More than ALT tags: Building accessible websites

By now, most developers, designers and site owners know that accessibility is no longer a “nice to have,” it is necessary. 

… In theory, at least.

In reality, however, accessibility -- the practice of ensuring that websites and applications are available to all users, regardless of ability -- is still too often an afterthought. 

There are many reasons for this: beliefs that accessibility best practices cramp creativity, developers not fully understanding what code is needed to make accessible websites (hint: It’s more than just ALT tags), content editors believing accessibility is a developer responsibility, and vice versa, and a belief that, “We don’t have any disabled users visiting the site.” 

When we do plan for accessible websites, we often think only of blind and deaf users. But accessibility encompasses much more than that. Mobility challenges, loss of fine motor control, and cognitive disabilities are other aspects of ability for which we need to plan. According to the 2012 census, almost 1 in 5 Americans have a disability of some kind. Most of us will have a disability at some point in our lives, especially as we grow older. 

Accessibility helps everyone, regardless of ability. When we structure our page sections so that screen readers can parse them properly for the hearing-impaired, we are making our sites more friendly to Google as well. When our content uses plain language instead of lingo or overly technical terms, we don’t only help people with cognitive disabilities; we also make reading easier for non-native English speakers, or even people who are distracted or in a hurry.  

In this presentation, we will share real-world examples of how to build accessibility into a project’s design and development from the start. We will also bring tips for making your existing website more accessible without a complete overhaul.

We will discuss: 

• Accessibility features of Drupal
• The difference between Section 508 and WCAG
• Steps developers and site editors can take to make sites more accessible
• How accessibility should influence your content strategy
• Many different aspects of disability, and how to accommodate them.
• Selecting a development partner who is well-versed in accessibility best practices
• Tools and resources to plan your site and improve your site’s compliance to accessibility standards.