As we embark on new web projects, it’s crucial to prioritize accessibility from the beginning.
Here are five key steps to ensure your project is inclusive and accessible to all:
1. Inclusive Design From the Get-Go
- Design with flexibility in mind, alternative ways to achieve the same results, ex.: checkout with both keyboard and mouse
- Involve people with disabilities in design research if possible!
- Utilize tools like color contrast checkers and screen reader simulators
2. Leverage Automated Accessibility
- Implement tools like axe-core or eslint-plugin-jsx-a11y in your pipeline
- Use reusable components that have required attributes such as “role” or “aria-label”
3. Implement Regression Testing and Change Monitoring
- Incorporate accessibility checks into your QA process. Using screen readers is a must!
- Use tools like WAVE or aXe for automated testing
4. Educate Key Stakeholders
- Provide accessibility training for PMs, QA, developers, and designers
- Foster a culture where accessibility is everyone’s responsibility
- Help them to stay updated with changing technologies and standards
5. Integrate Accessibility into the Development Lifecycle
- Make accessibility a criteria in your User Stories or Tasks
- Include accessibility reviews in code reviews and design critiques
Pro Tip: Utilize a common component and design library (like Storybook or Polipo) to ensure consistent accessibility across your project. This approach improves development and code maintenance and helps maintain accessibility standards throughout your application.
By following these steps, we can create web experiences that are both compliant and truly inclusive. Let’s build a web that works for everyone!
At Kloosive, we believe that accessibility should be woven into the fabric of every web project from the very start. Our automated accessibility solutions empower businesses to ensure that their digital platforms are inclusive for all users, including those with disabilities.
To see how accessible your website currently is, try the Kloosive Accessibility Checker and get your accessibility score today!