Most designers are familiar with addressing common accessibility issues, such as missing alt text for images or insufficient color contrast. Digital accessibility ensures that digital products cater to users of all abilities. However, beyond these well-known issues, there are subtle pitfalls that can hinder accessibility, leading users to feel frustrated or even alienated.
This article highlights five of these often-overlooked mistakes. By addressing these, designers can ensure their pages remain as accessible as possible.
1. Hidden or missing focus indicators
Hidden or missing focus indicators can significantly impact digital accessibility. Focus indicators highlight selected elements on a web page. They often appear as outlines around interactive components like buttons, forms or links. If focus indicators are missing, keyboard-only users may be unable to perceive hidden controls.
Designers must remember to add these indicators and make sure they stand out. Adhering to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) is a good start. As such, the color of the focus indicator should maintain a contrast ratio of at least 3:1 against the web page's background.
Additionally, the thickness of the focus indicator is vital. It should be no less than 2 CSS Pixels. A simple "squint test" can be a practical gauge: if the indicator remains visible when you squint, it's likely thick enough. If not, the indicator needs adjustment.
2. Using images in place of text
Using images to display text instead of actual text can be a significant accessibility misstep. Here, designers may represent written information with images rather than CSS-styled text. This is often seen in complex visuals like graphs or charts.
While this might offer visual consistency, it can have a negative impact on digital accessibility, particularly for users with cognitive or visual disabilities. For one thing, screen readers and other assistive tools can't read images of text as they can with CSS-styled text. If someone tries to use a screen reader on a graph with text images, they'll miss important details.
Furthermore, it isn’t possible to scale up PNG or JPG images of text. If a user with low vision tries to do so, the image will become blurry.
Always ensure that text within images is also available as CSS text. Provide an adjacent CSS text description for complex visuals like graphs or charts where this might need to be more practical.
Images might be more appropriate than text for logos, brand elements, or similar graphics. To ensure digital accessibility, it is important to purposefully use images and media and include alt text for all images.
3. Keyboard traps
Keyboard traps occur when a user cannot navigate away from a specific web page element using only their keyboard. Some might consider this a minor inconvenience, but it presents a significant challenge for users who rely solely on keyboard navigation.
Users who need a mouse or trackpad to function, as are those with mobility or vision impairments, are included in this group. Keyboard traps frustrate and exclude these users.
To combat this, ensure users can use their keyboard to move through your content, exiting any element once they reach its end. Test for this by navigating your site using only the Tab key.
Also, offer keyboard shortcuts to let users shift away from specific content sections. For instance, 'use Alt+M' to return users to the main menu. Just remember to communicate these shortcuts and their functions to users.
4. Confusing hierarchical structure
Pages with excessive content and no clear hierarchy can confuse and frustrate users. They might find it challenging to complete tasks or miss crucial information. They may even opt to avoid revisiting complex web pages.
For a user-friendly experience, organize your content into logical sections. Use visual cues like dividing lines, whitespace and different background colors. Use headings, subheadings or bullet points to show the structure and purpose of various regions.
Moreover, clearly define any relationships between different sections. This clarity helps users easily understand the content's structure, importance, and purpose.
5. Haphazard use of ARIA
Accessible Rich Internet Applications (ARIA) are invaluable for web accessibility. Designers add ARIA attributes to HTML elements, enhancing generic tags. This aids assistive technologies, like screen readers, in better understanding and conveying web page content.
However, many need to understand, misapply or overvalue ARIA's effectiveness. While a powerful tool, its improper use can lead to significant accessibility issues. A common mistake is adding ARIA haphazardly or as an afterthought. And since ARIA doesn't visually alter a page, these errors often remain unnoticed.
Consider a button element on a web page. Assigning a <div> with the ARIA role="button" doesn't grant the button's inherent functionality. A screen reader might announce a button, but the expected button behavior is absent.
Before resorting to ARIA, prioritize using native HTML. For buttons, simply use the <button> tag.
Conclusion
While many understand the basics of digital accessibility, subtle mistakes often go unnoticed, particularly affecting those using assistive technologies. Oversights such as neglecting visible focus indicators or misusing ARIA attributes can lead to user frustration and exclusion.
Designers can achieve a cohesive user experience by proactively addressing these problems. Following this article's guidance, they can contribute to creating more inclusive digital environments.
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