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This section is part of the Introduction to Accessibility ebook content.
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Or, “ways to level up in accessibility”
These improvements are not meant to be exhaustive, but to serve as a starting point. Sometimes constraints on frameworks, third-party platforms, etc may restrict what you can improve; however, these improvements are going to give the maximum improvement with minimal configuration involved.
• Are inputs and interactions navigable using a keyboard?
◦ Impact: not only do data entry users prefer keyboard when going through spreadsheets or when filling out forms, keyboard users also can include people with chronic pain, or people using systems or browsers that may render mouse interactions differently (Windows and Mac) or using assistive technologies that parse programmatically through the document-object model of the webpage. More testing may be needed for screen reader users for content.
• Are there multiple points of contact – email, website contact form, company phone number?
◦ Impact: this helps not only in cases of failure of any one of them (like issues with cell phone signal in an office building or website bugs) but also helps provide a method that is accessible to multiple groups of people of all ages and abilities.
• Am I using the word “accessibility” and clarifying any overlapping meanings?
◦ Impact: we use “accessibility” in different but overlapping ways. For example, saying a building or event is accessible can mean that the building is available to reach via public transit, not necessarily that a wheelchair user can navigate once within the building. or that event information at that building is in digitally accessible formats. We also use accessibility to mean economic access: such as the cost of an event ticket to a member of the public. It also helps against stigma: saying “accessible parking space” is preferred over “disabled or handicapped parking space”. Be kind and clarify!
• Does a user know where they are in finding information and what their next steps can include?
◦ Impact: this improves the usability for everyone. Who among us has not gotten distracted and needing to find information such as account information – that could be in multiple places on a website? Or configuration information? This also ensures information architecture and hierarchies (headings, etc) reflect what you want the application or website to do.
• Are there any obvious risks or intrusive content such as frequent flashes, or animation that could cause physical harm?
◦ Impact: epilepsy triggers, migraine triggers. Autoplaying sound and animation can also take programmatic focus away from keyboard or interrupt a screen reader. This can also be considered too distracting for people without photosensitive conditions.
• If posting on social media or using images, do those images require alt-text?
◦ Alt-text is used to convey meaning and information. Sometimes, images are meant to be decorative flourishes and do not need alt text. However, images that include text or images that reflect some meaning – for example, a grouping of spring flowers to indicate spring, or carved pumpkins to represent Halloween – might require you to think about why that image is included, and what you want to emphasize in it.
◦ Alt-text impacts those who have slow connections, need clarification on what about the image is important (intended meaning), and impacts screen reader users or users with low vision. It can also help users who are dealing with issues like graphic loading issues or dealing with glare, adverse lighting conditions, or other situational or temporary conditions.
• Are there colors representing meaning or information, like distinguishing a link ONLY by color, or color-coding to indicate statuses like success or failure?
◦ Within the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines there are criteria about non-text content and a criteria referred to as “not only color” – i.e., you can have a green button that says “Complete Registration”. That’s fine. But referring to said button as just the green button, or NOT having that text label? It can get confusing quickly! ◦ Links should also be distinguished from body text and NOT only through color. You can still change the color of a link; however, it is best to also include something like an underline, to ensure clarity in different lighting conditions, acknowledge people who are colorblind or reliant on clear labeling. It helps everyone to know where they are, what the status is, and where they need to go.