Why Your Navigation Menu Needs Accessibility

When you visit a website, one of the first things you probably notice is the navigation menu. It’s usually at the top or on the side of the page, guiding you to different parts of the site. Think of it as the roadmap to all the good stuff a website has to offer. But what happens if that roadmap isn’t clear? This is where accessible navigation menus come into play.

Let’s dive into what a web navigation menu is, common accessibility challenges, why they matter, and how you can make yours more accessible!

What is a Website Navigation Menu & Structure?

A navigation menu is a list of links or buttons usually found at the top or side of a website. These links guide users to different sections of the site, like the homepage, about page, blog, or contact page. Think of it as a roadmap that helps visitors get where they want to go without wandering aimlessly.

The structure of a navigation menu can vary from simple to complex, depending on the size and type of website. Most websites use one or more of these types of menus:

Horizontal Menus: Commonly found at the top of a webpage.
Vertical Menus: Often located on the left or right side of a webpage.
Dropdown Menus: This appears when you hover over or click a menu item.
Hamburger Menus: Those three stacked lines you see on mobile websites or apps.

The structure needs to be clear and intuitive so users can find what they’re looking for quickly and easily. For example, if you’re on an online store’s website, you’d expect to find “Products” in the main menu, not buried under “About Us.”

When the navigation is well-organized, visitors can explore your site and enjoy their experience. But if it’s confusing or hard to use, people might leave — and that’s not good for any website.

Common Accessibility Challenges with Navigation Menus

Creating a navigation menu might seem simple, but there are a few common accessibility challenges that can make it tricky for some users to navigate. Here are a few examples:

Keyboard Navigation: Not everyone uses a mouse. Some people rely on a keyboard or other assistive devices to move around a website. If your menu isn’t keyboard-friendly, it can be impossible for these users to access parts of your site.
Screen Readers: Screen readers are tools that help people with visual impairments by reading the text on the screen out loud. If your menu isn’t designed with screen readers in mind, it might not make sense to the user.
Color Contrast: If the text in your menu doesn’t have enough contrast with the background, it can be hard for people with visual impairments to read. For example, light gray text on a white background might look sleek, but it’s not easy for everyone to see.
Dropdown Menus: Dropdown menus are those extra links that appear when you hover over a main menu item. They can be challenging for screen readers and keyboard users if not properly coded.

Why Are Accessible Navigation Menus Important?

Accessible navigation menus aren’t just about being kind or doing the right thing—they’re also good for business. When your site is accessible, it’s usable by everyone, including people with disabilities. This means you’re not excluding potential customers or visitors, which can lead to a better return on investment (ROI).

Additionally, accessibility is a legal requirement under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in the United States. Websites that don’t comply with these guidelines can face lawsuits, which can be costly and damage your brand’s reputation.

Simply put, investing in web accessibility isn’t just good ethics—it’s good business.

Features of an Accessible Navigation Menu

To make sure your navigation menu is accessible, you should include several features. These features align with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), the go-to standards for web accessibility.

1. Keyboard Accessibility (WCAG 2.1.1 – Keyboard Accessible):

Keyboard accessibility is one of the most critical aspects of web accessibility. Some users may not be able to use a mouse due to motor disabilities, repetitive strain injuries, or personal preference. For these users, navigating a website entirely via the keyboard is essential. Here’s how you can make your navigation menu keyboard-friendly:

Tab Order: Ensure that users can navigate through all menu items using the Tab key. The order should be logical and follow the visual flow of the website.
Enter and Arrow Keys: When a menu item has a dropdown, users should be able to expand or collapse it using the Enter or Arrow keys. Once expanded, users should be able to navigate through the submenu items using the Arrow keys.
Focus Management: Users should always know where they are on the page. Make sure that when a user opens a dropdown, the focus shifts to the first item in that dropdown.

Here’s an example of how you can make a simple navigation menu keyboard accessible:

<nav>
  <ul>
    <li><a href="#home" tabindex="0">Home</a></li>
    <li><a href="#about" tabindex="0">About</a></li>
    <li><a href="#services" tabindex="0">Services</a></li>
    <li><a href="#contact" tabindex="0">Contact</a></li>
  </ul>
</nav>

2. Visible Focus Indicator (WCAG 2.4.7 – Focus Visible):

Focus indicators show users where they are on a webpage when they navigate using a keyboard. Without a visible focus indicator, users can get lost, particularly if they are relying solely on the keyboard. The WCAG guidelines require that the focus indicator be clearly visible when users navigate through menu items.

Styling Focus Indicators

Customize the default focus style to make it more visible. You can use CSS to create a more prominent outline or make a background change. For example:

a:focus {
  outline: 3px solid #ff9800; /* Orange border for focused links */
  background-color: #f0f0f0; /* Light gray background for contrast */
}

Accessible Color Choices

Ensure that the color of the focus indicator has enough contrast with the background to be easily noticeable.

3. ARIA Roles and Attributes (WCAG 4.1.2 – Name, Role, Value):

ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) roles and attributes provide extra information to assistive technologies like screen readers, helping users understand the purpose and state of navigation elements. This is especially important for menus that have complex structures, such as dropdowns.

ARIA Roles

Use roles like role= “navigation” to indicate the navigation region and role= “menu” or role= “menuitem” to define menus and items within them. For example:

<nav role="navigation" aria-label="Main Navigation">
  <ul role="menubar">
    <li role="none"><a href="#home" role="menuitem">Home</a></li>
    <li role="none"><a href="#about" role="menuitem">About</a></li>
    <!-- Other menu items -->
  </ul>
</nav>

ARIA Attributes for State

Use aria-expanded to indicate if a dropdown is expanded or collapsed. This helps users who rely on screen readers understand whether they can interact further with the menu item.

<button aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="submenu">Services</button>
<ul id="submenu" role="menu">
  <li role="none"><a href="#design" role="menuitem">Design</a></li>
  <li role="none"><a href="#development" role="menuitem">Development</a></li>
</ul>

When the button is clicked to expand the menu, JavaScript should change aria-expanded= “true”.

4. Color Contrast (WCAG 1.4.3 – Contrast (Minimum)):

Ensuring sufficient color contrast is vital for users with visual impairments, including color blindness. The contrast ratio between the text and its background should be at least 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text.

Choosing Accessible Colors: Use online tools like the WebAIM Contrast Checker to ensure your menu items meet the WCAG color contrast standards.
Avoid Low-Contrast Hover States: While hover effects can be helpful, make sure they don’t reduce the text’s visibility. For example, avoid light text on light backgrounds.

5. Responsive and Mobile-Friendly Design (WCAG 1.4.10 – Reflow):

Navigation menus must be accessible across different devices and screen sizes. This is especially important given the widespread use of mobile devices.

Responsive Design Techniques: Ensure that the menu collapses into a mobile-friendly version, like a hamburger menu, without losing accessibility features.
Mobile Screen Readers: Make sure mobile screen readers can read and navigate the menu. Test with VoiceOver on iOS and TalkBack on Android to ensure compatibility.

6. Skip Navigation Links (WCAG 2.4.1 – Bypass Blocks):

A “Skip to Content” link allows users to bypass repetitive navigation links and go straight to the main content. This is crucial for users who rely on keyboard navigation.

<a href=”#maincontent” class=”skip-link”>Skip to Content</a>

When the page loads, users can press Tab to immediately focus on this link, skipping the menu altogether.

7. Clear and Descriptive Labels (WCAG 3.3.2 – Labels or Instructions):

Menu items should be labeled clearly to describe what users can expect when they click on them. This reduces confusion and ensures all users, including those with cognitive disabilities, can easily navigate the site.

Avoid Vague Labels: Instead of “Explore,” use something like “Our Services” to make it clearer what users will find.

Tips for Creating an Effective Accessibility Navigation Menu

Creating an accessible navigation menu isn’t just about meeting the guidelines—it’s about creating a better experience for everyone. Here are some tips to help:

Keep it Simple: A clear and straightforward menu structure is easier for all users to navigate.
Use Clear Labels: Avoid jargon and use common terms. For example, instead of “Explore Our Solutions,” just use “Services.”
Include Skip Links: A “Skip to content” link allows keyboard users to skip repetitive navigation links.
Test with Real Users: Get feedback from people with different disabilities to understand how accessible your menu really is.
Provide Descriptive Anchor Text: Use anchor text that tells users where they’re going. For example, use “About Us” instead of “Click Here.”

Testing for an Accessible Menu

Once you’ve built your navigation menu, you need to test it for accessibility. Here are a few ways to do that:

Keyboard Navigation: Try navigating your site using only the keyboard. Can you access all the menu items? Are dropdowns easy to use?
Screen Readers: Use a screen reader like NVDA (NonVisual Desktop Access) or JAWS (Job Access With Speech) to navigate your site. Does the menu make sense when read aloud?
Color Contrast Tools: Use color contrast checkers to make sure your text stands out against the background.
Real User Testing: Consider asking users with disabilities to test your site and provide feedback on the navigation menu. This real-world input can be invaluable.

Conclusion

Creating a web-accessible navigation menu isn’t just about checking a box; it’s about making your website easy for everyone to use. When you improve accessibility, you also boost user experience and even your ROI. By learning about the best practices and challenges of accessible navigation menus, you can make your website more welcoming to all visitors.

Remember, accessibility is not a one-time fix. It’s important to regularly test and update your navigation menu to keep it user-friendly. If you want to take the next step in making your website more inclusive, consider scheduling an ADA compliance briefing with 216digital. Our team can help you ensure your site is accessible to everyone.