Building Accessible Websites: A Developer's Guide

Accessibility isn't optional—it's essential.Here's how to build websites that work for everyone.

Why Accessibility Matters

• 15 % of the world's population has some form of disability
  • Accessible sites rank better in search engines
    • It's often legally required
      • It improves the experience for all users

Core Principles(POUR)

Perceivable

Information must be presentable in ways users can perceive:

• Alt text for images
  • Captions for videos
    • Sufficient color contrast

Operable

Users must be able to navigate and use the interface:

• Keyboard navigation
  • Skip links
    • No time limits on interactions

Understandable

Content and operation must be understandable:

• Clear language
  • Predictable navigation
    • Helpful error messages

Robust

Content must work with assistive technologies:

• Valid HTML
  • ARIA labels where needed
    • Testing with screen readers

Quick Wins

1. Add alt text to all meaningful images
2. Use semantic HTML elements
3. Ensure 4.5: 1 color contrast ratio
4. Make all interactive elements keyboard accessible
5. Add focus indicators

Testing Tools

• axe DevTools browser extension
  • WAVE evaluation tool
    • VoiceOver(Mac) or NVDA(Windows)

Conclusion

Accessibility is a journey, not a destination.Start with the basics and continuously improve.