Every second, three websites are published on the internet. However, did you know that 4.8% of these home pages have some accessibility errors?

Since the number of digital assets has exploded, the focus is shifting towards web accessibility. How, you may ask?

Thoughtful web design for accessibility content creation has strategic and tactical significance. It nurtures the customer journey at every stage, boosting your business’s bottom line. But what is inclusive content, why does it matter, and how to adhere to W3C Web Content Accessibility Guidelines?

Stay with us as we put digital accessibility under the microscope. We will examine the complex nuances of online accessibility regulations and best practices.

Table of Contents:

What is Web Accessibility?

Web accessibility refers to digital content creation practices that make it usable for every user. Thus, visitors with visual impairments or cognitive disabilities have a seamless experience.

Prioritizing online accessibility regulations ensures the content reaches and resonates with every user – irrespective of their disability.

Why Web Design for Accessibility Matters?

One in six people on the planet has some form of disability. They will perceive and comprehend your content differently. That’s where digital accessibility becomes the guiding post.

Web design for accessibility is not just for legal compliance. Inclusive digital content plays a critical role in creating a streamlined user experience.

Let’s examine the benefits of adhering to W3C web content accessibility guidelines:

1. Expand to the Untapped Market

Around 1.3 billion people globally live with disabilities. This means there’s a relatively untapped market. Digital accessibility allows you to tap into a sizable demographic and expand your reach to new markets.

2. Inclusive Content: Information for All

Besides tapping into a significantly unexplored market, the benefits of web accessibility go beyond financial growth. Creating accessible content is vital to ensure every user can easily comprehend the content. This allows people with disabilities to understand and interact with your content.

3.Improved SEO = Increased Traffic

For any website, featuring in the top slot of SERP is paramount. While several factors do the job, web accessibility is crucial in pushing your site to the top. Following W3C web content accessibility guidelines can drastically improve SEO efforts.

How, you may ask?

Descriptive page titles, proper alt text, and semantic HTML allow search engines to crawl through the content easily. This gives your website the required traction, bringing in more traffic.

4. Web Accessibility: Improves Competitive Edge

With six websites uploaded every second, the internet is becoming a saturated space. To stand out in the competition, accessible digital content creation is pivotal.

However, most websites have accessibility barriers that can significantly impact the user experience. An inclusive website builds a streamlined interactive experience across a larger user base.

How Does Digital Accessibility Improve Content Discoverability?

In content discoverability, accessibility refers to the process of making digital content easily readable and accessible for all users, including those with impairments.

Here are the top benefits of web accessibility, which ensures the content is discoverable by all:

1. Improved User Experience

In addition to helping individuals with disabilities, accessibility features like keyboard navigation, alt text for pictures, and appropriate heading structures also make a website easier to use for everyone else.

You can establish a user-friendly website that appeals to a varied audience by making content accessible.

2. Enhanced Audience Discovery

Users with disabilities who depend on assistive technologies to access digital material are more likely to find and share accessible content.

Optimizing their content for accessibility can foster more interaction, boost traffic, and enhance brand awareness.

3. Amplify SEO Performance

Websites that are easily navigable are given preference in search results by search engines such as Google.

Businesses can enhance their SEO performance and increase the discoverability of their content by employing accessibility best practices, including semantic HTML markup, alternative language for pictures, and informative headers.

4. Legal Compliance and Risk Mitigation

Ensuring the accessibility of digital information is not just a recommended practice but is mandated by law in several jurisdictions.

It reduces the danger of legal action and guarantees compliance with accessibility standards like the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), which specify the requirements for accessible web content.

Expert Tips to Ensure Content Discoverability by All

Online designers, developers, and content creators can utilize these web accessibility guidelines to create content that is completely accessible to all users.

1. Incorporate Verified Components for Accessibility

Include accessibility elements that have been tried and proven safe from the start of development to make your digital content more accessible.

The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 3.0 have been updated to incorporate cutting-edge technology, including wearables, virtual and augmented reality, multimedia, and mobile accessibility.

The standards include various devices, tools, and potential content. They offer a framework for future electronic functions and show how to make current devices simpler and more user-friendly.

2. Prioritize Clarity While Content Curation

Making your content as accessible as possible is a matter of user experience, so it should be a top concern. How should you approach content and availability, however? A single aspect describes it all: clarity.

One method to guarantee clarity is to present information in an ordered manner instead of paying scant attention to usability and content organization. Another strategy to promote clarity is to offer a variety of content access options, given that individuals consume content in multiple formats.

Clarity in content creation demands planning and intention, but the payoff is material that gives your viewers a remarkable experience.

3. Provide Text Replacements for Non-Textual Content

Any visitor must be able to access and comprehend any content on your website. For this reason, text equivalents must be provided for any non-text information, including pictures, videos, and audio snippets.

Provide an option for individuals who are unable to see or hear the information to still understand it, such as by including a transcript for videos or alternate text characteristics, sometimes known as “alt text,” for digital photos.

4. Use Audio and Video Transcripts

Transcripts are an effective method for providing a broad audience with comprehensible digital material that is based on audio and video.

A transcript is audio and visual information in written format. Users with hearing difficulty find a simple transcript to be a good alternative to audio-only material because it solely contains auditory data, such as speech.

Descriptive transcripts are accessible to people with poor vision, deafblindness, and visual impairments, especially individuals who utilize screen reader software. They use text to express every nuance that would be experienced by viewing and hearing a video.

5. Adhere to the Hierarchical Heading

Throughout your content, use headers to make it easy to skim while retaining the introduction of new concepts. The header styles on your website have a purpose beyond aesthetics.

One of the main ways people with assistive devices navigate material is through the header levels. Thus, altering the heading arrangement will cause more than simply visual confusion. It also prolongs the time it takes for people with impairments to consume content.

The title of each page on your website needs to be properly formatted as Heading 1 (h1). Make your way through the headers (h3, h4, etc.) in the content until you reach a fresh subject matter.

6. Include Infographics

Infographics are illustrations of easily understood and informative facts. Because they are in the format of images, they are also beneficial to the majority of those who like to post visual material on social networking sites.

With certain infographic tools, you can produce a professional-looking infographic without even having graphic design skills.

7. Explain Abbreviations and Acronyms

Always state words or phrases completely and include acronyms or abbreviations in brackets the first time you use them, in case there’s a possibility your audience doesn’t know what they are yet. You can then proceed to use the acronym or abbreviation for the subsequent mentions.

Top 8 Do’s of Creating Accessible Content

Creating content that is accessible to everyone is becoming increasingly important. Below are the top eight things to do to create accessibility solutions that are comprehensible to the widest possible audience.

1. Understand the Importance of Designing for Accessibility

It’s essential to understand why web design for accessibility is important. Also, what are the accessibility requirements for websites?

People with disabilities and others with limited resources should be able to access your content easily.

2. Use Clear and Concise Language

Make sure your text can easily be understood and absorbed by all users, regardless of their level of literacy or language proficiency.

Furthermore, use a simple, logical page layout to make it easier for users to navigate and absorb the content.

3. Choose an Appropriate Font Size

Select fonts that are easy to read and allow for easy scaling. The text should be in a 12-point font size or larger, as shown below, so that it is accessible to all audiences.

However, you can use a 9-point font size for footnotes.

4. Add Alternative Text to Images

Adding alternative text to images and graphics allows people with visual impairments to access the information in the image.

Thus, make sure to add alt text to the images to create highly accessible content.

5. Make Sure Color Isn’t the Only Way to Convey Information

Certain colors can be difficult for people with color blindness to distinguish. Always include a text option to receive the same message.

Web accessibility tools can help you understand these shortcomings when creating content.

6. Use Descriptive Links

Make sure the links you use make sense and that they provide a clear indication of where they lead.

For example, avoid using generic phrases like “click here”; provide more meaningful and descriptive link text instead.

7. Add Captions to Videos

Captions are essential for ensuring that deaf and hard-of-hearing people can watch and understand your video content. Furthermore, it is also a very helpful resource for non-native English speakers to better understand the content.

8. Test Your Content

Once you’ve created your content, make sure to test it to ensure it meets accessibility standards. Website accessibility testing will ensure that everyone can access and enjoy your content.

Creating accessible content is essential for providing the best user experience for all your users, and these 9 Do’s of creating accessible content will help you do just that.

Top 7 Don’ts of Creating Accessible Content

Creating content that is accessible to everyone should be a main priority, no matter the medium or topic. This means taking into account those who are visually impaired or have limited resources.

To ensure accessibility for all, here are seven things to avoid when creating content.

1. Steer Clear of PDFs and Other Files that Require Special Software to View

These can be difficult to access for those who lack certain programs on their computers or devices. Instead, opt for HTML or text formats that are accessible to all.

2. Skip Out on Making Images and Videos Too Long

Long videos or images can be difficult for some to take in and can be overwhelming for those who have short attention spans. Instead, opt for infographics or short videos with captions.

3. Don’t Forget About Alt Text

Adding alternative text to images allows screen readers and other devices to be able to access the content of an image and relay it back to those using them.

4. Avoid Using Complex Language and Jargon

Make sure to keep the language of your content simple and easy to understand, avoiding any jargon or difficult terms when you can.

5. Steer Clear of Using Too Many Distractions

Things like large text, moving images, and cluttered backgrounds can be distracting and hard to understand.

Thus, avoid using too many of them all at once. Use a simple text format with a few images.

6. Don’t Embed Videos or Audio Files

Audio and video files can be difficult to view for those with limited resources or low bandwidth.

Instead, include a link to the file so the viewer can choose when and how to access the content.

7. Don’t Ignore Web Page Organization and Structure

Web page structure and organization are important for all users to understand your content, but users with disabilities need to access and utilize your content.

Thus, do not omit headings and other structural elements that aid navigation and comprehension.

Is AI-Generated Content Accessible?

Although deep learning models can produce text with almost flawless grammar, programs like ChatGPT err on a spectrum of AI accessibility testing. They frequently adhere to rigorous guidelines and have little comprehension, which might result in dull, difficult-to-read writing.

Massive, complex text barriers aren’t the best for web users, and they may be particularly bothersome for those who use screen readers, have cognitive disabilities, or other physical constraints. However, by incorporating human review or automated accessibility testing tools, AI-generated content can be made easily accessible.

How Can AI-Generated Content Be Made Accessible?

You can employ AI chatbots as a tool rather than a whole method to create web content. Remember always to verify the result for precision and add your perspective.

Further, you can ensure web accessibility standards by placing your attention on the following details:

1. Ensure Clear and Organized Content

Long sentences can make reading difficult. Most instructional materials for writers advise keeping sentences between 20 and 25 words, yet some research indicates that shorter sentences are easier for all readers to understand. Clear content improves accessibility accessibility and benefits every user. Make sure to organize AI-generated content to be accessible to all.

2. Acronyms and Abbreviations Should Be Defined

Your content can be made simpler and easier to understand by using abbreviations. A screen reader cannot read acronyms; instead, it reads them out phonetically, which could come off as an amalgamation of consonants.

Undefined acronyms can be an issue for those who use screen magnifiers, struggle with memory, or have specific neuropsychological impairments. Hence, define abbreviations at least once to attain web accessibility standards.

3. Make Sure All Images Have Alt-Text or Image Alt Tags

People who use screen readers can benefit from adequately described alternative text added to photographs. It helps them better grasp the context of the graphic in conjunction with the content your web page delivers. You need to provide factually correct and accurate information to avoid confusion.

4. Break Longer Content Into Subheads

Long texts should be broken up using subheadings, numbered lists, and graphics. This not only helps those who struggle with dyslexia, autism, and other cognitive impairments, but it also makes reading a better experience for all readers.

Make sure to include proper HTML. If you don’t use header tags to indicate your subheadings, a screen reader user cannot navigate your website easily.

Can AI Tools Be Used to Achieve Web Accessibility Standards?

AI accessibility tools are vital in improving web spaces for people with disabilities. Though manual testing is a prerequisite to achieve accessibility compliance, AI tools can be of huge success for carrying out quick and budget-friendly tasks.

Here are some ways in which AI accessibility tools can help organizations ensure accessibility for websites.

1. Use Automatic Captioning for accessibility Standards

To make your content accessible, captions are necessary. If your media doesn’t include proper subtitles, several individuals with hearing impairments or others who browse the web silently won’t find it helpful.

Automatic captioning tools transform speech into text and are growing more effective. Linking word pronunciations in the training information allows machine learning models to reduce inaccuracies.

2. AI Tools Can Generate Markup and Code for accessibility Compliance

Many individuals browse the web with assistive technology (AT), such as screen readers. These tools are dependent on markup. AI technologies are made to translate natural language to code, which makes the job easier.

However, human review is required to overcome inaccuracies. AI models can lessen the workload of talented developers, thus removing a significant barrier to accessibility accessibility.

3. Image Identification Tools Can Enhance the User Experience for Web accessibility

A frequent accessibility concern is the absence of alternative text for images (also known as alt text or alt tags). All non-text content must comply with WCAG standards and include alternative text that allows users to comprehend the meaning of visual content without actually seeing it.

Text extraction, image content identification, and image moderation can be done using AI models. However, AI image descriptions must be accurately represented to be beneficial, much like subtitles and markup.

Challenges of Using AI Accessibility Tools for Accessibility Compliance

Accessibility for websites may be made simpler by artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, but these tools have some limitations. They cannot make decisions, deliver error-free data, and genuinely comprehend the experiences of people with impairments.

Machine learning models will become essential tools as they advance. They may significantly lessen the workload associated with accessibility, but supervision by humans is still necessary. However, you must consider your users at every level of the approach if you want to design products that are useful to real people.

AI accessibility tools can be helpful, but you should not completely rely on them when implementing an accessibility strategy due to the increase in accessibility litigation each year. The advantages of web design for accessibility significantly exceed the expenses. By giving users with disabilities a top priority, your company will be well-positioned to gain from the AI revolution.

Summing Up

It is possible to overlook certain essential components that play a crucial role in making your content accessible. Your website may contain a ton of graphics, headlines, and links, which would make it quite time-consuming to verify everything twice.

Well, if you are looking for digital solutions to enhance your content’s discoverability, you’re in luck. Hurix Digital provides end-to-end accessibility solutions to make your website discoverable by all.

From enhancing user experience to designing inclusive applications, get the most out of our accessibility services.

Book a demo call with us today!