Making your website accessible to everyone is not only the right thing to do, but it can also help you attract more customers. In this blog post, we will discuss some common WordPress accessibility issues and how to fix them. We will also talk about some best practices for making your website more inclusive for all users, like using tools such as accessiBe WordPress.
What is WordPress accessibility, and why should you care?
WordPress accessibility refers to the practice of making your website accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability or disability. This includes people who are blind, have low vision, are deaf or hard of hearing, have mobility impairments, or have cognitive disabilities.
Making your WordPress site accessible is important for several reasons. First and foremost, it’s the right thing to do. Everyone deserves to have equal access to information and content online. Secondly, accessible websites are good for business. You can expand your potential customer base and tap into an often-overlooked market by making your site inclusive. Finally, accessible websites tend to be more user-friendly for everyone. When you make your site accessible, you are also making it easier to use for everyone.
How to fix common WordPress accessibility issues
There are several ways to make your WordPress site more accessible. Below are some common accessibility issues and how to fix them:
Issue: Your site is not navigable using a keyboard
Fix: Add keyboard navigation to your site. This can be done by adding “tabindex” attributes to your links and form elements.
Issue: Your site is not responsive
Fix: Make sure your site is responsive to be viewed on all devices, including mobile phones and tablets. You can do this by using a responsive theme or plugin.
Issue: Your site has low contrast
Fix: Increase the contrast on your site to make it easier to read. You can do this by using a high-contrast color scheme or adding an accessibility widget to your site.
Issue: Your site uses too much animation
Fix: Reduce the amount of animation on your site. This can be done by removing unnecessary animations or making them optional.
Best practices for making your website more inclusive
In addition to fixing common accessibility issues, you can follow several best practices to make your website more inclusive. Some of these include:
• Using clear and concise language
• Adding alt text to images
• Providing captions for videos
• Creating transcripts for audio content
• Offering different ways to consume content (e.g., text, audio, video)
Additional resources on WordPress accessibility
For more information on WordPress accessibility, check out the following resources:
• WordPress Accessibility Handbook
• WordPress Accessibility Team
• Make WordPress Accessible
• WP ADA Compliance Checklist
Other FAQs about WordPress Accessibility
Q: Do I need to make my entire website accessible?
A: No, you don’t need to make your entire website accessible. However, we recommend making as much of your site accessible as possible.
Q: What are some common accessibility issues with WordPress?
A: Some common accessibility issues with WordPress include low contrast, lack of keyboard navigation, and use of too much animation.
Q: How can I make my WordPress site more accessible?
A: There are several ways to make your WordPress site more accessible. You can start by fixing common accessibility issues and following best practices for inclusive design.