5 Web Accessibility Examples

1. Keyboard Control  

Designing websites that can be navigated solely by keyboard is essential for creating an accessible digital environment. Many users rely on keyboards instead of a mouse to interact with web pages, including people with motor disabilities, visual impairments, or those using assistive devices like screen readers.

For example, individuals who have difficulty with precise movements might find a mouse challenging, while screen reader users depend on keyboard commands to access content. Ensuring that every part of a website is accessible via keyboard means all users can move through it seamlessly, from navigating menus to filling out forms. 

Keyboard-friendly design also benefits a broader audience beyond those with disabilities. Power users, for instance, often prefer keyboard shortcuts for efficiency, while those with temporary injuries or aging users with decreased mobility might find it simpler to navigate with a keyboard.  

Making a website keyboard-accessible often involves refining the tab order, highlighting focused elements, and ensuring that interactive components like dropdowns and modals respond intuitively to keystrokes. This level of accessibility signals a commitment to inclusive design, allowing all users to engage with online content comfortably and equally. 

2. High Visual Contrast Ratio

Building websites with a high visual contrast ratio is vital for accessibility, as it ensures that text and key visual elements stand out clearly against their background, benefiting a wide range of users.  

People with visual impairments, color blindness, or age-related vision decline often struggle with low-contrast designs, where text may blend into the background or appear faint. By using high-contrast colors, web designers can improve readability, making it easier for everyone to consume information without strain.  

Like other accessibility standards, this approach doesn't just benefit those with diagnosed visual conditions—it also enhances the user experience in low-light conditions, on small screens, or in environments with screen glare.

High contrast also promotes a universally inclusive experience. When key elements like buttons, links, and headings are clearly distinguishable, all users can navigate a website more intuitively.  

Meeting contrast standards, such as those outlined by the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), is an important part of legal compliance for accessibility and demonstrates a commitment to inclusivity. Effective contrast design is not only functional but also enhances the aesthetic and professional appeal of a website, drawing attention to content and improving usability for every visitor. 

3. Breadcrumbs  

Incorporating breadcrumb navigation into websites is a crucial accessibility practice that enhances ease of use, especially for those with a short attention span or issues with focusing.  

Breadcrumbs provide a clear, concise path showing a user’s location within a website’s hierarchy, helping them understand where they are in relation to other sections. This feature reduces cognitive load by offering a straightforward way to backtrack or explore related areas without needing to rely on browser navigation or repeatedly scanning large menus.  

For those who might find complex site structures overwhelming, breadcrumbs offer a reassuring, structured guide.

Breadcrumbs also improve overall site navigation for everyone, including users who are quickly scanning content or have arrived at a page through an external link. With breadcrumbs in place, users can easily access higher-level categories and related sections without starting from the homepage, fostering a more intuitive browsing experience.  

Accessible breadcrumb navigation also follows best practices for usability by providing a consistent, predictable structure. This not only supports assistive technology users, who can quickly orient themselves within a website, but also makes the site more user-friendly and inviting for all. 

4. Increasing Text Size  

Ensuring that websites support text size zooming is essential for accessibility, as it allows users to adjust content to a size that is comfortable for reading without disrupting the user experience. Many individuals with visual impairments or age-related vision changes rely on zooming features to clearly see text and interface elements.  

By designing websites to maintain readability and layout integrity when zoomed in, web developers ensure that users do not lose information off the screen or have to scroll horizontally to follow text. This approach promotes a more inclusive browsing experience, allowing people of all visual abilities to consume content without frustration or eye strain.

Text size zooming also supports accessibility on various devices and screen sizes. When users view a website on a mobile device, for instance, they may need to increase text size for readability. Websites optimized for zoom ensure that all users, regardless of device or visual needs, can interact with content seamlessly.  

Additionally, enabling smooth, responsive zoom functionality aligns with WCAG, which recommend that users be able to zoom text up to 200% without losing content or functionality. This commitment to flexible, user-centered design makes websites more adaptable and accessible, empowering everyone to access information comfortably. 

5. Adding Alt Text

Adding alt text to images is a fundamental aspect of web accessibility, ensuring that visually impaired users can fully understand and engage with online content. Alt text, or alternative text, provides a descriptive label for images that screen readers can convey to users, offering context where visuals would otherwise be inaccessible.

For example, if an image contains essential information, like a chart or a step-by-step guide, descriptive alt text allows visually impaired users to grasp that content. Without alt text, these users might miss critical details, limiting their understanding of the webpage and undermining an inclusive experience.

Alt text also plays a role in web usability and search engine optimization (SEO). It assists search engines in indexing images, potentially improving a site’s visibility and reach. Beyond that, if an image fails to load, the alt text provides a fallback, informing all users about the image's intended message or purpose.

Well-written alt text captures the essence of an image concisely, aiding those with disabilities while improving accessibility for everyone. By adhering to this standard, websites are more inclusive, helping all users, regardless of their abilities, access and understand visual content.