What is Web Accessibility?
Web accessibility refers to using tools and technologies used to develop websites that cater to the disabled community.
A disabled site visitor, just like any other visitor, should be able to understand, perceive, navigate, and interact with the content on your site whether it’s viewed on a mobile or desktop device.
Web accessibility covers all forms of permanent disabilities, including physical, hearing, speech, visual, cognitive, and neurological. However, even people with temporary impairments can benefit from a site that adheres to digital accessibility standards.
Why Accessibility Matters:
Following accessibility best practices improves the online experience for all members of our school communities. Learn the fundamentals of what online accessibility is, why it matters, and best practices for keeping your school website accessible to everyone in your community!
Watch the video below (12:43 minutes) to learn more about Web Accessibility:
What you can do to keep your website accessible:
Rally websites have been developed with many accessibility features built-in. However, there are some things you can do to assist all users who visit your website.
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Use Effective Page Titles
Disabled users rely on good page titles, as it’s the first thing a screen reader will read out when someone lands on a page. When writing a page title, make sure that it’s descriptive but still specific enough that anyone can understand it.
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Use descriptive links
A number of users who browse your website will do so with the help of a screen reader. Screen readers assist those with low vision or cognitive difficulties by reading out the text on their screen, which includes links. When the hyperlinked text on your site is not descriptive, it can create a confusing experience.
Instead of simply hyperlinking the words “Click Here” or “https://www.website.ca”, it’s better to hyperlink several words that explain exactly what a link does or where it’s leading. For example: “View the Student Handbook” or “Visit the Academics page”
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Use “alt text” for images
Alt text (or “Alt Tag”) is a description of an image on your site so a screen reader can provide a user with more context about what’s on the screen. If your images only have long and confusing file names, this is what is read out to your visitors.
Alt text should always be short, descriptive, and relevant to the rest of the content on the page. For example: “students playing volleyball” or “playground equipment”
* You won’t be able to copy/paste an image, or save an image without adding alt text.
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Text as Images
Try to avoid using images to display text. If you do use a poster, for example, also include a text version of the same information.
Decorative images that don’t make a difference to the user experience can be given a blank alt text contained in quotation marks (“ “) or the alt text should contain the same words as in the image.
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Use Headers to organize page content
Rally offers Header 3 and Header 4 formatting for text so anyone can clearly understand the flow and importance of page content. It’s also important to not skip heading ranks or a screen reader could read out the text incorrectly.
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Allow users to pause or stop animations & scrolling if using media
Using elements such as slideshows and videos is a good way to include a lot of information on a page. However, it can be difficult for some users to engage with it.
While you don’t need to stop using this type of content, it’s important for a visitor to have the ability to pause or stop it, if needed.