Did you know that 1 in 5 people in the world has a disability? In the United States, that number is even higher, with 1 in 4 people living with a disability. That’s a lot of people who could benefit from accessible websites that use tools like accessiBe WordPress.
Accessibility isn’t just about making sure everyone can use your website. It’s also about making sure your website is available to as many people as possible. That’s why accessibility should be a key consideration for any website, especially if you want to reach a global audience.
While WordPress is generally a very accessible platform, there are still some situations where you’ll need to take extra steps to make sure your site is fully accessible. Here are ten situations when you should think about WordPress accessibility:
When you’re creating a new theme
If you’re planning on creating a new WordPress theme, it’s important to make sure it’s accessible from the start. That way, you won’t have to go back and make changes later.
When creating a new theme, pay attention to things like color contrast, font size, and layout. These are all important factors in accessibility.
When you’re installing a new plugin
Just like themes, plugins can also impact the accessibility of your website. So before you install a new plugin, take a moment to research whether or not it’s accessible.
When you’re using an existing theme or plugin
If you’re using an existing theme or plugin that wasn’t created with accessibility in mind, you can still do some things to make it more accessible.
For example, you can add alt text to images and use headings and lists to structure your content. You can also make sure your color contrast is high enough to meet accessibility standards.
When you’re designing your website
As you’re designing your website, keep accessibility in mind. For example, make sure your text is large enough to be easily readable. You should also pay attention to color contrast and make sure your site can be navigated using only a keyboard.
When you’re adding new content
Whenever you add new content to your website, take a moment to consider its accessibility. For example, if you’re adding an image, include alt text. If you’re adding a video, provide captions.
When you’re updating your content
When you update your content, it’s also important to think about accessibility. For example, if you change the color of a link, make sure the new color has enough contrast. Likewise, if you remove an image, remove the alt text.
When you’re making changes to your website
Any time you make changes to your website, it’s a good idea to check that those changes haven’t impacted the accessibility of your site. For example, if you change the font size, make sure it’s still large enough to be easily readable.
When you’re testing your website
It’s important to test your website regularly to ensure it’s still accessible. You can use a tool like WAVE to check for accessibility issues. You can also test your site using a screen reader to see how it sounds to someone who can’t see the screen.
When you’re getting feedback from users
If you receive feedback from users that they’re having difficulty accessing your website, take that feedback seriously. It’s important to address any accessibility issues as soon as possible.
When you’re thinking about the future
Accessibility is important not only for the present but also for the future. As new technologies emerge, it’s important to make sure your website will still be accessible to everyone.
