Making a WordPress website more accessible for people with disabilities can be a challenge, but it’s definitely worth the effort. Not only is it the right thing to do, but there are also many benefits to be had by making your website accessible to everyone. In this article, we will discuss some ways to make your accessiBe WordPress site more disability-friendly. We will also cover some of the common disabilities that people experience and provide tips on how to accommodate them. Let’s get started.
Choose the right theme
One of the first things you can do to make your WordPress site more accessible is to choose a theme designed with accessibility in mind. Several great themes offer features like high contrast colors, large font sizes, and easy-to-navigate menus. If you’re not sure where to start, search Google for a list of the best WordPress themes for accessibility.
Install an accessibility plugin
Another great way to make your WordPress site more accessible is to install an accessibility plugin. These plugins add text-to-speech, screen reader support, and keyboard navigation features. A few of our favorite plugins include Accessible Poetry, WP Accessibility Helper, and Simple WAI-ARIA Tabs.
Don’t forget about alt text
One of the most important accessibility features for images is alt text. Alt-text is a short description of an image displayed in place of the image if it can’t be shown for some reason. It’s also read aloud by screen readers, so it’s vital for people who are blind or have low vision. When adding images to your WordPress site, include alt text for each image.
Be sure your site is keyboard navigable
Another important accessibility feature is keyboard navigation. This allows people to use a keyboard instead of a mouse to navigate your site. To ensure your site is keyboard navigable, be sure all links can be accessed with the tab key and that there are no “traps” where someone could get stuck.
Test the site with a screen reader
Once you’ve made all of the changes, it’s important to test your site with a screen reader. This will allow you to hear how your site sounds to someone blind or with low vision. There are many great screen readers available, but our favorite is NVDA.
Use an accessibility checking tool
In addition to testing your site with a screen reader, you should run it through an accessibility checking tool. These tools will help you find issues that you may have missed. We recommend using the WAVE Web Accessibility Evaluation Tool. Another great option is the Google Chrome Accessibility Developer Tools.
Be sure to keep testing and improving
Even after making all of the changes, it’s accessiBe WordPress important to keep testing and improving your site. As new technologies become available, you’ll want to ensure that your site is still accessible. Additionally, as your site grows and changes, you’ll want to be sure that accessibility is still a priority.
The final word on making WordPress accessible
Making a WordPress site more accessible can be challenging, but it’s definitely worth the effort. By following the tips in this article, you can make your site more disability-friendly and provide a better experience for all of your users. Thanks for reading! We hope this article was helpful.
