How-to Guides Archives- Page 3 of 9/Category

What Is Audio Description?
Imagine trying to enjoy a movie when you can’t actually see what’s on the screen. Suddenly, a huge portion of the story—communicated by the actors’ gestures, the set design, and other visual elements—becomes almost impossible to follow. This is where audio description comes in.

For people who are blind or have low vision, audio description is a vital tool that helps them understand what is happening on screen. It turns visual information—like who is walking, what they are wearing, and how they move—into words that fill in the gaps left by dialogue alone. By including audio descriptions, developers can help build a more inclusive internet that meets everyone’s needs.

What Is Audio Description?

Audio description (AD) is defined as “the verbal depiction of key visual elements in media and live productions.” It is a spoken narration that explains what viewers would normally learn from sight alone. AD covers facial expressions, important movements, scene changes, costumes, and on-screen text. Think of AD as the spoken equivalent of alt text for images. Just like alt text describes a picture’s contents when you can’t see it, audio description tells you what is happening visually when you are unable to follow by sight.

Because so many key story elements are conveyed without dialogue, AD ensures blind or low-vision users are not missing out. For instance, a character might make a worried face or show a letter to another actor without saying anything. Without words describing these details, viewers may lose track of the story. That is why this accessibility measure is so important—not just for visual comprehension, but also for equal participation in popular culture.

How Is Audio Description Created?

Creating audio descriptions is both an art and a science. It calls for careful planning and precision so the narration enriches the original content without interrupting dialogue or other important sounds. In general, there are two main steps: writing the script and voicing the narration.

Writing the Script

A trained describer, or sometimes an automated tool, watches the content and notes crucial visual elements that are not otherwise explained. This includes body language, set design, and even text on signs. A human writer can craft a highly accurate script, but some creators use AI-generated drafts as a starting point. A hybrid approach—AI plus human editing—can offer speed and cost benefits while maintaining quality. Once the script is ready, it is carefully timed to fit into breaks between lines of dialogue or music cues.

Voicing the Description

The next step is to record the narration. Human-voiced AD typically uses professional voice actors who can deliver the right tone and clarity. An alternative is synthesized speech, where a computer-generated voice reads the script. This can be faster and cheaper but might lack the warmth and nuance a human can provide. After recording, an audio engineer mixes the new narration with the existing soundtrack. Quality assurance is essential: the final version must be clear, accurate, and properly timed so it helps the viewer without overwhelming the original audio. Many organizations also test the finished product with actual users to confirm it meets their needs.

How Is Audio Description Published?

When it comes to publishing audio descriptions online, developers have a variety of technical approaches:
- User-Selectable Audio Track: Many streaming services and video players provide a separate track that includes AD, often referred to as a Secondary Audio Program (SAP).
- Pre-Mixed Versions: Sometimes, the AD is integrated directly into the main audio track, so every listener hears the narration by default.
- Extended or Integrated Descriptive Audio: In content with rapid action, an extended track may pause or slow the video to allow sufficient time for detailed narration.
- Separate Files on Streaming Platforms: Services like Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime frequently offer multiple audio versions, including AD, which viewers can select. Physical media (DVDs, Blu-rays) often include these options too.
- Mobile Apps and Live Performances: Apps can synchronize real-time narration with a live show or museum exhibit, allowing users to hear descriptions without disturbing others.
- Text-Based Alternatives: If adding audio tracks isn’t feasible, a WebVTT description track can be paired with a screen reader to deliver the same information through speech.
Benefits of Audio Description

While the primary users of this feature are people who are blind or have low vision, there are many others who benefit. Students who like to listen to content while taking notes, commuters who cannot watch a screen, and people who multitask all gain from this practice. Even individuals seated far from a display or those preferring a more multi-sensory viewing experience can find it helpful.

For content creators, adding audio descriptions can grow their audience and boost engagement. Accessibility also supports legal compliance in many regions, protecting organizations from potential lawsuits or fines. Beyond that, it improves a brand’s reputation by demonstrating care for all viewers. Some producers have even seen gains in search engine optimization (SEO) when they create written scripts or transcriptions as part of the process, which can lead to better discoverability of their content online.

Alternative to Audio Description

In some cases, offering audio descriptions may not be possible or practical due to limited budgets, time constraints, or technical hurdles. Still, there are alternatives that can help ensure some level of accessibility:
- Descriptive Transcripts: A transcript that includes not just dialogue, but also details on the visuals. This gives readers enough information to follow the narrative independently.
- Captions with Added Context: Although captions are mostly designed for viewers who are deaf or hard of hearing, they can be adjusted to include simple notes like “[John grins]” or “[Mary enters the room],” aiding those who need more visual context.
- Embedded Descriptions in Dialogue: Some creators write scripts that naturally mention key visuals, such as, “Look at that bright red balloon floating into the clear sky!” This type of embedded language can fill in some gaps without a formal AD track.
- Assistive Technology Integration: Proper use of HTML, ARIA labels, and structured content can also help screen readers convey visual information more effectively.
- Live Describer Services: For virtual events or video calls, a live describer can offer on-the-fly narration. This can be a good choice if you cannot embed pre-recorded descriptions in the media.
Why Audio Description Is Worth Prioritizing

At its heart, accessibility is about recognizing each person’s perspective. When web developers and content creators integrate audio descriptions into their videos, they do more than fulfill legal requirements: they make a statement that everyone belongs. By adding thoughtful narration, you help paint the full picture for anyone who can’t see it, broadening your audience and enriching the viewing experience for all. Even small improvements can bring about major changes in how people engage with your content.

Collaborating with experts, like the team at 216digital, can guide you through each step, from scripting to publishing. In the end, it isn’t just another feature—it’s a powerful bridge to inclusivity, ensuring nobody is left out of the story.
Greg McNeil

March 25, 2025

How-to Guides, WCAG Compliance

audio description, captions, videos and audio content, WCAG, WCAG conformance
How to Make Your Marketing More Accessible

You know how important marketing is already. But the real question is: Who’s not getting your message?

It’s easy to assume your carefully crafted campaigns are reaching everyone—but are they? What about someone using a screen reader? Or someone experiencing cognitive overload from flashing images or cluttered layouts?

You’re already working with engagement rates, algorithms, and design trends if you’re a marketer or content creator. So why do you need to worry about accessibility, too? Because accessible marketing is not optional—it’s necessary if you want to reach more, protect your brand, and build more trust.

Let’s parse out the ways that accessibility intersects with marketing now—and how it actually puts you ahead in terms of competition.

Why Accessibility Matters in Marketing

Grow Your Audience—Organically

Consider this: nearly 16% of people globally possess a disability that affects how they use the internet. If your content or site isn’t accessible, you’re missing out on a significant portion of your audience. Adding accessible marketing helps those individuals, but it also has the effect of simplifying and enhancing the experience for all, making your brand more desirable and accessible.

Improve Your Brand’s Credibility

Audiences today notice—and appreciate—brands that are concerned with being inclusive. Brands like Microsoft and Apple have established trust by being considerate and inclusive behaviors. By adopting accessible marketing, you’re broadcasting a message loud and clear: you genuinely care about your audience. That sincerity boosts customer loyalty and turns customers into brand ambassadors.

Get a Natural SEO Boost

Here’s a practical advantage: accessible marketing tends to coincide with SEO best practices. Descriptive text and clear, well-structured content help search engines and assistive technologies comprehend your content better. By making your site more accessible, you’ll not only enhance user experience but also perhaps enhance your search result visibility.

Stay Compliant and Reduce Risk

You’re probably familiar with accessibility laws like the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and guidelines such as Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). Ignoring these standards can lead to serious legal consequences—something no brand wants to face. By integrating accessible marketing into your strategies, you proactively avoid these risks, protecting your business and its reputation.

Website Accessibility Tips

Make Your Content Easy to Navigate

Attempt to use only the Tab key to navigate through your site. Is it easy and self-evident? Good usage of headings (H1, H2, H3) isn’t all about design appearance—it helps users navigate without hindrance, especially those who rely on assistive technologies.

Always Add Alt Text to Images

Alt text is a short description of an image. Screen readers use this text to describe the image aloud for people who can’t see it. For example, if you have a photo of a smiling person holding a dog, your alt text could say, “A woman holding a small brown dog and laughing.”

When writing alt text, be clear and concise. Provide enough information so someone can imagine the picture if they can’t see it. This step takes only a few seconds per image, but it goes a long way in making sure everyone can follow along.

Use Clear Language and Short Sentences

Plain language is your friend. It cuts out fluff and makes your message easier to understand. Not everyone enjoys reading long paragraphs loaded with big words. Simple wording often performs better because people grasp the idea quickly. Then, they can respond, share, or buy without confusion.

Try to limit long sentences. If a sentence feels like it’s going on forever, break it into two. This helps your audience read faster and makes screen readers work better.

Check Keyboard Navigation and Focus Indicators

Not everybody is a mouse user. Well-designed visible keyboard focus indicators make it easy for users with keyboard navigation or assistive device users to access your site with ease.

Be Careful With Animated Content

Animated or blinking content can be distracting or even harmful to some users. When you use animations, always provide an easy way to pause or disable them.

Social Media Accessibility Best Practices

Alt Text Isn’t Just for Websites

Image descriptions (alt text) are supported by most social media platforms these days. Make it a habit—you’re taking a simple step toward accessible marketing.

Format Hashtags Clearly

Hashtags like #MarketingTips2023 (all capitals) are more screen-reader friendly than all-lowercase counterparts, increasing accessibility right away.

Limit Emoji Usage

Emojis are great, but they should be used only sparingly. Excessive emoji usage will provide messy audio experiences for screen reader users.

Tag Your Links with Care

“Click Here” is useless. Descriptive words like “Find our latest products” will all inform users properly of the intent of the link.

Multimedia Accessibility Strategies

Use Captions and Transcripts

Video marketing is a big part of many brands’ strategies. But some viewers are deaf or hard of hearing. Others can’t use sound at certain times, like when they’re in a library or a busy coffee shop. Closed captions let them follow the video’s message without hearing the audio.

A transcript is also helpful. It’s a written version of all the spoken words and important sounds in a video. Transcripts help search engines pick up on your keywords. This gives an added SEO boost.

Add Audio Descriptions

Audio descriptions explain to visually impaired viewers what they are missing. This action unequivocally demonstrates your brand’s commitment to accessible marketing.

Making Accessibility a Habit

Make Accessibility Part of Your Workflow

Accessibility need not be a burden. Incorporate it into your regular content creation processes—train personnel, prep checklists, and add accessibility into every campaign plan. Accessible marketing will be second nature in no time.

Regularly Improve

Accessibility is not set-and-forget. Regular testing with tools like WAVE or Lighthouse and feedback from real-life assistive tech users ensures that your marketing remains effective and inclusive.

Closing the Conversion Gap

Marketing is all about creating a connection—and that connection isn’t whole if parts of your audience are left behind. By committing to accessible marketing, you’re committing to better communication, more active relationships, and more relevant experiences for each and every individual who comes into contact with your brand.

So, how do you begin? Take what you already do so well and add accessibility to it. Utilize it to inform the way you design, write, and present content. And when you need advice, we at 216digital can keep everything in rhythm, accessible to everyone, and effective.

Great marketing is not just something that is seen or heard – it’s something that’s felt by everyone.

Greg McNeil

March 24, 2025

How-to Guides, The Benefits of Web Accessibility, Web Accessibility Training

Accessibility, Digital Marketing, Marketing, Web Accessibility, Website Accessibility
When Is a Skip Link Needed?
We’ve all been on websites that greet us with massive headers, menu bars crammed full of links, or flashy ads stretching across the top. With a mouse, you can scroll or click straight to the section you care about. But if you rely on a keyboard, you’re stuck tabbing through every link and button in that menu before you reach the main story. It can feel like trudging through a maze when you just want to dive into the content.

A skip link offers a simple shortcut: it lets keyboard users jump over that repeated stuff and land exactly where they need to be. In this article, we’ll explore how skip links fit into the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), why they matter for anyone who doesn’t browse with a mouse, and how they can make a site more enjoyable for all visitors—even the ones who love to scroll.

What Is WCAG’s Bypass Blocks Rule?

WCAG’s Success Criterion 2.4.1, known as “Bypass Blocks,” focuses on letting users skip past content that appears on every page, such as headers, navigation menus, and sidebars. These areas can become barriers for people who rely on keyboard navigation or use screen readers, since they have to listen to or Tab through every link each time they land on a new page.

Mouse users can ignore repeated elements by moving their cursor directly to the main section of the page. But if you are using a keyboard only, you have to press the Tab key multiple times to get beyond the menu or header. This extra effort can be frustrating. By contrast, a skip link makes it possible to jump straight to the main content with a single press of the Tab key and an Enter or Space to activate it. Cutting down on keystrokes is a big boost to usability and can remove physical strain for users with motor disabilities.

Do Landmarks and Headings Count as Bypass Tools?

Some people think that WCAG’s requirements force you to include a skip link no matter what. However, WCAG does not specifically demand that you place a “Skip to Main Content” link on your pages in every scenario. If you use proper HTML5 sectioning elements like <main> or set up ARIA landmarks with role= "main", you can fulfill the technical requirement.

When you use clear heading structures (<h1>, <h2>, etc.) and assign landmarks (role= "navigation", role= "banner") to your layout, many screen readers allow users to jump from one landmark or heading to another. This means they can skip large chunks of repeated content. However, there is a key drawback: these landmark shortcuts are tied to assistive technology. Keyboard-only users without a screen reader do not benefit from these features, because landmarks are not accessible through simple keystrokes like Tab. That is where a skip link proves especially helpful, providing an obvious and direct way to move focus into the main content.

Why a Skip Link Is Still Best Practice

Even if you are technically compliant with WCAG, many experts still recommend a skip link. Here’s why:
1. Keyboard-Only Users: Landmarks may help screen reader users, but they are not available to someone who only has a keyboard. A skip link is the only direct and reliable way to jump over repetitive elements.
2. Users with Motor Disabilities: Each extra keystroke can cause strain. Reducing the need to press Tab repeatedly makes it easier for people with limited mobility to explore your site.
3. Users with Cognitive Disabilities: Repeated menus and banners can be visually overwhelming and distracting. A skip link streamlines the experience by letting users focus on the main content faster.
Other Tools That Help With Page Navigation
- Provide a Skip Link: A short text-based link such as “Skip to Main Content” at the top of the page is a universal solution.
- Use HTML Sectioning Elements: Properly labeling <header>, <main>, and <footer> can help screen reader users identify page sections.
- Implement a Logical Heading Structure: When headings form a clear outline, it is easier for people to scan or jump to key areas, especially when assistive technology is involved.
Alternative Navigation Aids

While a skip link is vital, it’s not the only accessibility tool you can use. ARIA landmarks, for example, let you define elements like role= "navigation", role= "banner", or role= "main". Screen readers can use these roles to move focus to each region. Another strategy is to include access keys, which assign keyboard shortcuts to major parts of your site. Yet, these approaches are typically helpful only to those who know how to use them and have compatible assistive technology. For most keyboard users, a skip link remains the clearest and simplest tool.

How to Add a Skip Link the Right Way

A skip link should do more than just jump down the page; it needs to work with the keyboard in a smooth way. Here’s how:

Position the Link as the First Focusable Element

The best practice is to place the skip link at the very top of your page. This ensures it is the first element that gets focus when someone tabs through the page. A common method is to link to the main content area, marked by an ID like id= "main-content".

Ensure Proper Keyboard Functionality

When users activate the skip link, focus should land right on the main content area. For this to happen, that target element must be focusable. If <main> or the first heading is not normally focusable, you can add tabindex= "-1" to make it work. This step also helps users who use screen magnifiers, because the focus moves right to the main section visually.

Example:
```
<a href="#main-content">Skip to Main Content</a>


<main id="main-content" tabindex="-1">
    
</main>
Or, if you want to move focus to the first heading:
<a href="#first-heading">Skip to Main Content</a>


<h1 id="first-heading" tabindex="-1">Welcome to Our Site</h1>

```
Ensure the Skip Link Is Visible When Focused

Many designers hide the skip link until it gains focus. While this can keep the page looking tidy, it’s important that the link is fully visible and noticeable the moment someone tabs onto it. This visibility ensures that keyboard users know there is a helpful tool available. In some designs, leaving the skip link in plain sight all the time may be the best approach.

Mistakes to Avoid With Skip Links

Even if you add a skip link, a few errors can stop it from working as intended:
- Improper Hiding Techniques: If you use display: none; or visibility: hidden;, screen readers will not detect the link at all. Instead, use off-screen positioning so it remains accessible.
- Non-Focusable Targets: Forgetting to add tabindex= "-1" to the target means the user might land near the content but not actually focus on it. This can confuse people using screen readers or screen magnifiers.
- Skipping Too Much Content: Your skip link should jump over repeated menus, but it should not force users to skip crucial information, like an important heading that explains the page’s purpose.
Check That Your Skip Link Actually Works

Testing makes sure your skip link works well:
1. Keyboard Testing: Turn off your mouse and try to navigate the site by tapping through. Watch for the link to show up, and check that it drops you into the main area.
2. Assistive Technology Testing: Use a screen reader to confirm that your skip link is announced and that it moves focus correctly.
3. Cross-Browser Compatibility: Test in different browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge) to confirm that the skip link behaves the same everywhere.
Make Navigation Easy for Everyone with 216digital

Including semantic elements and ARIA landmarks can make your site meet the minimum requirements of WCAG, but offering a dedicated skip link goes a step further by improving usability for keyboard-only users, people with motor disabilities, and users who may become overwhelmed by repeated menus. Rather than viewing accessibility as a set of rules to follow, think of it as a way to create a smoother, more welcoming experience for all.

If you want a site that not only checks the compliance box but also feels inclusive to every visitor, consider working with a partner who understands the importance of thoughtful navigation. At 216digital, we specialize in designing web experiences that work for everyone. A skip link may seem like a small touch, but it can make a world of difference for those who need it. Let’s make the web more inclusive together.
Greg McNeil

March 21, 2025

How-to Guides

skip link, WCAG, WCAG conformance, web developers, web development
Getting Focused: Why Focus Order Matters for Web Accessibility
Most people never think about what it would be like to navigate a website without using their mouse. This is a reality for many users with visual or motor impairments. They rely on using other input modalities, such as the keyboard or gestures, to navigate a web page. This is where focus order comes into play.

In this post, we’ll look at what focus order is, why it’s so important, how it connects to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), and the most common issues you’ll want to fix. Then, we’ll share a few tips on how to test and improve it on your own site.

Life Without a Mouse

Picture going through your favorite website using only your keyboard. You press Tab to jump from one link or button to another. If the focus order is set up right, you’ll move through the page in a smooth, logical sequence, usually from top to bottom. But if it’s not, you could land somewhere unexpected or miss entirely essential parts of the page.

For anyone who can’t use a mouse, a messed-up focus order often leads to frustration. Improper focus order can lead to the cursor jumping around the page illogically or preventing them from using necessary functionality.

Avoiding Common Pitfalls
1. Skipping Interactive Elements: If a link or button is not coded using the proper semantic HTML tag or does not have the correct attributes, it will not be focusable at all, and users who can’t use a mouse will be unable to interact with the element.
2. Jumping in Strange Ways: If you rely on random tabindex values or a messy HTML structure, the focus may go from the header to a random footer link before bouncing back up. That’s tough to follow.
3. Getting Trapped: Pop-ups, modals, and iframes can trap keyboard users if the code doesn’t let them tab out. People might get stuck until they refresh the page.
4. Invisible Focus: Many designers, developers, or store owners choose to hide the focus outlines for aesthetic purposes without realizing how many people rely on them to navigate the site. Without visible focus outlines, motor-impaired users have no idea which element is currently focused on or selected.
The WCAG Connection

Focus order plays a key role in meeting the standards laid out in WCAG. Some of the main ones include:
- 2.4.3 (Focus Order, Level A): Content should follow a logical order when tabbing through the page.
- 2.1.1 (Keyboard, Level A): All site functions should work with only a keyboard.
- 2.4.7 (Focus Visible, Level AA): People should see which element is active at all times.
- 2.4.11 & 2.4.12 (Focus Not Obscured, WCAG 2.2, Levels AA & AAA): The focused element has to remain visible instead of scrolling off-screen.
Meeting these criteria helps make sure your site is accessible and much easier to navigate.

Simple Tips to Get It Right
- Use the DOM Order: Write your HTML in the order you want people to move through the page. That way, you don’t have to force things with unique attributes.
- Use Correct Elements: If you have something clickable, make it a <button> or <a>. This makes it automatically focusable without extra work.
- Be Careful With tabindex: tabindex= “0” can help include an element in the natural focus sequence. tabindex= “-1” keeps something out of the normal flow but still lets you focus there with scripts. High or random values can create chaos.
- Manage Modals Properly: When a modal pops up, focus should jump into it. People should be able to tab around inside and close it without getting stuck. Once it’s closed, the focus should return to the element that opened it.
- Keep Focus Visible: If your brand style doesn’t match the default outline, customize it with a high-contrast border or box-shadow. Whatever you do, make sure people can still see where they are on the page.
Testing and Tweaking Your Site
1. Manual Testing – Put your mouse away and try tabbing through the page. Ask yourself if the order makes sense and if you can reach everything you need.
2. Browser Tools – Chrome DevTools and Firefox Accessibility Inspector can show you how each element appears in the accessibility tree, which can help you spot weird focus flows.
3. Automated Tests – Tools like WAVE and Lighthouse are helpful for flagging fundamental problems, though they won’t catch everything.
4. Real Users – If possible, ask people who rely on keyboard navigation to test your site. They’ll be the quickest to notice focus issues you might miss.
Wrapping Up

Focus order might sound like a small detail, but it’s a massive deal for those who rely on the keyboard to get around. A logical, precise tab sequence helps keep your site user-friendly, no matter who’s visiting. If you’re worried about your site’s accessibility, it’s never too late to run an audit or refresh your code.

Need extra help? Contact 216digital, where we specialize in creating accessible websites that work well for everyone. Whether you just need a quick review or a complete accessibility plan, we’re here to make your site feel welcoming for all kinds of users.
Greg McNeil

March 19, 2025

How-to Guides, WCAG Compliance

focus order, WCAG, WCAG conformance, web developers, web development
A Guide to Accessible Table Design & Development
Once upon a time, table design was web design. Before the elegance of CSS Grid or the flexibility of Flexbox, we built entire sites with <table>, <tr>, and <td> like it was second nature. They were the backbone of layout — the duct tape holding the early web together. But as web development matured, we traded layout tables for cleaner, more semantic code. Still, tables remain essential — not for layout, but for what they were truly meant to do: present data.

So, where do tables fit into modern, accessible web design? When are they appropriate, and how do we use them in a way that supports users of all abilities, including those using screen readers or keyboard navigation?

In this guide, revisit table design through a modern lens — not to reminisce about the old days of spacer GIFs and nested rows, but to examine how to use tables the right way today. Whether you’re structuring tabular data or dealing with legacy layouts, we’ll walk through practical techniques for designing and coding tables that are both functional and inclusive.

Understanding Tables in Web Design

Tables still serve a clear purpose in today’s web — when used thoughtfully. But there’s a key distinction: data tables are for presenting information, and layout tables… well, those belong in the same drawer as Netscape hacks and the blink tag. How you use them matters, especially for folks navigating with a screen reader or keyboard.

Understanding the difference is the first step toward solid, accessible table design that doesn’t leave users behind.

Data Tables

Need to show structured data like schedules, product comparisons, or sales reports? That’s what data tables were born to do. When used well, they make complex info digestible — like a well-organized spreadsheet that doesn’t make you want to flip your monitor.

Making Data Tables Accessible

Start with semantic HTML — <th> for headers, <caption> for context, and group rows and columns meaningfully. These tags are like orientation tools for assistive tech — they help users actually understand the structure, not just hear a blob of words.

Reading order is your next frontier. If your table reads like it was assembled after three espressos and a deadline, it’s time to regroup. Make sure users can follow the flow with no surprises.

And if you’re knee-deep in rowspans and colspans, it’s worth pausing to ask: “Is this actually helping, or am I just flexing?” Clean table design helps avoid this entirely.

Layout Tables

Let’s talk about the fossil in the room: layout tables. We all used them. Some of us even nested them. Some of us still wake up in cold sweats because of them.

Why They Were Used

Back in the day, if you wanted a three-column layout, you reached for a table. Pixel-perfect footer? Table. It was the best option we had — right up until CSS knocked politely and said, “I got this.”

Why It’s Time to Move On

CSS changed the game. Layout tables now clutter your markup, confuse screen readers, and break responsiveness faster than you can say “media query.” The result? A tangled mess that’s hard to debug and harder to maintain.

Golden rule: Tables for data. CSS for layout. Break this rule only under duress (or for archaeological purposes).

If you must touch layout tables, think of it less as designing a layout and more as preserving legibility. It’s a survival-style form of table design.

When You Have to Use Layout Tables

Sometimes, you inherit legacy code that’s more delicate than a house of cards. Or you’re working with a CMS that still thinks it’s 2003. When you’re stuck, the goal becomes minimizing the chaos.

Best Practices for Using Layout Tables (Responsibly)
- Skip semantic elements: Leave <th> and <caption> out. They’ll only mislead screen readers.
- Use role= "presentation": This politely tells assistive tech, “Nothing to see here — just visuals.”
- Keep content order logical: It might look fine, but hit the tab or turn on a screen reader. If it reads like a jigsaw puzzle, rework it.
- Make it responsive — sort of: You’re already doing something frowned upon. At least don’t let it collapse on mobile.
CSS to the Rescue

Need flexible, responsive, accessible layouts? CSS has your back. You’ve got two powerhouse options ready to roll.

CSS Grid Layout

CSS Grid is built for complex, two-dimensional layouts. It gives you surgical control over rows and columns without diving into the <td> abyss.

Heads-up: Keep your DOM order consistent with your visual order. Otherwise, assistive tech users will be piecing together your layout like a mystery novel.

CSS Flexbox

Flexbox handles one-dimensional layouts like a champ. Think nav bars, form groups, toolbars — anything that lines up in a row or column.

Just remember, Flexbox can reorder your layout visually, but screen readers still follow the source order. Rearranging things for aesthetics? Fine. Just don’t confuse your users while you’re at it.

Both of these tools help prevent misuse of tables and support better table design principles by removing the temptation to force non-tabular content into table markup.

Follow the Principles, Not Just the Code

Accessibility isn’t about ticking boxes — it’s about designing with real people in mind. Think about how someone actually experiences your content. No mouse. No visuals. Just structure, clarity, and flow.

If someone is using a screen reader, keyboard navigation, or sip-and-puff device, your clean CSS layout means nothing if your content order is a mess. Great table design considers these experiences from the start.

Key Guidelines from WCAG to Keep in Mind:
- Info and Relationships (1.3.1): Use markup to show how data connects. Don’t rely on appearance alone.
- Meaningful Sequence (1.3.2): Your content should flow in a way that makes sense, both visually and in the code.
Quick Recap: Best Practices
- Use tables only for tabular data — not layout, not nostalgia
- Mark up data tables semantically — <th>, <caption>, proper scope
- Use CSS (Grid or Flexbox) for layout — always
- Only use layout tables when you absolutely have no other option
- If you must use layout tables, strip out semantics and add role=" presentation"
- Don’t rely on automated tools alone — test with real assistive tech
Final Thoughts

The web’s grown a lot since the days of spacer GIFs and table-based layouts — and thankfully, so have our tools. We can build cleaner, more flexible, more inclusive sites with far less hassle than we could a decade ago.

So let’s do that. Use tables where they belong — to present data. Embrace modern CSS for everything else. And always remember: building for accessibility doesn’t slow you down. It just makes your work better.

And if you’re ever elbow-deep in a legacy layout table with seven levels of nested <tr>, know this: someone out there gets it. And they’re probably muttering “never again” right along with you — while dreaming of cleaner table design.
Greg McNeil

March 18, 2025

How-to Guides

Data tables, How-to, table design, web developers, web development
Coffee Shop Website Accessibility: What’s Missing?
Have you ever visited a coffee shop’s website to check their menu, order online, or see their hours? Did you feel lost because the site was confusing? Now, imagine dealing with that struggle each time you want to find your go-to latte. Or when you want to learn about a shop’s new roast. For people who rely on screen readers or have other visual impairments, that frustration can happen a lot.

Many coffee shop owners and content creators in the United States might not realize these barriers exist. Making sure everyone can move around your website without trouble is more important than you might think. In this post, I’ll point out some common obstacles and why they matter. I’ll also share how a few small changes can make a big impact.

Why Does Coffee Shop Website Accessibility Matters?

When you think about coffee shops, you might picture a warm atmosphere and friendly baristas. You might also imagine the smell of freshly brewed beans. Online, we want to capture that same welcoming feeling. By focusing on coffee shop website accessibility, we want to make sure people can order their favorite drinks. We also want them to read menu items or discover new roasts without trouble.

If a visually impaired customer struggles to find key details, they might miss out on daily deals or new seasonal drinks. They could even miss basic facts like store hours.

One often overlooked detail is how screen readers work. These tools read text out loud to users who can’t see the screen. If a website isn’t organized well, or if images don’t have good descriptions, screen reader users can miss key details. It’s crucial to keep everything labeled and clear. That could mean they never learn about your limited-edition pumpkin spice latte or your special buy-one-get-one-free deal. By making a few updates, you can share the joy of your coffee shop with everyone who visits online.

Missing Alt Text for Images

Coffee shops show off photos of their specialty drinks, pastries, and interiors. There’s nothing quite like seeing a perfectly steamed latte art design on the homepage. However, if these images don’t include a brief written description (often called “alt text”), a screen reader can’t share that info with someone who is visually impaired. That leaves them guessing what’s in the image.

What to do:
- Make sure each picture has short alt text that describes what’s shown. If you have a frothy cappuccino in a ceramic mug with a leaf design on top, write something like, “Cappuccino with leaf latte art in a white mug.”
- Keep it simple and clear. A few words can help everyone enjoy the same tasty-looking photos.
Hard-to-Read Text and Poor Contrast

Sometimes, coffee shop websites use warm and earthy color palettes to match the cozy vibe of a local café. But light brown text on a cream background can be hard for many people to read. Dark red lettering on a black background can cause the same problem.

If your text and background colors don’t have enough contrast, users might struggle to read menu items or promotions. They could also miss important contact details.

What to do:
- Pick colors with high contrast, so text stands out. You can use free online contrast-checker tools.
- Keep text large enough so visitors of all ages can comfortably read your menu and shop info. Test on a phone or tablet to see if users need to zoom in.
Unclear Headings and Structure

Have you ever looked at a website and felt lost because everything blended together? Using clear headings and labels helps both sighted users and people with screen readers navigate your site.

When your text is broken into sections like “Our Menu,” “About Us,” “Location,” and “Contact,” users can jump right where they need to go. This layout helps both sighted users and screen readers. Screen readers also rely on proper heading levels (like H1, H2, H3) to guide listeners in the right order. If headings aren’t used correctly, the page can feel disorganized for those who can’t see it.

What to do:
- Give each page a main heading (H1), then use H2s and H3s for subheadings.
- Don’t skip heading levels. Going from H1 to H3 can confuse people using screen readers.
Unlabeled or Unclear Links and Buttons

Buttons like “Order Now,” “Sign Up,” or “View Menu” should clearly say what they do. If a button only says “Click Here,” screen reader users might not know what “here” refers to. The same goes for links.

If many links are labeled “Learn More,” it’s tricky to figure out which page or product each link goes to. Users might have to guess or click blindly.

What to do:
- Use descriptive link and button text, like “Order a Latte” or “Learn About Our Pastries.”
- If you offer online ordering, label each step so people know exactly what to do next.
Forms Without Proper Labels

Some coffee shop websites have newsletter sign-up forms or contact forms for special orders. If these forms aren’t labeled well, a screen reader might say something like “edit box” instead of “email address.” That can leave users guessing what to type.

What to do:
- Label each form field clearly. For instance, use “Name” or “Email Address” so people know what goes where.
- Provide helpful error messages. If someone enters an invalid email, explain what happened and how to fix it.
Videos Without Captions or Transcripts

Video might not be the first thing that comes to mind for a coffee shop website. Still, some shops post video tours, latte art tutorials, or interviews with the barista. If these don’t have captions or transcripts, users who are deaf or hard of hearing could feel left out. Good website accessibility means making the site easy for everyone, not just folks with vision challenges.

What to do:
- Add captions to your videos or provide a simple transcript. This helps anyone who can’t hear or who’s watching in a quiet place (or a super noisy one).
How to Get Started

Improving coffee shop website accessibility doesn’t have to be complicated. You can start by using free online tools that scan your pages and highlight issues like missing alt text or low contrast. It also helps to ask a few friends or loyal customers to test your site and tell you what works and what doesn’t.

If you find bigger problems, think about working with a web developer who understands website accessibility. They can guide you through changes and help you meet standards commonly used in the United States. Even small fixes can create a smoother online experience for everyone, from a busy parent ordering pastries for the weekend to a coffee enthusiast searching for a new blend to try.

A Warm Welcome, On and Offline

When people walk through your coffee shop’s door, you greet them with a smile. Why not do the same online? A website that’s easy to use creates that same feeling of warmth and belonging. Whether someone’s checking your menu for gluten-free treats, ordering a bag of beans for home, or simply browsing the specials, clear labels and good navigation make them feel included.

By focusing on coffee shop website accessibility, you open your digital doors to everyone. It’s a great way to build community, grow your business, and show off what makes your café special. After all, everyone deserves to enjoy that perfect cup of coffee—no matter how they get there.

If you’re ready to make your coffee shop’s website more accessible but aren’t sure where to start, 216digital can help. We specialize in website accessibility solutions tailored to small businesses, making sure your site is welcoming for everyone. Let’s work together to create a seamless online experience—just like the one you offer in your shop.
Greg McNeil

March 14, 2025

How-to Guides, WCAG Compliance

Accessibility, coffee shop, forms, Image Alt Text, videos and audio content, Web Accessibility
Keyboard Accessibility: A Guide for Web Developers
Think about the last time you visited a website with a complex menu or a long list of links. If you tried navigating without a mouse—maybe because you found it faster to use the Tab key—you might have encountered invisible outlines, a random tab order, or even getting stuck in a popup with no clear way out. These problems highlight why keyboard accessibility is essential.

When websites are built so that every button, link, and form field is accessible via keyboard, it becomes easier for everyone to navigate and complete tasks.

What Is Keyboard Accessibility?

At its core, keyboard accessibility ensures that everything on a website can be reached and used without a mouse. This is crucial for people with motor impairments who rely on keyboards or assistive devices, as well as users with visual impairments who navigate with screen readers. Even power users benefit, often finding keyboard shortcuts and navigation faster than using a mouse.

Beyond improving usability, proper keyboard accessibility leads to better-organized code and a more logical page structure—benefits that search engines reward with better SEO rankings. Simply put, improving keyboard accessibility benefits both users and website owners. However, achieving it comes with challenges.

Common Keyboard Accessibility Challenges

Despite its importance, keyboard accessibility is often overlooked. Many websites suffer from poor focus visibility, illogical tab orders, and keyboard traps that frustrate users. Addressing these pitfalls is key to creating a smooth, user-friendly experience.

Below are three of the most common keyboard accessibility issues—and how to fix them.

1. Designing Effective Focus Indicators

Focus indicators visually highlight which element is currently selected when navigating with a keyboard. They help users track their position as they move through a webpage using the Tab key.

Why Focus Indicators Matter

Imagine navigating a website solely by keyboard. If you press Tab but can’t see where you are because the focus highlight is too faint—or missing altogether—you’re left guessing. This creates confusion and frustration. Clear, high-contrast focus indicators ensure users always know where they are on the page.

Best Practices for Focus Indicators
- Outline thickness: At least 2 CSS pixels
- Outline offset: Keep at least 2 CSS pixels between the outline and the element’s edge
- Contrast ratio: A minimum of 3:1 between the focus indicator and the background
Understanding the :focus-visible Pseudo-Class

The :focus selector applies styles whenever an element gains focus, including when it’s clicked with a mouse. But :focus-visible applies focus styles only when an element is navigated via keyboard, keeping the interface clean for mouse users while ensuring keyboard users get clear visual cues.

Example:
```
*:focus-visible {
  border: 2px solid black; /* Ensure noticeable contrast */
  outline-offset: 2px;
}
```
2. Maintaining a Logical Navigation Order

Users navigate websites sequentially using the Tab key. The focus order should match the visual layout to avoid confusion. A mismatch disrupts the browsing experience, making it difficult for users to predict what comes next.

Tips for Logical Navigation
- Use proper HTML structure: Semantic elements like headers (<h1> – <h6>), lists, and landmarks guide screen readers and browsers to interpret content correctly.
- Avoid positive tabindex values: Manually setting a positive tabindex can force elements into an unnatural order, leading to confusion.
- Provide “Skip to Main Content” links: These allow users to bypass repetitive navigation and jump straight to the main content.
- Beware of keyboard traps: Ensure users can always navigate away from popups, modals, or embedded elements using only the keyboard.
3. Proper tabindex Implementation

The tabindex attribute controls how elements receive focus. While useful in some cases, it’s often misused.

What tabindex Does
- tabindex="0": Inserts the element into the default tab order based on its position in the DOM. Ideal for custom interactive elements like <div> buttons.
- tabindex="-1": Removes an element from sequential keyboard navigation but allows focus via scripting. Useful for modals or hidden elements.
- Positive values (e.g., tabindex="1"): Best avoided, as forcing a custom order can break the expected tab sequence and frustrate users.
Best Practices
- Use semantic HTML (<button>, <a>), which is naturally keyboard-accessible.
- Avoid adding tabindex to non-interactive elements like text or static images.
- Use negative tabindex for hidden or modal content that should only receive focus under certain conditions.
- Stick to the natural tab order whenever possible—custom focus orders should be a last resort.
Testing Your Website’s Keyboard Accessibility

Even with best practices in place, testing is essential to catch issues before they impact users. A combination of manual and automated testing provides the most reliable results.

Manual Testing
- Navigate using only a keyboard: Use the Tab key to move through all interactive elements. Press Enter (or Space) to activate buttons and links.
- Check focus visibility: Ensure focus indicators are always clear and meet contrast requirements.
- Verify logical tab order: Does the sequence make sense based on how someone would naturally read or navigate your page?
- Watch for keyboard traps: Ensure modals, dropdowns, and embedded content allow users to navigate away freely.
Automated Testing Tools

Browser-Based Tools
- Firefox Accessibility Inspector: Displays how the browser interprets focusable elements.
- Chrome DevTools (Accessibility Panel): Helps analyze the site’s structure.
- WAVE Evaluation Tool: Flags potential accessibility issues directly in the browser.
While these tools are powerful, nothing replaces real user feedback. Testing with people who rely on keyboard navigation often reveals hidden issues automated tools miss.

Conclusion

Keyboard accessibility is a fundamental part of inclusive web design. Making sure users can navigate your site without a mouse ensures better usability for everyone—including people with disabilities who rely on keyboard navigation. Plus, it improves SEO, usability, and compliance, making it a win-win for both users and businesses.

The best practices covered here—such as customizing focus indicators, maintaining a logical tab order, and using tabindex responsibly—are essential steps toward a more accessible website. Regular testing, both manual and automated, helps ensure your site meets WCAG guidelines and delivers a smooth experience for all users.

For expert guidance, consider working with accessibility professionals like 216digital. Specialists can help you implement strategies that go beyond basic compliance, ensuring long-term usability and inclusivity. When you prioritize keyboard accessibility, you create a more welcoming web for everyone—and that’s a goal worth striving for.
Greg McNeil

March 13, 2025

How-to Guides

Accessibility, keyboard accessibility, Keyboard Navigation, tabindex, Web Accessibility, web developers, web development
How to Make Mega Menus More Accessible
A mega menu is typically a large, two-dimensional panel that appears when a user interacts with a top-level navigation item. It’s often used by eCommerce stores or websites with many different product categories or content sections. Because it can display a wide variety of links in a single view, a mega menu helps visitors explore your site quickly—no endless drilling down into submenus.

But here’s the catch: while mega menus make navigation simpler for many users, they can also create barriers for some. For example, hover-triggered mega menus might be useless for someone relying on a keyboard. Or, if the menu isn’t properly labeled, a screen reader user might get stuck in a confusing loop of unlabeled links.

These barriers matter because web accessibility is not just about following rules—it’s about ensuring everyone can use your site. If you leave people out, you risk alienating customers who want to purchase your products or read your content. So, let’s dive into some common accessibility issues and how to fix them.

Overcoming Common Accessibility Challenges

Improving Hover Functionality

Most mega menus open when you hover your mouse over the navigation item. However, hover-based menus can cause big problems for keyboard users (or anyone who can’t use a mouse).
- Inaccessible for Keyboard Users: People who navigate with the keyboard use the Tab key to move from link to link. If a menu only opens on hover, these users can’t open the submenu.
- Overly Sensitive Interactions: Sometimes, mega menus can pop open or shut at the slightest movement of your mouse. This makes them frustrating to use for everyone.
- The “Diagonal Problem”: If you move the mouse at an angle, you can sometimes trigger submenus you didn’t intend to open.
Best Practice: Use a click to open the submenus instead of relying on hover. This way, both mouse and keyboard users have a more predictable experience. A click is a clearer signal of intention, reducing accidental openings or closings.

Making Menus Easy to Close

A menu that’s hard to dismiss can trap users, especially if it covers a large portion of the screen. On the other hand, a menu that closes too quickly can frustrate users who accidentally hover away for a split second.

Solutions:
1. Escape Key Support: Let users close the menu by pressing the Escape key. This is a standard expectation in many UI patterns and helps keyboard users exit quickly.
2. Delayed Closing: If you decide to keep some hover functionality, add a slight delay before the submenu disappears. This grace period prevents the menu from closing by mistake if a user’s pointer drifts outside the panel for a moment.
Enhancing Keyboard Accessibility

Logical Keyboard Navigation

Keyboard navigation is a critical part of web accessibility. You want the user’s Tab key presses to move in a clear, intuitive order:
1. First Tab: Highlight the first top-level navigation item.
2. Enter Key: If the focused top-level item has a submenu, pressing Enter opens that submenu. Pressing Enter again on any submenu item activates the link.
3. Tab Within a Submenu: Moves focus to the next item in the submenu.
4. Escape Key: Closes the submenu and returns focus to the parent menu item.
5. Shift + Tab: Moves backward through the items, letting users navigate in reverse.
This logical flow ensures that people who rely on the keyboard won’t get lost or stuck.

Providing Clear Focus Indicators

When users press Tab, they should be able to see exactly which menu item is highlighted. This means using visible focus indicators:
- A change in background color, an underline, or a bold outline helps users quickly spot the focused item.
- Make sure the color contrast meets accessibility guidelines. Avoid using color alone—some users might not see color differences clearly. An underline or border is a more reliable visual cue.
Optimizing Screen Reader Support with ARIA

Choosing the Right ARIA Roles

Using role= "menu" for all navigation is a common mistake introduced in development. This role should only be used if your navigation behaves like a desktop application menu. For most website mega menus, it’s better to use simpler roles.

Recommended roles and attributes:
- role= "navigation": Declares that this section is a navigation landmark, which helps screen reader users quickly find or skip it.
- role= "menuitem": If you have interactive items that function like menu items (though for basic links, standard <a> elements might be enough).
- aria-haspopup= "true": Indicates that a button or link has a submenu.
- aria-expanded= "false": Tells screen readers if a section is closed. Switch it to true when the submenu opens.
Labeling and Describing Elements Properly

Screen readers need helpful labels to convey what the link or button does. If your button opens a “Products” submenu, label it clearly:
- Use aria-label= "Products Menu" or aria-labelledby=" [ID_of_label]" to associate a descriptive label with the menu.
- Provide descriptive link text. Instead of “Click here,” use something like “View our latest products.” This helps all users know exactly where the link leads.
Implementing Accessible Mega Menus with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript

Using Semantic HTML for Proper Structure

Below is a simple example showing how to structure an accessible mega menu:
```
<nav aria-label= "Main Menu">
  <ul>
    <li><a href="#">Home</a></li>
    <li>
      <button aria-expanded="false" aria-haspopup="true">Products</button>
      <ul>
        <li><a href="#">Product 1</a></li>
        <li><a href="#">Product 2</a></li>
      </ul>
    </li>
  </ul>
</nav>
```
Here’s why this works:
- <nav aria-label= "Main Menu">: The <nav> element is a semantic way to mark the navigation area. The aria-label helps screen readers identify it.
- <button> vs. <a>: Using a button for expandable menus is more accessible because it’s an interactive element by default and can easily handle the aria-expanded state.
- aria-expanded: Indicates whether the submenu is open or closed (true or false).
Styling Menus for Visibility & Interaction

Accessible styling goes beyond making things “look nice.” It ensures that focus states are clear. For instance:
```
nav button:focus {
  outline: 2px solid #005ea2;
  background-color: #f1f1f1;
}
nav ul ul {
  display: none;
}
nav button[aria-expanded="true"] + ul {
  display: block;
}
```
- The outline property and background-color change help users see the focused button.
- By default, submenus are hidden (display: none).
- When aria-expanded= "true", the submenu appears (display: block).
Enhancing Usability with JavaScript

A small amount of JavaScript can make your menus more accessible. Here’s how you can toggle the aria-expanded attribute:
```
document.querySelectorAll('nav button[aria-haspopup]').forEach(button => {
  button.addEventListener('click', () => {
    const expanded = button.getAttribute('aria-expanded') === 'true';
    button.setAttribute('aria-expanded', !expanded);
  });
});
```
- This code finds every button with aria-haspopup.
- When clicked, it checks if aria-expanded is currently true, then toggles it.
- This prevents menus from randomly opening on hover and gives users control.
Accessible Navigation Is an Ongoing Commitment

Building an accessible mega menu isn’t a one-and-done project. It takes careful planning, coding, and constant testing to make sure all users can move through your site with ease. However, the payoff is huge: better usability for everyone, including people with temporary or permanent disabilities, and compliance with accessibility standards like WCAG.

Remember, accessibility benefits everyone. Even a user with a short-term injury or someone on a small mobile device can benefit from keyboard-friendly and screen-reader-friendly menus. By making small changes to HTML, CSS, ARIA attributes, and JavaScript, you can open up your site to a larger audience and provide a smoother experience for all.

If you need expert guidance on web accessibility or want a thorough audit of your online store, 216digital can help. We specialize in creating inclusive, user-friendly experiences that keep your customers coming back and keep your website on the cutting edge of accessibility best practices. Don’t let your mega menus become mega barriers—start making them accessible today!
Greg McNeil

March 11, 2025

How-to Guides

Accessibility, accessible code, How-to, mega menu, web developers, web development, Website Accessibility
What is Inclusive Design?
These days, people rely on the internet for just about everything—shopping, learning, connecting with others, and more. That is why it is so important for websites to be easy to use for everyone, regardless of their abilities or backgrounds. Inclusive design ensures that digital spaces are welcoming and accessible to all, whether someone has a vision or hearing impairment, limited mobility, speaks a different language, or simply is not tech-savvy.

When businesses overlook accessibility, they risk shutting out entire groups of potential customers. So what exactly is inclusive design, and how can you make it a priority for your business? Let’s break it down.

What’s Inclusive Design and Why Does It Matter?

Most of us take certain web features for granted, like being able to click a button or read text on a screen. But imagine if someone has trouble seeing small letters or cannot operate a mouse. A website that is hard to use may prevent them from completing a simple task, such as filling out a form or finding important information. Inclusive design solves these problems by considering everyone’s needs from the start.

When we practice inclusive design, we do more than just check a box for accessibility. We build sites that help people with different backgrounds and abilities feel welcome. This approach lets businesses reach a larger audience and gives more people the chance to use digital tools. In the end, everyone benefits.

Key Principles of Inclusive Design

Inclusive design follows a few core principles to ensure websites and digital experiences work for the widest range of users. These principles help designers create sites that are flexible, clear, and easy to navigate for everyone.

1. Flexibility: Adapting to Different Needs

Flexibility is one of the most important principles of inclusive design. Websites should adapt to different user needs, devices, and environments. Not everyone interacts with a website in the same way, so design elements must be versatile.

For example, someone browsing on a smartphone may need larger buttons or a simpler layout to tap easily. A person using a screen reader may require properly labeled content so their assistive device can read text and links in a logical order. A website offering multiple ways to interact—such as voice commands, keyboard shortcuts, or touchscreen options—ensures users can engage with it in the way that suits them best.

2. Clarity: Making Information Easy to Read and Understand

Clarity is another core principle of inclusive design. If a website’s content is difficult to read or understand, it excludes many users. Sites should be simple, direct, and easy to follow.

Some ways to improve clarity include:
- Using plain language instead of technical jargon
- Writing short paragraphs and using bullet points to break up content
- Adding clear headings and subheadings to guide readers
- Avoiding long, complex sentences
These strategies benefit people with cognitive disabilities, those who speak English as a second language, and anyone who is quickly skimming for key information.

3. Consistency: Creating a Predictable Experience

Consistency is a key part of inclusive design because a predictable, structured website helps all users navigate smoothly. If menus, buttons, and links work the same way across different pages, visitors can find what they need without confusion.

For instance:
- Navigation menus should stay in the same place on every page
- Buttons and links should have clear labels describing their purpose
- Form fields should follow the same format throughout the site
Consistency is especially important for people using assistive technologies like screen readers, as it helps them understand and interact with a website more efficiently. It also benefits users who rely on keyboard navigation or voice commands.

Examples of Inclusive Design in Practice

A good example of inclusive design is seen on social media platforms that offer closed captioning for videos. This allows people who cannot hear—or those who do not want to disturb others—to follow along. News websites that highlight key text or break up content into simpler chunks also practice inclusive design: by using plain language and proper formatting, they make it easier for a broad audience to consume information.

Meanwhile, many e-commerce sites let shoppers filter products by color, size, or shape, helping those with specific needs. A person with color blindness might benefit from color labels spelled out in text, instead of relying on swatches alone, while someone with shaky hands might need larger buttons to click. These small adjustments illustrate how inclusive design can shape the online world to welcome everyone rather than turn people away.

Benefits of Inclusive Design

Embracing inclusive design does more than improve accessibility—it benefits businesses, organizations, and users alike. When websites accommodate all people, they become more effective, user-friendly, and legally compliant. Below are some of the biggest advantages of adopting inclusive design.

1. Reaching a Bigger Audience

One of the greatest benefits of inclusive design is how it expands a website’s reach. By being accessible to more people, businesses can connect with a larger and more diverse audience.

Many users rely on assistive technology or need specific design accommodations, including:
- People with visual impairments who use screen readers
- Users with hearing impairments who rely on captions and transcripts
- Individuals with mobility challenges who navigate via keyboard controls or voice commands
- People with cognitive differences who need clear, structured content
When websites are built for these groups, businesses and organizations can serve more customers and gain a competitive edge.

2. Improving User Experience for Everyone

A well-designed, inclusive website helps not just users with disabilities but all visitors. Clear text, logical navigation, and flexible layouts make websites easier for everyone to use.

For example:
- Captions on videos help users in noisy environments who cannot turn on the sound
- Readable fonts and high-contrast text improve legibility for all users, not just those with visual impairments
- Mobile-friendly designs ensure accessibility for people browsing on smartphones, tablets, and other devices
By prioritizing inclusive design, businesses create digital spaces that are both efficient and enjoyable for every user.

3. Staying Legally Compliant

Many countries have laws that require websites to be accessible. In the U.S., the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) set legal standards for digital accessibility. Failure to comply can lead to lawsuits, fines, and damage to a brand’s reputation. In 2024 alone, more than 4,000 websites were sued for not meeting accessibility requirements, highlighting the serious risks of ignoring inclusive design.

Businesses that do not meet these standards may face legal action from advocacy groups or individuals. Ensuring compliance from the start helps companies avoid these challenges while showing a commitment to equal access.

Simple Steps to Get Started

Inclusive design principles become easier to apply when you follow a few basic steps:
- Plan Early
- Include accessibility and usability in the early stages of your web project. Think about how users with diverse needs will interact with each part of your site.
- Use Clear Language
- Write in short sentences and simple words. This benefits people who speak English as a second language or have reading difficulties.
- Focus on Layout
- Organize your page in a logical way. Use headings, subheadings, and clear labels. This makes it easier for screen readers to process content.
- Color Contrast Matters
- Ensure your text and backgrounds have enough contrast. Free online tools like WebAIM’s Contrast Checker can help you check color contrast levels.
- Provide Text Alternatives
- Add captions to videos and alternative text for images. This helps people who cannot see the screen or hear the audio.
- Test with Real Users
- Set aside time to watch real users test your site. This is one of the most effective ways to find out what works and what does not.
Tools and Techniques

Several tools and techniques can help you practice inclusive design. Many free online checkers let you test color contrast, readability, and overall accessibility. Browser extensions can point out areas of your site that need attention. You can also try using a screen reader—like NVDA, VoiceOver on a Mac or Narrator on Windows—to experience your website as someone with vision impairments might.

If you apply inclusive design effectively, consider adding features such as keyboard navigation, enabling users to move around your site with arrow keys or the Tab key instead of a mouse. Another useful practice is to highlight the selected element on screen, helping people see which button or link they are about to activate.

Conclusion

Inclusive design is not just a best practice—it is a necessary approach for creating digital experiences that work for everyone. Websites that prioritize inclusive design are more accessible, easier to navigate, and more effective at reaching diverse audiences. By focusing on accessibility from the outset, businesses can avoid costly redesigns, improve user engagement, and ensure legal compliance.

At 216digital, we understand the importance of inclusive design and the role it plays in establishing a successful online presence. Our team specializes in accessibility audits, website design, and ongoing compliance monitoring to help businesses meet the highest accessibility standards. Ensuring your website is accessible is not just about checking a legal box—it is about creating a better online experience for everyone. Contact 216digital today to make sure your website is designed for all users.
Greg McNeil

March 5, 2025

How-to Guides, Web Design & Development

Accessible Design, Graphic Designer, inclusive desgin, Web Accessible Design
6 Ways to Improve Icon Accessibility in Web Design
Icons are everywhere in web design—on navigation menus, buttons, and even instructional graphics. They help users navigate, take action, and understand content at a glance. But just because an icon looks great doesn’t mean it’s effective for everyone. When it comes to creating inclusive websites, icon accessibility is crucial. If an icon is confusing or too small, it can frustrate users, create barriers, and even cost you traffic or conversions. That’s why accessibility and usability should be top priorities.

In this article, we’ll explore six actionable ways to improve icon design so that your icons are clear, usable, and accessible to all users, including those with disabilities. Whether you’re a website owner, content creator, or web developer, these tips will help ensure your icons work well for everyone, including people with visual, motor, or cognitive impairments.

1. Make Your Icons Easy to See

Contrast Matters

When designing icons, it’s significant that they stand out from the background rather than blend in. The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) recommend a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 for text and images of text. Icons, especially those carrying critical information, should meet or exceed this contrast standard.

Why It’s Important

Low-contrast icons can be almost invisible to users with vision impairments, complicating navigating or completing tasks on your site.

How To Do It

Tools like the WebAIM Contrast Checker can help you confirm that your color choices meet accessibility guidelines. If your background is light, ensure your icons are noticeably darker, and vice versa.

Size Counts

Just as crucial as contrast is icon size. Small icons can be a nightmare for users with poor vision or those who rely on assistive technology like screen magnifiers. They can also pose a challenge for people with motor disabilities who struggle to tap or click small icons accurately.

Recommended size

Aim for an icon touch target of at least 44×44 pixels. This size gives enough space for a user’s finger or cursor to select the icon without accidentally triggering something else.

Common pitfalls

Anything smaller than 24×24 pixels is typically too small to be easily clicked or tapped. If you’re designing for mobile, remember that users’ fingers are bigger than a precise mouse pointer.

2. Always Pair Icons with Text

Relying solely on icons can create confusion, especially if your visitors aren’t familiar with certain symbols. A perfect example is the infamous “hamburger menu.” While common in modern design, not everyone recognizes what the three stacked lines represent. By adding a text label, you remove any guesswork.

Why It’s Important

Text labels make icons understandable for users who might not recognize specific symbols. They also provide additional context for screen readers, who may not interpret icons alone correctly.
- Bad example: A search button that shows only a magnifying glass icon.
- Good example: Pair the magnifying glass icon with the word “Search.” This ensures clarity for everyone.
Including text labels is a simple but effective step toward better icon accessibility and can drastically improve user experience.

3. Use Clear, Functional Alt Text

Alt text (alternative text) plays a vital role in accessibility. It’s a description that screen readers read aloud for users who can’t see the images on a page. Regarding icons, the alt text should describe the icon’s function rather than its appearance.
- Examples: Bad: alt= “Icon of a house”
- Good: alt= “Go to homepage”
If the icon is purely decorative and conveys no essential information, mark it as aria-hidden= "true" or use an empty alt="" to keep screen readers from reading irrelevant content.

Use Proper Coding Techniques

Depending on the format of your icon, there are slightly different approaches to ensure screen readers interpret them correctly:
1. <img> elements → Use the alt attribute, like alt=”Search button”.
2. SVG icons → Provide a <title> tag within the SVG file or inline code.
3. Icon fonts → Sometimes, screen readers treat icon fonts as text characters. Use aria-hidden= "true" for the icon itself, and include hidden text (e.g., <span class= "visually-hidden">Search</span>) for accessibility.
This attention to detail ensures that people using screen readers will know the icon’s function without having to interpret a cryptic or generic description.

4. Be Consistent with Icons

Consistency is key in web design, especially regarding icon accessibility. Each icon should have a clear meaning across your entire website or app.

Why It’s Important

If you use a magnifying glass icon to indicate “Search” in one area of your site, using the same symbol for “Zoom” somewhere else can confuse users. A confused user is more likely to leave your site or miss important content.

Avoid Multiple Meanings

Don’t use one icon to represent more than one function. This can break user trust and make them second-guess every click.

By keeping your icons consistent, you help users develop familiarity with the symbols on your site. Reducing the cognitive load for everyone, including users with disabilities who rely on screen readers or keyboard navigation.

5. Make Icons Keyboard & Assistive Tech Friendly

Some users cannot use a mouse or touchpad and rely solely on their keyboard. Others use assistive technology like screen readers or voice control. Ensuring your icons work with these tools is essential for accessibility.

Keyboard Navigation

Every interactive icon should be reachable and operable using only a keyboard. Users should be able to tab to an icon and activate it with the Enter or Spacebar keys.
- Tips: Use logical tab ordering in your HTML to ensure icons follow a coherent navigation sequence.
- Ensure focus styles are visible (e.g., a visible outline or highlight around the icon when selected).
Screen Reader Support

Icons can easily confuse screen reader users if not labeled correctly. This is where ARIA labels or hidden text come into play. For instance, if an icon triggers a search action, you could include an ARIA label such as aria-label= "Search" on the button element, or you can nest a visually hidden <span> that says “Search.”

Why It Matters

Without ARIA labels or hidden text, a screen reader might read the icon as a “button” or, worse, give no information.

How To Do It
```
<button aria-label="Search">
  <svg aria-hidden="true"> ... </svg>
  <span class="visually-hidden">Search</span>
</button>
```
Ensure keyboard and screen reader users have the proper context to interact with your icon.

6. Choose the Right Icon Format

Icons can be added to a webpage in several ways, but SVG and PNG are two of the most popular image formats. Alternatively, some designers opt for icon fonts. Each has its pros and cons when considering icon accessibility.

SVG & PNG Are Your Friends

SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics)
- Pros: These files are resolution-independent, meaning they scale well to any size without losing quality. They can also be easily styled with CSS and annotated with titles or labels for accessibility.
- Cons: If you’re unfamiliar with SVG syntax, the setup process can be more involved.
PNG (Portable Network Graphics)
- Pros: Excellent for icons that don’t need to scale up drastically. PNGs offer high-quality images with transparency.
- Cons: They’re not always the best for large or small displays, as they can become pixelated or blurry when scaled.
Beware of Icon Fonts

Icon fonts replace letters with symbols, so the text “A” might visually display as a house icon. While this can be convenient, it can create issues for screen readers who might read the text as a letter rather than a graphic. If you use icon fonts:
- ARIA: Add aria-hidden= "true" to ensure the screen reader ignores the font.
- Hidden text: Include a visually hidden <span> with the function of the icon, such as “Home” or “Search.”
By choosing the right format, you help ensure users can see or interact with the icon regardless of their device or abilities.

Team Up with 216digital for Better Accessibility

Mastering icon accessibility is more than just following guidelines; it’s about providing an inclusive experience for everyone who visits your website. Clear, intuitive icons can significantly improve your site’s usability, particularly for users who rely on assistive technologies.

If you’re unsure where to begin or want to ensure accessibility experts handle every detail, consider partnering with 216digital. Our team has extensive experience creating accessible, user-friendly websites that work seamlessly across different devices and for people of all abilities. We’ll help you fine-tune every aspect of your icons, from contrast ratios and alt text to keyboard navigation and consistent design.

Ready to level up your website’s accessibility? Contact us for a quick briefing and see how we can help strengthen your site’s icon design. Together, we can create a web experience that welcomes everyone, reflecting your brand values and maximizing your reach in a diverse online world.
Greg McNeil

February 14, 2025

How-to Guides

Accessibility, How-to, Icon Accessibility, web developers, web development, Website Accessibility

What Is Audio Description?

How Is Audio Description Created?

Writing the Script

Voicing the Description

How Is Audio Description Published?

Benefits of Audio Description

Alternative to Audio Description

Why Audio Description Is Worth Prioritizing

Why Accessibility Matters in Marketing

Grow Your Audience—Organically

Improve Your Brand’s Credibility

Get a Natural SEO Boost

Stay Compliant and Reduce Risk

Website Accessibility Tips

Make Your Content Easy to Navigate

Always Add Alt Text to Images

Use Clear Language and Short Sentences

Check Keyboard Navigation and Focus Indicators

Be Careful With Animated Content

Social Media Accessibility Best Practices

Alt Text Isn’t Just for Websites

Format Hashtags Clearly

Limit Emoji Usage

Multimedia Accessibility Strategies

Use Captions and Transcripts

Add Audio Descriptions

Making Accessibility a Habit

Make Accessibility Part of Your Workflow

Regularly Improve

Closing the Conversion Gap

What Is WCAG’s Bypass Blocks Rule?

Do Landmarks and Headings Count as Bypass Tools?

Why a Skip Link Is Still Best Practice

Other Tools That Help With Page Navigation

Alternative Navigation Aids

How to Add a Skip Link the Right Way

Position the Link as the First Focusable Element

Ensure Proper Keyboard Functionality

Example:

Ensure the Skip Link Is Visible When Focused

Mistakes to Avoid With Skip Links

Check That Your Skip Link Actually Works

Make Navigation Easy for Everyone with 216digital

Life Without a Mouse

Avoiding Common Pitfalls

The WCAG Connection

Simple Tips to Get It Right

Testing and Tweaking Your Site

Wrapping Up

Understanding Tables in Web Design

Data Tables

Making Data Tables Accessible

Layout Tables

Why They Were Used

Why It’s Time to Move On

When You Have to Use Layout Tables

Best Practices for Using Layout Tables (Responsibly)

CSS to the Rescue

CSS Grid Layout

CSS Flexbox

Follow the Principles, Not Just the Code

Key Guidelines from WCAG to Keep in Mind:

Quick Recap: Best Practices

Final Thoughts

Why Does Coffee Shop Website Accessibility Matters?

Missing Alt Text for Images

Hard-to-Read Text and Poor Contrast

Unclear Headings and Structure

Unlabeled or Unclear Links and Buttons

Forms Without Proper Labels

Videos Without Captions or Transcripts

How to Get Started

A Warm Welcome, On and Offline

What Is Keyboard Accessibility?

Common Keyboard Accessibility Challenges

1. Designing Effective Focus Indicators

Why Focus Indicators Matter

Best Practices for Focus Indicators

Understanding the :focus-visible Pseudo-Class

2. Maintaining a Logical Navigation Order

Understanding the `:focus-visible` Pseudo-Class

3. Proper `tabindex` Implementation