the overall user experience and promote an inclusive digital experience.

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Accessibility features

1. Text Elements for Non-Text Information

One of the key principles for accessibility is to provide accurate and descriptive texts for non-text elements like images, videos, and other forms of media integration in websites, complying with the WCAG standards. Using text alternatives can prove to be useful for people using screen readers, people with cognitive disabilities, etc.,

2. Keyboard Navigation

Not all users will be able to control their movement across a website by moving a mouse around. Keyboard navigation is an important assistive technology for people with visual and motor disabilities and other assistive technologies like screen readers rely on keyboard accessibility. Accessibility best practice dictates that full navigation of a site should be possible by using solely the keyboard which is crucial to access websites for people with different physical abilities and personal preferences. This includes

Accessibility movement: Users ought to be able to go through interactive items in a purposive manner.

Visible focus indicators: This means that when a user navigates through a page using the Tab key, the focus should be highlighted visually to enable the user to identify what is in focus. 

Effective implementation of keyboard navigation should improve the accessibility and usability for a great number of users while meeting the commonly recognized standards.

3. Responsive design and adaptability

Responsive design can be described as an approach to the design of websites for use on a wide range of devices that use flexible grids. Responsiveness is a step that is not only about aesthetics but also to do with accessibility. In 2024, it is no longer a luxury to provide a responsive design, it has become a requirement. A website must therefore be responsive to devices of different screen sizes and resolutions and different browsers.

Flexible images: In responsive web design, images should adjust to the different screen sizes of the devices used.

 Avoiding horizontal scrolling: Much of the content should be viewable in the vertical dimension only, as some forms of scrolling are uncomfortable for certain people. However, if you apply reactive design in your online platform, not only do you increase accessibility, but also the overall experience of different audiences.

4. Color contrast and use of color 

Color plays an important role in website design, but, at the same time, it can be a forming wall if not used correctly. Digestibility of texts for the audience can suffer from bad choices of color which makes it hard to read for the visually impaired, the color, and some others.

High contrast ratios: The contrast ratio of text to its background should be in the ratio 4.5:1, if the text used is in its standard size while for the larger text, the contrast should be at least 3:1.

Avoid reliance on color alone: Color information which can be provided as an alert message or notification should be provided in text or symbolic form. Enough color differentiation is important for the comfortable use of the website by the audience.

5. Clear and Consistent Navigation

Simply, a good format of a website is important for each user to access and navigate comfortably around the website.

Consistent organization: Users expect certain navigation elements to be in the same place on all the pages which is crucial for better user experience.

Simple language: Keeping the text of a website simple by using familiar words, active voice, and keeping it concise can prove valuable.

Search functionality: A good search bar enables a user to find the specific information they are looking for without much complexity thereby enhancing the experience.

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Conclusion

In 2024, website accessibility is not just about compliance with the law but about doing the ‘right thing’. The five characteristics include text alternatives for non-text content, keyboard navigation, accessibility through responsive design, color contrast, and the use of color, making it possible to promote an equal online experience for everyone in conformity to standards like WCAG. Implementing these important features will ensure that your site provides value to people with disabilities and, in the process, will prove useful for all other users as well.

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