What is 'Web Accessibility'?

Simple definition:  'Web Accessibility' means that people with disabilities can use the Web.

To clarify, this means that people with disabilities can perceive, understand, navigate, interact with the Web, and can contribute to the Web. Note that Web Accessibility also benefits those with temporary or conditional disabilities which in some cases may be aging (declining vision or muscle response), slow internet connection, broken hand, etc.

Building an item in an accessible manner is 'tagging' elements (marking them with HTML tags) in the hidden source code -- this basically allows a screen reader to 'read' the item like a webpage.

NOTE:  It is easier & faster to create an item accessible from the start rather than fixing it (remediating it) after it's finished.

Web Accessibility: Essential for Some, Useful for All

Briefly, 'Accessibility' involves the following:

  • Good Color Contrast

  • Complex Image Description

  • Form Fields: Labels, Focus

  • Headings & unique Titles

  • Image Alt Text

  • Keyboard Navigation

  • Links: Readable & unique

  • Perception/Styling

  • Valid Reading Order

  • Table Headers

  • Video: Caption & Transcript

  • Clearly written content

Great simple Accessibility Checklist with explanations (mouseover the checkboxes in the list)

Great Explanation Videos

The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) is proud to announce a video series covering a variety of topics on digital access in education, including how people with disabilities use technology, applicable Federal regulations, and identifying and remediating barriers to access.  

Whether you are in the educational field or not, these videos have wide ranging coverage for those who want to know: What makes technology accessible for individuals with disabilities? And how can I make my site or platform more accessible?

ADA Info & OCR Videos