With approximately 5.3 billion people accessing the internet globally, ensuring website accessibility is more critical than ever. As we move into 2024, the diversity of online users highlights the need for websites to be inclusive and accessible. Organizations must prioritize accessibility not only to comply with stricter legislation but also to avoid costly compliance issues in the future. This guide will walk you through how to check website accessibility in 2024, using the latest tools and best practices.

What is Website Accessibility?

Website accessibility refers to the practice of designing and developing websites so that people of all abilities can use them. This includes accommodating users with visual impairments, motor control challenges, hearing loss, and cognitive disabilities. Accessibility features, such as color contrast, larger text, screen reader compatibility, keyboard shortcuts, and larger cursors, can significantly enhance the user experience and reduce frustration.

Why Website Accessibility Matters

  1. Legal Compliance: Laws and regulations around website accessibility are becoming more stringent. Ensuring compliance now can help avoid future legal issues.
  2. Wider Audience Reach: An accessible website can be used by a broader audience, including people with disabilities, increasing your potential user base.
  3. SEO Benefits: Accessibility practices often align with SEO best practices, improving search engine rankings.
  4. Enhanced User Experience: Accessibility features improve the overall user experience, making it easier for everyone to navigate and use your website.

How to Check Website Accessibility in 2024

1. Automated Accessibility Testing Tools

Automated tools are an excellent starting point for checking website accessibility. Popular tools in 2024 include:

  • WAVE (Web Accessibility Evaluation Tool): Provides visual feedback about the accessibility of your web content. For example, if you run your homepage through WAVE, it will highlight areas like missing alt text on images or form labels that need improvement.
  • Axe by Deque: An open-source tool that integrates into your development workflow to automatically check for accessibility issues. Running Axe on your site can reveal issues such as insufficient color contrast or improper ARIA roles.
  • Lighthouse: A comprehensive auditing tool built into Google Chrome’s DevTools. A Lighthouse audit can identify accessibility issues like low-contrast text or missing form labels.
  • Pa11y: Runs automated tests and provides detailed reports on accessibility issues. Using Pa11y, you might find that some of your interactive elements are not keyboard accessible.

These tools help identify common accessibility problems like missing alt text, insufficient color contrast, and improper heading structures.

2. Manual Testing

Manual testing is crucial for a thorough accessibility check. It involves:

  • Keyboard Navigation: Ensure all interactive elements can be accessed and used via keyboard alone. For example, try navigating your website using only the Tab key and Shift+Tab to move backward. Check if all links, buttons, and form fields are reachable and functional.
  • Screen Reader Testing: Use screen readers like JAWS, NVDA, or VoiceOver to test how your website is read aloud. For instance, use VoiceOver on a Mac to navigate your website and ensure that all content is read correctly and in a logical order.
  • Color Contrast: Ensure text and background color combinations have sufficient contrast. Tools like the Contrast Checker by WebAIM can help. For example, if your text color is light gray on a white background, it might fail the contrast check.

3. Follow WCAG Guidelines

The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) are the global standard for website accessibility. As of 2024, WCAG 2.1 is widely adopted, with WCAG 2.2 in the final stages of approval. The key principles of WCAG include:

  • Perceivable: Information and user interface components must be presentable to users in ways they can perceive. For example, provide text alternatives for non-text content, such as alt text for images.
  • Operable: User interface components and navigation must be operable. Ensure that all functionality is available from a keyboard, such as using the Enter key to activate buttons.
  • Understandable: Information and the operation of the user interface must be understandable. For instance, make sure form inputs have clear labels and instructions.
  • Robust: Content must be robust enough to be interpreted by a wide variety of user agents, including assistive technologies. Use valid HTML and ARIA roles to ensure compatibility.

4. Involve Users with Disabilities

Involving users with disabilities in the testing process provides real-world insights into your website’s accessibility and highlights issues that automated tools might miss. For example, recruit individuals with different types of disabilities to navigate your website and provide feedback on their experience.

5. Regular Audits and Updates

Website accessibility is an ongoing process. Conduct regular audits to ensure your website remains compliant with the latest standards and guidelines. Update your content and design practices as new accessibility challenges and solutions emerge. For example, schedule quarterly accessibility reviews and update your site’s features accordingly.

Examples of Accessibility Features

  • Alt Text for Images: Adding descriptive alt text to images ensures that screen readers can convey the information to visually impaired users. For instance, an image of a puppy might have the alt text “Golden retriever puppy playing with a ball.”
  • Closed Captions for Videos: Providing closed captions for video content helps users with hearing impairments. For example, a YouTube video might include captions that transcribe the spoken dialogue and important sounds.
  • High Contrast Mode: Offering a high contrast mode can make text more readable for users with visual impairments. For instance, providing a toggle switch that changes the color scheme to high contrast.
  • Keyboard Accessible Menus: Ensuring that dropdown menus can be navigated using the keyboard. For example, pressing the Tab key moves focus to the menu, and the arrow keys navigate through the menu items.

Conclusion

Understanding how to check website accessibility in 2024 is crucial for creating an inclusive and compliant online presence. By using automated tools, conducting manual tests, following WCAG guidelines, involving users with disabilities, and performing regular audits, you can ensure that your website is accessible to all. Accessibility is not just a legal requirement but a commitment to providing equal access to information and services for everyone.

Implementing these practices will help you create a more inclusive web and enhance the overall user experience for all visitors. Make website accessibility a priority in 2024 and contribute to a more accessible and equitable digital world.