Designing for Accessibility: 5 Common Web Design Errors to Avoid [Infographic]

Designing for Accessibility: 5 Common Web Design Errors to Avoid

Why Accessibility Matters

With over 1 billion people worldwide living with some form of disability, accessible web design is no longer a nicety, but a necessity. Ensuring your website is accessible not only opens up your content to a broader audience, but also improves the user experience for everyone.

Error #1: Insufficient Color Contrast

When choosing colors for your website, ensure that there is sufficient contrast between the text and background. A contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 is recommended for normal text and 3:1 for larger text (14pt or 18.66px).

What they did: A company used a pale yellow background with light gray text, making it difficult for users with visual impairments to read.
Why it worked: The company realized that using a high-contrast color scheme not only improved accessibility but also increased user engagement.
Lesson for your business: Ensure sufficient color contrast to make your content accessible and user-friendly.

Error #2: Lack of Alternative Text for Images

Alternative text (alt text) provides a description of an image for screen readers and search engines. Without alt text, images are inaccessible to users who rely on assistive technologies.

What they did: A website added images without providing alt text, making the content inaccessible to users with visual impairments.
Why it worked: The website realized the importance of alt text and added it to their images, improving accessibility and search engine rankings.
Lesson for your business: Always provide alt text for images to ensure accessibility and SEO benefits.

Error #3: Inadequate Keyboard Navigation

Keyboard navigation is crucial for users who cannot use a mouse. Ensure that your website can be navigated using a keyboard and that all interactive elements can be accessed via keyboard-only navigation.

What they did: A website failed to provide keyboard navigation, making it difficult for users with mobility impairments to use the website.
Why it worked: The website realized the importance of keyboard navigation and updated their website to be accessible via keyboard-only navigation.
Lesson for your business: Ensure that your website is accessible via keyboard-only navigation to cater to users with mobility impairments.

Error #4: Inaccessible PDFs

PDFs can be inaccessible if they are not created with accessibility in mind. Ensure that your PDFs have alternative text for images, are tagged correctly, and are readable by screen readers.

What they did: A company published a PDF report without considering accessibility, making it inaccessible to users with visual impairments.
Why it worked: The company realized the importance of accessible PDFs and updated their reports to be accessible via screen readers.
Lesson for your business: Ensure that your PDFs are accessible to cater to users with visual impairments.

Error #5: Poor Headings Structure

A clear and logical headings structure is essential for screen readers and users who rely on them. Ensure that your headings follow a logical order and that they are used consistently throughout the website.

What they did: A website used headings inconsistently, making it difficult for users with visual impairments to navigate the website.
Why it worked: The website realized the importance of a clear headings structure and updated their website to be more accessible.
Lesson for your business: Ensure that your headings structure is logical and consistent to improve accessibility and user experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why is accessibility important for my business?
A: Accessibility is important because it opens up your content to a broader audience, improving the user experience for everyone.

Q: What are some common web design errors to avoid?
A: Some common errors to avoid include insufficient color contrast, lack of alternative text for images, inadequate keyboard navigation, inaccessible PDFs, and poor headings structure.

Q: How can I ensure that my website is accessible?
A: To ensure that your website is accessible, follow web accessibility guidelines, provide alternative text for images, ensure keyboard navigation, create accessible PDFs, and maintain a clear and logical headings structure.

About the Author

Rajendaran is the Lead Digital Strategist at Cpluz, where he blends creative design with data-driven marketing strategies to help Indian businesses build powerful and profitable online presences. As a seasoned expert in web accessibility, he ensures that every project meets the highest standards of accessibility and usability.

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