Websites

Select a theme that is already accessibility-ready.

• Choose fonts that are easy to read.
  • Web-safe sans-serif fonts include Arial, Tahoma, Trebuchet MS, or Verdana.
  • Web-safe serif fonts include Courier New, Garamond, Georgia, and Times New Roman.
• Don’t use background images behind text.
• Use a second form of emphasis when using color, and check for appropriate color contrast.
• For all images, provide alt text.
• Do not include flashing elements.

Write site content with accessibility in mind:

• Divide up large blocks of text.
• Ensure all files (Word docs, PDFs, multimedia presentations, videos, etc.) are accessible.
• Describe images in the text as well as providing alt text.

• Use the WordPress tools for headings, quotations, and bulleted/numbered lists.
• Headings should always start with H1, then H2, in order, etc.
• Use Headings, not just bold text.
• Review Getting Started with Accessibility for more information on headings.

When tables are necessary, use appropriate markup:

• Check the HTML source code for tables to ensure cells are read in a logical order.
• Use table markup: TH for data table headers, TD for cells, CAPTION for a table description, etc.
• Review the Complex Table Inspector site and WebAIM’s Creating Accessible Tables tutorial for additional resources.

Create navigation that is logical and consistent.

• All pages should have meaningful, descriptive titles.
• Include “skip to main content” link at the top of each page so screen readers don’t have to hear the full menu on each new page.
• Do not include pop-up boxes or items that change when a cursor hovers over them.

Use properly formed hyperlinks to descriptively tell users where they are going and what happens when they click on the link.

Example: Accessibility at UNCG versus accessibility.uncg.edu.

Steps to creating a hyperlink:

• Select text and use WordPress icon to create a link.
• If editing a link, click edit icon. Select link options. Check “Open link in a new tab.” In Link Text, state “(opens in a new window).”

Images, multimedia presentations, videos, audios, and non-text items:

• Provide text equivalents for all non-text items, such as closed captioning for videos, transcripts for audio, an accessible PDF for multimedia presentations, and alt text for images.
• Do not include images of text; instead, type the actual text.

• Clearly label each field within a form.
• Check that all elements within a form are usable without a mouse.
• Ensure appropriate markup like INPUT, TEXTAREA, and SELECT elements have descriptive labels.
• Review WebAIM Forms for more information.

Test your site’s accessibility by entering the web address into the WAVE tool.

• After running the report, read the errors.
• Click the second tab to read the details of errors and where they occur.
• Adjust your site to resolve the errors.

Because not everything can be measured or fixed by automated tools, check your site manually for accessibility issues.