Accessibility requirements are increasingly important for higher education institutions, and rightfully so. But what does it mean to have an accessible website? An accessible website ensures that all users, including those with disabilities, can navigate and interact with your content effectively.
This is achieved by adhering to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 (or 2.2), which provide internationally recognized standards for digital accessibility. While these guidelines cover a wide range of technical and design principles, there are simple, non-technical improvements you can implement today to make your site more inclusive. Here are five quick and impactful changes that you can make on your website today.
1. Links opening in the same tab vs. a new tab
When links open in a new tab without warning, it can confuse users, especially those relying on screen readers or assistive technologies and those on mobile devices.
For accessibility, it is important to open links in the same window unless it’s:
- Context-sensitive information (if the user needs to refer to the original content to accomplish their task)
- An external file
Check to see if your links are opening in a new tab vs the same tab. If opening a new tab is required, include a clear indicator in the link text, such as “(opens in a new tab),” to help users anticipate the behavior. Clear link behavior is a simple step that can significantly enhance your higher education website design's usability.
2. Make your text links descriptive
Avoid using generic phrases like “Click here” or “Read more” for links. Instead, make link text descriptive so users know exactly what to expect. For example, instead of “Learn more,” use “Learn more about financial aid options.” This practice benefits everyone, including users navigating via screen readers.
Users who rely on screen readers, as well as those with dexterity issues, often navigate websites using the keyboard. Imagine tabbing through a site and landing on a link that simply says “click here.” Without context, the link creates confusion. A user-friendly, accessible design eliminates this problem.
3. Proper use of alt text
Alt text provides a textual description of images for users who cannot see them. Write concise and meaningful alt text that conveys the purpose of the image. It is important only to add alt text to images that convey important meaning that visually impared users would not otherwise be able to access. For example, if you had an infographic or a chart on your website, you would definitely want to add alt text so visually impaired users could still access that information. However, if you have a photo of 3 students sitting under a tree, you would likely not want to include alt text as that photo is purely decorative and does not convey any valuable information.
Avoid phrases like “Image of” or “Picture of” and focus on the essential information, the screenreader reads the words “image” before the alt text, so it would be redundant to have it say image twice. For decorative images, leave the alt attribute empty (alt="") to prevent unnecessary interruptions for screen readers.
This practice is crucial for ADA-compliant accessible website design and aligns with WCAG-certified accessible website design standards. I
4. Add clear headings & structure
Organizing content with properly nested headings (H1 for the page title, H2 for subheadings, etc.) creates a logical hierarchy. This structure helps screen readers and assistive technologies navigate the page more effectively. Clear headings also improve the browsing experience for all users, making it easier to scan and find relevant information, and is great for SEO as well.
- Make sure that the Heading 1 (H1) is only reserved for the page title.
- Your first heading should always be an H2.
- An H2 can be followed by another H2 (if it is a new section) or an H3 (if it is a sub-section), but you should never skip from H2 to H4. It's imperative that you do not skip heading levels.
- Similarly, and H3 can be followed by another H3 if it is a new sub-section, and H4 if it is a subsection of the H3, or back out to an H2 if it is an entirely new section.
- Avoid using bold text in place of headings when possible.
5. Add captions and transcripts to audio and video
Multimedia content can be a significant barrier for users with hearing or visual impairments. Adding captions to videos ensures that users who are deaf or hard of hearing can follow along. Transcripts provide a textual version of both audio and video content, benefiting users who prefer to read or need a searchable format.
Many video hosting platforms, like YouTube, offer tools to create captions, making this an easy step to improve accessibility for all users.
By implementing these simple accessibility improvements, you can make your website more inclusive and user-friendly for all visitors. Small changes like using descriptive text for links, ensuring proper alt text, and adding captions to multimedia content have a significant impact, especially for users with disabilities. These adjustments not only help you comply with WCAG guidelines but also enhance the overall user experience, making your site easier to navigate and interact with. Accessibility is not just a requirement—it’s an opportunity to create a more welcoming and equitable digital space for everyone. Start today with these actionable tips and contribute to a more inclusive online environment.
Looking to take it a step further and do a website redesign? We specialize in creating accessible, user friendly websites for higher-education institutions.
