Running a Web Accessibility Audit

Web accessibility is a critical aspect of website design and development, ensuring that all users, regardless of their abilities or disabilities, can access and interact with online content. Unfortunately since most elements of accessibility are not easily noticeable without use of a screen reader, accessibility can often be forgotten by inexperienced developers.

What is Web Accessibility?

Web accessibility refers to the practice of making websites usable by people of all abilities and disabilities. This includes individuals with visual, auditory, motor, or cognitive impairments. By focusing on accessibility, you ensure that your website is navigable and understandable for everyone, which is not only a matter of inclusivity but also a legal requirement in many cases.

Web Accessibility Standards

Web accessibility is governed by various standards and legal requirements, the most notable being the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). These guidelines are part of a series of web accessibility standards created by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). They provide a framework for making web content more accessible, primarily for people with disabilities but also for all user interfaces and devices.

Web Accessibility Checkers

Luckily, there are some free tools out there that can help you easily identify any accessibility errors on your site.

accessScan

Web accessibility tool Accessibe has created a free accessibility checker called accessScan. Simply enter your site URL on accessScan, and it will generate a clear report identifying any necessary updates for you to become compliant.

WAVE

WAVE (Website Accessibility Evaluation Tool) by WebAIM is a highly respected online tool that evaluates the accessibility of web content. You can visit WAVE to analyze your website and receive immediate feedback on accessibility issues that need addressing.

Accessibility in Webflow

Webflow Accessibility Checklist

Webflow provides a comprehensive accessibility checklist which can be found at webflow.com/accessibility/checklist. This checklist is an amazing resource for Webflow developers because it includes links to tutorials on how to fix any accessibility issue in Webflow.

ARIA

Accessible Rich Internet Applications (ARIA) is one of the most commonly missed requirements in web accessibility. They help screen readers understand what is happening on your website, providing context to elements that might not be immediately apparent.

In Webflow, you can add ARIA attributes by:

1. Selecting an Element: Click on the element you wish to label.
2. Accessing Settings: Open the settings panel for the element.
3. Adding ARIA attributes: In the 'Attributes' section, add a new attribute name and value.

You can find documentation on the different ARIA roles and attributes at MDN Web Docs.

Implementing an effective web accessibility audit involves understanding accessibility principles, utilizing the right tools, and making necessary adjustments to your website. By following these guidelines and regularly checking your site with tools like Accessibe, WAVE, and others, you can ensure that your website is accessible to all users, fulfilling both ethical responsibilities and legal requirements.

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