Introduction
A website must do more than look attractive. Visitors should be able to read its content, navigate the menu and reach a contact option. You can begin an accessibility review with a few basic user tasks.
Follow the heading structure through the page
The main heading should clearly explain the page’s subject. Arrange subsection headings by meaning and hierarchy. Services, process and contact should be distinguishable sections, for example. Check in the content management system that a bold line has not been used in place of a real heading.
Describe images according to their purpose
Alternative text for an informative image should convey its important information. Decorative images may not need a lengthy description. Consider why the user sees a service photo instead of simply repeating its file name. If an image contains writing, make that information accessible as text too.
Try using the keyboard
Starting at the top, use Tab to reach the menu, form fields and contact links. Can you see the focus indicator? Can you enter and leave an expanded menu? Try completing the form entirely with the keyboard. Record the device and the step where you became stuck.
Check contrast and mobile reading
Pay particular attention to small, pale text, buttons over images and error messages. At different widths, check that text is not clipped, enlarged content remains available and touch targets are not too close together. A contrast tool helps, and readability should also be tried on a real device.
Prioritize barriers in the most-used pages and contact flow, then repeat the same steps after corrections. Visit DijitUP’s homepage for more information about website planning.