Making our websites accessible for users with disabilities is essential these days. I'm curious about what improvements you've made to enhance accessibility for differently abled users. For example, implementing keyboard navigation for those who can't use a mouse, optimizing sites for screen readers, and ensuring good color contrast for those with vision impairments can significantly improve user experience. Have you taken any steps like this?
5 Answers
Lighthouse is one tool I’ve heard about for checking accessibility, but I find it’s not the best fit for more complex needs. Just like trying to use a bike to haul heavy stuff, it doesn’t always cut it!
I think it's simply better to use 'disabled.' Some people might prefer the term 'differently abled' thinking it's nicer, but I've found that most disabled individuals and advocacy groups prefer 'disabled.' It just feels more appropriate when talking about the reality of disability.
Exactly! While 'differently abled' tries to be positive, it can overlook the realities many face. It's best to use terms that reflect the community's preferences.
There are times when accessibility is crucial and other times when the cost of improving it outweighs the benefits, especially if the groundwork wasn't laid initially. However, if you use proper semantic HTML from the start, many accessibility features will automatically be incorporated.
It's definitely important to use clear language. I aim for at least AA standard when making websites. One tool I recommend is the Storybook accessibility checker—it provides a first layer of checks for your UI.
Accessibility is definitely something I keep in mind. It really depends on the project, but it’s way easier to incorporate features from the beginning than to fix issues later. I personally rely heavily on keyboard navigation since I misclick a lot with the mouse—makes things a lot smoother for me!
Totally agree! It's important to have the right tools that match the task, and sometimes Lighthouse just doesn't fit the bill for everything we need.