It is no secret that businesses of all sizes are increasingly using WordPress to power their websites. It’s a great platform with tons of features and options, and it can be customised to meet the needs of almost any company or organisation. But while WordPress is known for its flexibility and customizability, it’s not always recognized for its accessibility, although tools such as accessiBe WordPress aim to change that.
Many people think of accessibility as only important for people with disabilities, but that’s not the case. Accessibility is important for everyone because it makes it possible to access and use websites and web applications.
There has been a push to make the web more accessible for everyone in recent years, and WordPress has been at the forefront of that effort. WordPress is committed to accessibility, and it offers several features and options that make it a great platform for businesses that want to make their websites accessible.
There are a few things that businesses can do to make their WordPress websites more accessible:
Use an accessibility-ready theme
There are a number of WordPress themes that have been designed with accessibility in mind. These themes include features like high contrast colours, large font sizes, and ample whitespace, making websites easier to read and navigate for everyone.
Install an accessibility plugin
Many WordPress plugins can help make your website more accessible. These plugins offer features like text-to-speech, keyboard navigation, and content accessibility.
Optimise your images
All of the images on your website should have alternative text (alt-text) that describes their content. This is important for people using screen readers, as it will allow them to understand what the image is.
Make sure your website is mobile-friendly
More and more people are accessing the web from their mobile devices, so it’s important to make sure your website is designed for mobile. This means using a responsive design that scales to fit different screen sizes and making sure your content is easy to read on a small screen.
Use video and audio transcripts
If you use video or audio on your website, it’s important to provide transcripts. This will allow people who are deaf or hard of hearing to understand the content, and it will also make your website more accessible to people who are using screen readers.
Test your website
It’s important to test your website regularly to make sure it is accessible to everyone. Several online tools can help you test your website, including the WAVE Web Accessibility Tool and the Accessibility Inspector in Google Chrome.
Get help from an expert
If you’re not sure how to make your website more accessible, there are a number of companies and organisations that offer accessibility consulting services. These services can help you identify and fix accessibility issues on your website.
Stay up-to-date on accessibility news
The world of accessibility is always changing, so it’s important to stay up-to-date on the latest news and trends. You can follow WordPress Accessibility on Twitter or subscribe to the WordPress Accessibility blog.
Conclusion
Making your WordPress website more accessible is a great way to show your commitment to inclusion and diversity. It’s also a good business move, as it will make your website more usable for a wider range of people. If you’re not sure where to start, there are a number of resources available to help you make your WordPress website more accessible.
