An Alphabet of Accessibility Issues
A is for alternative text – essential for users who rely on screen readers to interpret images. Alternative text (alt text) provides a textual description of images, enabling visually impaired users to understand content that would otherwise be inaccessible. Proper alt text should be concise yet descriptive, conveying the purpose and context of the image rather than just its appearance.
B is for button design – ensuring buttons are large enough to click and properly labeled for assistive technologies. Buttons should have sufficient contrast against their background, be large enough to accommodate users with motor impairments, and include clear, action-oriented labels such as “Submit” instead of vague phrases like “Click here.”
C is for color contrast – critical for users with visual impairments, making text and elements easily readable. Ensuring sufficient contrast between text and background colors helps users with low vision or color blindness navigate and read content effectively. The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) recommend a minimum contrast ratio of 4.5:1 for standard text and 3:1 for large text.
D is for dyslexia-friendly fonts – using fonts like OpenDyslexic or ensuring proper spacing for easier readability. Many dyslexic users find sans-serif fonts, adequate letter spacing, and increased line height beneficial. Avoiding justified text also prevents the visual distortion that can make reading difficult for individuals with dyslexia.
E is for epilepsy awareness – avoiding flashing elements that could trigger seizures. Websites should avoid rapidly flashing content, particularly at frequencies between 3 to 55 Hz, as these can induce seizures in individuals with photosensitive epilepsy. Alternative visual cues should be used to grab attention without causing harm.
F is for form accessibility – providing clear labels, error messages, and keyboard-friendly navigation. Forms should have properly associated labels, helpful placeholder text, and error messages that provide guidance on how to correct mistakes. Keyboard-only users should be able to navigate through forms without needing a mouse.
G is for gesture alternatives – ensuring websites work without requiring complex touch gestures that some users may struggle with. Websites should be navigable using simple taps and swipes rather than requiring pinches, multi-finger swipes, or long presses, which may be difficult for users with motor disabilities.
H is for headings and hierarchy – using structured, semantic headings to improve navigation and readability. Well-structured headings (H1, H2, H3, etc.) help users with screen readers understand content organization and navigate efficiently. Proper heading levels should be maintained rather than skipping directly from an H1 to an H4.
I is for interactive elements – ensuring all interactive components are accessible via keyboard and assistive technology. Dropdown menus, sliders, modals, and other interactive elements should be fully navigable without requiring a mouse. ARIA roles can be used to provide additional accessibility information when necessary.
J is for justified text avoidance – left-aligned text is easier to read for users with cognitive disabilities. Justified text can create uneven spacing between words, making it harder to follow along, especially for users with dyslexia or vision impairments. Left-aligned text ensures better readability and a smoother reading experience.
K is for keyboard navigation – ensuring all site features can be accessed without a mouse. Many users rely on keyboard shortcuts, tab navigation, and screen readers to interact with websites. Ensuring that all features are accessible using the Tab, Enter, and Arrow keys enhances usability for those with mobility impairments.
L is for language clarity – using simple, clear language to improve comprehension for non-native speakers and users with cognitive impairments. Avoiding jargon, using active voice, and breaking complex concepts into digestible pieces improves comprehension and ensures content is accessible to a wider audience.
M is for mobile accessibility – designing for touch screens, screen readers, and voice commands. Websites should be responsive, ensuring touch targets are large enough for users with motor impairments, and compatible with mobile screen readers and voice assistants.
N is for non-text content descriptions – adding meaningful descriptions to images, audio, and video content. Captions, transcripts, and alt text ensure that users who are deaf, blind, or have other disabilities can still engage with multimedia content effectively.
O is for orientation flexibility – supporting both portrait and landscape modes for different device use cases. Some users, particularly those with mobility impairments, may lock their screens in one orientation, so websites should function seamlessly regardless of screen rotation.
P is for predictable navigation – keeping menus, buttons, and interactions consistent across the site. Users with cognitive disabilities or memory impairments benefit from predictable layouts where navigation remains in the same place on every page.
Q is for quick loading times – optimizing performance for users with slower connections or limited bandwidth. Accessibility also means considering users with limited data plans or those in rural areas with slow internet speeds by reducing large file sizes and optimizing website performance.
R is for responsive design – ensuring accessibility across different screen sizes and resolutions. A truly accessible site should adjust seamlessly between desktops, tablets, and mobile phones while maintaining usability and readability.
S is for subtitles and transcripts – making video and audio content accessible to users who are deaf or hard of hearing. Providing captions for videos and full transcripts for audio content ensures inclusivity and improves comprehension for all users.
T is for text resizability – allowing users to increase font size without breaking the site layout. Users with low vision often need to enlarge text. Websites should support text scaling up to 200% without causing layout issues.
U is for understandable error messages – providing clear guidance when users make mistakes on forms or inputs. Instead of vague messages like “Error!”, provide specific feedback such as “Invalid email format. Please enter a valid email address.”
V is for voice command support – optimizing for voice assistants and dictation tools. Ensuring that web content is easily discoverable and operable via voice commands benefits users with mobility impairments and those who rely on hands-free navigation.
W is for WCAG compliance – following Web Content Accessibility Guidelines to meet industry standards. WCAG provides internationally recognized best practices for making digital content accessible to people with disabilities.
X is for X-factor inclusivity – considering diverse needs, including temporary disabilities and aging users. Accessibility isn’t just about permanent disabilities—it also benefits users recovering from injuries, dealing with temporary impairments, or experiencing age-related limitations.
Y is for your audience’s needs – continuously testing and adapting to improve accessibility for all users. Regular usability testing, feedback from disabled users, and iterative improvements ensure an inclusive digital experience.
Z is for zero barriers – striving for a web that is usable by everyone, regardless of ability. A truly accessible website removes barriers and empowers all users to engage with content, products, and services effectively.
Why Accessibility Matters
Web accessibility isn’t just a legal requirement—it’s a moral and business imperative. A more inclusive internet benefits everyone, from users with permanent disabilities to those experiencing temporary limitations. By prioritizing accessibility today, we create a better digital experience for all, improving usability and expanding the potential audience for digital content and services.
Take Action Now
Ensure your website meets accessibility standards by conducting audits, using proper semantic HTML, optimizing for assistive technologies, and designing with inclusivity in mind. Accessibility is not a one-time task but an ongoing commitment. The future of the web is for everyone—let’s make it accessible together.
