DIY Accessibility Testing Tips for WordPress
In today’s world, the name of the game is inclusion. And while web accessibility isn’t a new concept, in recent years web accessibility has become more accessible in itself. At its core, web accessibility is the practice of design and building a website to be functional for as many users as possible. Users who are visually impaired, hearing impaired, or have cognitive or physical disabilities should be able to access and use a website with ease.
WordPress is one of the most popular content management systems (CMS) on the web, powering over 30% of all websites. As such, it’s important for WordPress users to ensure that their websites are accessible to all users. In this article, we’ll provide some DIY accessibility testing tips for WordPress users.
1. Use Accessibility Plugins
One of the easiest ways to ensure that your WordPress website is accessible is by using accessibility plugins. There are several plugins available that can help you make your website more accessible. Some popular options include WP Accessibility, Accessible Poetry, and Accessibility Widget.
WP Accessibility is a free plugin that adds several accessibility features to your website, including skip links, keyboard navigation, and more. Accessible Poetry is another free plugin that adds an accessibility toolbar to your website, allowing users to adjust font sizes, contrast, and more. Accessibility Widget is a paid plugin that adds an accessibility widget to your website, allowing users to adjust font sizes, contrast, and more.
2. Use Alt Tags for Images
Alt tags are a way to describe images on your website for users who are visually impaired. When an image cannot be displayed, the alt tag will be read aloud by screen readers. It’s important to use descriptive alt tags that accurately describe the image.
To add an alt tag to an image in WordPress, simply click on the image in the media library and add the alt text in the “Alt Text” field.
3. Use Headings Properly
Headings are an important part of web accessibility. They help users who are visually impaired navigate your website by providing a clear hierarchy of content. Headings should be used in order, starting with H1 for the main title of the page, followed by H2 for subheadings, and so on.
To add headings in WordPress, simply highlight the text you want to turn into a heading and select the appropriate heading level from the dropdown menu in the editor.
4. Use Descriptive Link Text
Link text should be descriptive and provide context for the user. Avoid using generic link text like “click here” or “read more”. Instead, use descriptive link text that accurately describes the content of the linked page.
To add a link in WordPress, highlight the text you want to turn into a link and click on the “Insert/edit link” button in the editor. Then, enter the URL and link text in the appropriate fields.
5. Test Your Website with Screen Readers
Screen readers are software programs that read aloud the content of a website for users who are visually impaired. Testing your website with a screen reader is an important part of web accessibility testing.
There are several screen readers available, including NVDA (NonVisual Desktop Access), JAWS (Job Access With Speech), and VoiceOver (built-in to Mac OS X). To test your website with a screen reader, simply install the screen reader software and navigate to your website.
6. Test Your Website with Keyboard Navigation
Keyboard navigation is an important part of web accessibility for users who are unable to use a mouse. Testing your website with keyboard navigation is an important part of web accessibility testing.
To test your website with keyboard navigation, simply navigate to your website using only the keyboard. Make sure that all links and buttons are accessible using the keyboard.
7. Test Your Website with Color Contrast Checkers
Color contrast is an important part of web accessibility for users who are visually impaired. Testing your website with a color contrast checker is an important part of web accessibility testing.
There are several color contrast checkers available, including WebAIM’s Color Contrast Checker and Contrast Checker by Toptal. To test your website with a color contrast checker, simply enter the URL of your website and the checker will analyze the color contrast of your website.
Conclusion
Web accessibility is an important part of web design and development. Ensuring that your WordPress website is accessible to all users is not only the right thing to do, it’s also good for business. By following these DIY accessibility testing tips, you can ensure that your WordPress website is accessible to all users.
