Accessible Website Design Best Practices
Accessible website design ensures that all users—including people with disabilities—can navigate, understand, and interact with your website. Good design removes barriers and creates a smoother experience for everyone.
Many accessibility improvements are simple, practical, and easy to implement, even for small business websites.
Use High Color Contrast
Text should be easy to read against its background. WCAG recommends a minimum contrast ratio of 4.5:1 for normal text.
Choose Readable Fonts
Avoid overly decorative fonts. Use clear, simple typefaces and ensure text is large enough to read comfortably.
Ensure Keyboard-Friendly Navigation
Some users cannot use a mouse. Your website should be fully navigable using only a keyboard.
Use Clear and Consistent Layouts
Predictable layouts help users understand where to find information and how to move through your website.
Provide Visible Focus Indicators
Focus indicators show users where they are on the page when navigating with a keyboard. They are essential for accessibility.
Make Forms Accessible
Forms should include clear labels, instructions, and error messages that assistive technologies can read.
Use ARIA Labels When Necessary
ARIA labels help assistive technologies understand interactive elements, but they should be used sparingly and correctly.
Ensure Media Is Accessible
Videos should include captions, and audio content should have transcripts to support users with hearing impairments.
Related Accessibility Topics
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