Accessibility Matters

Accessibility Matters
Written by
Wilco team
December 25, 2024
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```html Accessibility Matters: Building Inclusive Digital Products

Accessibility Matters: Building Inclusive Digital Products

When building a product, accessibility (a.k.a a11y) should be a top priority. This post dives deep into why a11y matters and how to implement it in your projects. By the end, you'll have a solid understanding of key accessibility principles and how to apply them.

Table of Contents

Why Accessibility Matters

Accessibility is about inclusivity. It ensures that everyone, including persons with disabilities, can fully engage with technology and digital content.

Understanding Accessibility

Accessibility isn't just about catering for disability. It has wide-ranging implications, including color and font choices, and even internet speed. Let's explore these aspects further.

Colors and Fonts

Choosing the right color and font can have a significant impact on a user's experience. Consider users with color blindness or dyslexia. Here's an example of how to use CSS to implement accessible fonts and colors:


    /* Accessible CSS */
    body {
        font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; /* Good for dyslexia */
        color: #333; /* High contrast for readability */
        background-color: #fff; /* High contrast for readability */
    }
    

Internet Speed

Not everyone has access to high-speed internet. Optimizing your site to load quickly even on slower connections is a key aspect of accessibility.

Implementing Accessibility

Implementing accessibility can seem daunting, but with the right strategies and tools, it's manageable. Let's explore some practical ways to implement accessibility in your projects.

Using ARIA

ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) is a set of attributes that define ways to make web content more accessible. Here is an example:


    <button aria-label="Close" onclick="myDialog.close()">X</button>
    

Testing for Accessibility

There are several tools available for testing the accessibility of your application. Some include WAVE and axe.

Top 10 Key Takeaways

  1. Accessibility matters for inclusivity.
  2. It's not just about disability; colors, fonts, and internet speed matter too.
  3. Use high contrast colors for readability.
  4. Choose fonts that are easy to read, such as sans-serif fonts.
  5. Optimize your site to load quickly on slower connections.
  6. Use ARIA attributes to make your web content more accessible.
  7. Test your application for accessibility using tools like WAVE and axe.
  8. Keep learning and improving your understanding of accessibility.
  9. Make accessibility a priority in your projects.
  10. Remember, an accessible web is a better web for everyone.

Ready to start learning? Start the quest now

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