4 What To Avoid When Building a Website for People With Disabilities

You probably want to make sure as many people can access your website as possible. This includes people with disabilities. There are a lot of people who live with disabilities every day, and you need to make sure that your website is compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act if you want people to be able to access your website. What are a few of the most important elements you need to avoid if you are constructing a website that is accessible to people with disabilities? Learn more below, and consider using the accessiBe scanner to help you make sure that all aspects of your website are accessible to people who live with disabilities.

1. Flashing Elements

If you want to make sure your website is easy for people with disabilities to access, try to stay away from elements that flash too much. Even though flashing elements are a great way to get someone’s attention, flashing elements can also trigger a seizure. There are lots of people who live with epilepsy, and if they are exposed to flashing lights, they could develop a seizure. Even though it is okay to have elements that light up, try to make sure they do not flash more than 3 times in a single second. Otherwise, you could end up triggering a seizure in one of your visitors. Take a look at a few accessiBe reviews to learn more about how this software program can make sure your website is easy for people with disabilities to access.

2. Video-Only Content

Even though videos are great for search engine optimization, you need to make sure there is always alternative content available. It is okay to have videos on your website, but there are some people with disabilities who might experience barriers when enjoying them. Therefore, you need to make sure you provide closed captioning for your videos. That way, even if someone is having a difficult time hearing what the people they’re saying, they can read the content as it goes along.

3. Images Without Text Descriptions

How is someone who is blind going to interact with your website? They are probably going to use a screen reader to interpret the content on the page. Screen readers have come a long way, and they make it easier for someone with visual disabilities to access the content on your website. At the same time, what are they going to do if there is an image that is integral to the content on your page? You need to make sure you provide alt text for those images. Alt text is important not only for search engines but also for people who might not be able to see the images. Always test the alternative text attached to the image before you decide to launch the website.

4. Timed Elements

Finally, you should also try to stay away from timed elements on your website. You might have content that is only displayed for a certain amount of time before it goes away. If you sell products and services on your website, you might require someone to complete the checkout process within a certain amount of time. Even though timing might be important for your business, it can also be inequitable for someone with a disability. Therefore, it is better to avoid timed elements. That way, you give everyone an opportunity to complete everything before the content goes away.

Avoid These Elements on Your Website

Ultimately, these are just a few examples of website elements you might want to stay away from if you are constructing a website for people with disabilities to access. Even though you are probably focused on building a website that has the right content, you need to make sure everyone can access the content on your page. If you use a tool that can help you, you can make sure that your website is compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Consider reaching out to an expert who can help you build a website that is accessible to everyone.