Accessible Websites

Websites are often the gateway for people to gather information about your products and services. It is therefore important that your website is as accessible as possible. The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (known as WCAG 2.1) are an internationally recognised set of recommendations for improving web accessibility and are based on 4 design principles:

  • Perceivable – to make sure you can recognise it with the senses that you have.
  • Operable – to make sure it can be used no matter how it is accessed.
  • Understandable – to make sure the content is understandable.
  • Robust – to make sure it can be interpreted widely by assistive technology.

 

The 4 design principles are aimed at ensuring that websites are created to focus on how people will interact with the content. For example, for blind and partially sighted people this may mean that the website can:

  • Allow a screen reader to read the content to someone
  • Have different colour contrasts
  • Have bigger text
  • Use voice commands to navigate a website

You should be familiar on the inclusive access features that your website has, in order that you can advise your blind and partially sighted members and users.

A key requirement of the Equality Act (2010) is to provide information in accessible formats. Not only is this a key requirement, but it is also sensible that organisations would want to communicate with their members, users and staff in formats that are suitable for them to read.

There is a significant chance that by providing material in an accessible format that you will see an increase in the number of people using the facilities. Consideration should be given to alternative formats across all your communication platforms including, but not limited to:

  • Website
  • Email
  • Newsletters
  • Social media posts
  • Videos
  • Other printed material, such as posters, flyers, banners etc

 

Use this handy guide to understand the most common website issues for blind and partially sighted people.

Most Common Website Issues

We have created further guidance that outlines what could be included in your accessibility information for your customers.

Website Accessibility Information

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