General best practices in creating accessible content include simple ways to enhance readability for all users, including:
Text Alternatives for Non-Text Content
- Provide text equivalents (e.g., alt text) for images, icons, and other non-text elements to assist users utilizing screen readers.
Multimedia Accessibility
- For audio-only content, supply text transcripts.
- For video content, offer synchronized captions and, if necessary, audio descriptions to convey visual information.
Keyboard Accessibility
- Ensure all interactive elements, such as links, buttons, and form fields, are operable via keyboard alone, facilitating access for users with mobility impairments.
Clear and Consistent Navigation
- Maintain a logical and consistent navigation structure across pages to aid users in understanding and moving through the content.
Sufficient Color Contrast
- Use text and background color combinations that provide adequate contrast, enhancing readability for users with visual impairments.
Resizable Text
- Design content that allows users to resize text up to 200% without loss of functionality or clarity, accommodating those with low vision.
Avoidance of Flashing Content
- Refrain from using content that flashes more than three times per second to prevent triggering seizures in susceptible individuals.
Accessible Forms
- Label form fields clearly and provide instructions to ensure users with assistive technologies can interact with forms effectively.
Descriptive Links
- Use meaningful link text that clearly indicates the destination or purpose, aiding users in understanding the context without needing additional information.
Consistent Identification
- Ensure that elements with the same functionality are identified consistently across the site, reducing confusion for users.