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How to Build Websites that Accommodate the Disabled – accessiBe WordPress

Almost one-fifth of the world’s population experiences some form of disability, which means that if you’re not designing your websites with them in mind, you’re missing out on a large chunk of potential customers. In this blog post, we’ll discuss some tips for building sites accessible to everyone, regardless of their abilities, by using tools such as accessiBe WordPress. We’ll also talk about the benefits of web accessibility and how it can help your business reach a wider audience. Let’s get started.

What is web accessibility, and why is it important?

Web accessibility refers to making websites that people with disabilities can use. This includes people who are blind or have low vision, those who are deaf or hard of hearing, and those with physical impairments that prevent them from using a keyboard or mouse. By making your website accessible, you’re opening up your business to a whole new group of potential customers.

There are several reasons why you should care about web accessibility. For one, it’s the right thing to do. Everyone deserves to be able to use the internet, regardless of their abilities. Additionally, accessible websites tend to be more user-friendly for everyone, not just those with disabilities. This is because accessible websites are well-organized and easy to navigate, making them simpler and more efficient to use. Finally, designing for accessibility can help you reach a wider audience. Studies have shown that by making your website accessible, you’re opening up your business to a whole new group of potential customers.

So how can you make your websites accessible to everyone? The first step is to ensure that your site is well-designed and easy to navigate. This means using clear and concise text, simple navigation, and a consistent layout throughout your site. Additionally, you’ll want to use images and videos that are appropriate for all users and provide transcripts or captions for any audio or video content.

You’ll also want to make sure that your website is built using web standards. This includes using proper code, semantic markup, and well-structured content. By following web standards, you ensure that various browsers and devices can access your site. Finally, you’ll want to test your site to ensure that it is accessible to all users. There are a number of tools available that can help you do this, including the WAVE Web Accessibility Evaluation Tool and the WebAIM Screen Reader Simulator.

Once you’ve made sure that your website is accessible, you’ll want to think about how you can go above and beyond to accommodate all users. This might include adding alternative text for images, providing sign language interpreters for audio content, or offering customer support that is responsive to the needs of disabled users. By making an effort to accommodate all users, you’re showing that you care about their experience on your site.

So what are the benefits of designing for accessibility? As we’ve discussed, several benefits to making your website accessible. It is the right thing to do, but it can also help you reach a wider audience and improve the overall user experience of your site. If you’re not sure where to start, many resources are available to help you get started. The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) is a great place to start, as it provides detailed guidelines for making your website accessible.

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