Making Your Website Accessible Across All Devices

In today’s digital world, websites aren’t just accessed on desktops—they’re viewed on everything from smartphones to tablets. But with this variety of devices comes a significant challenge: ensuring your website works for everyone, no matter what screen they’re using. This is especially important for people with disabilities.

Web accessibility is about more than just following the rules. It’s about making sure everyone can navigate, interact with, and enjoy your site. If your website isn’t accessible, you’re not only missing out on a large audience but also putting your business at risk of legal trouble. And as devices become more diverse, testing your site across different screen sizes and input methods is crucial.

In this article, we’ll explore why web accessibility matters across different devices and share ways you can ensure your site is user-friendly and inclusive for everyone.

Why Web Accessibility Matters

Ensuring web accessibility is not just a best practice; it’s a vital responsibility. Web accessibility guarantees that people with disabilities can fully engage with digital content—whether that’s perceiving, understanding, navigating, or interacting with it. In the U.S., this is a legal requirement under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Failing to meet these standards doesn’t just alienate a significant portion of your potential audience; it can also expose businesses to serious legal risks.

But accessibility is about more than avoiding lawsuits. It’s about creating a digital experience that works for everyone, regardless of how they access your site. Users interact with websites across a wide range of devices—desktops, mobile phones, and tablets—each bringing its own set of accessibility challenges. Comprehensive, device-specific testing is essential to make sure that your website remains fully functional and inclusive, no matter how users access it.

Understanding Device-Specific Accessibility Challenges

Web Accessibility on Desktops

Desktops typically offer a full-sized screen and a mouse with a keyboard. While this setup may seem straightforward, it presents its challenges. Many users rely on keyboard navigation due to mobility impairments. If your site isn’t designed for keyboard users, navigating through forms, menus, and interactive elements can be frustrating.

Web Accessibility Challenges:

Missing or improper use of semantic HTML.
Lack of focus indicators for interactive elements.
Insufficient contrast between the text and background colors.

Mobile Devices

Mobile devices are now a primary way people access the internet. However, small screens and touch interfaces create unique hurdles. For example, touch targets (like buttons) must be large enough for users with dexterity issues to tap accurately.

Accessibility Challenges:

Inadequate touch target sizes.
Poorly designed forms that are difficult to fill out on a small screen.
Inconsistent navigation may confuse users who switch between mobile and desktop views.

Web Accessibility on Tablets

Tablets straddle the line between desktop and mobile devices, often combining features. Users may interact with tablets via touch or keyboard, making it vital for websites to accommodate both methods. Tablets can also be used in various orientations, which may affect layout and functionality.

Accessibility Challenges:

Orientation changes that disrupt layout.
Inconsistent behavior between touch and keyboard navigation.
Complications with zoom functionality affect users with visual impairments.

Effective Testing Methods and Tools

Now that we’ve explored the challenges let’s discuss how to test for accessibility effectively across different devices. Testing for web accessibility is an ongoing process that requires attention to detail and a proactive approach.

1. Manual Testing for Web Accessibility

Manual testing involves using your website as a user would. This means navigating through your site using keyboard-only navigation and screen readers. Pay close attention to how easily you can access all content.

Tips for Manual Testing:

Navigate your site using only the keyboard (Tab, Enter, Arrow keys).
Test with various screen readers (like JAWS, NVDA, or VoiceOver).
Attempt to use your site on different devices and in different orientations.

2. Automated Testing Tools

While automated tools can’t catch every issue, they can help identify many common accessibility problems. Tools like Lighthouse and WAVE can scan your website to ensure compliance with WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) standards.

Recommended Tools:

Lighthouse: Built into Chrome Developer Tools for performance and accessibility audits.
WAVE: A visual feedback tool that shows you accessibility issues directly on your site.

3. User Testing for Web Accessibility

Involving real users in your testing process is invaluable. This approach can reveal issues that automated tools might miss. Consider creating a focus group that includes users with various disabilities to gather their feedback.

How to Conduct User Testing:

Recruit participants with different abilities and device preferences.
Observe them as they navigate your site.
Collect qualitative feedback on their experience.

Final Thoughts

Making your website accessible to everyone is not just a legal requirement—it’s a crucial part of creating a welcoming online experience. With people accessing websites on various devices, understanding and addressing web accessibility challenges is essential.

To ensure your site meets these standards, consider scheduling an ADA briefing with the experts at 216digital. Our experts will guide you through the steps needed to ensure your website not only meets legal standards but also serves all users effectively. Let’s work together to create a web that’s accessible to everyone!