Ensure that your website isn't excluding those with disabilities. Learn how to make your website user-friendly and accessible, following best practices for all users.

Are you a web developer or entrepreneur who would like to make their website accessible for users, including those with disabilities? Accessibility is an important issue in today's society, and making websites accessible can allow people with disabilities better access to online resources.

Having a website with enhanced accessibility can help ensure that people with disabilities are able to access the same information being provided by the site as any other visitor. While choosing appropriate technology and coding practices is essential, it’s just as important to ensure the user interface and design of your website meets accessibility requirements

1. Use semantic HTML: Use the correct HTML tags to structure your content, such as using <h1> for headings, <p> for paragraphs, and <ul> for lists. This will help screen readers and other assistive technologies understand the structure of your content.

2. Add alt text to images: Use the alt attribute to provide a text description of each image on your website. This will allow users who are blind or have low vision to understand what the image is showing.

3. Use headings and lists: Use headings (<h1>, <h2>, etc.) and lists (<ul>, <ol>, etc.) to organize your content in a logical and easy-to-understand way. This will make your website easier to navigate for users who rely on screen readers.

4. Use descriptive link text: Avoid using vague or misleading link text such as "click here" or "read more." Instead, use descriptive text that clearly explains what the link is for.

5. Test your website: Use tools like the WAVE Web Accessibility Evaluation Tool or a screen reader to test your website and identify any accessibility issues. Fix any issues that you find, and consider hiring a professional to conduct a thorough accessibility review.

6. Follow web accessibility guidelines: There are several guidelines and standards that can help you create an accessible website, such as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1. Familiarize yourself with these guidelines and strive to meet them when designing and developing your website.

7. Use proper color contrast: Make sure that the text and background colors you use have sufficient contrast to make the text easy to read. You can use a tool like the WebAIM Color Contrast Checker to check the color contrast of your website.

8. Provide transcriptions or captions for audio and video content: If you have audio or video content on your website, make sure to provide transcriptions or captions so that users who are deaf or hard of hearing can access the content.

9. Make sure your website is keyboard-accessible: Test your website to ensure that users can navigate and interact with it using only the keyboard. This is especially important for users with mobility impairments who may not be able to use a mouse.

10. Use descriptive page titles and descriptive link text: Make sure that your page titles and link text clearly describe the content of the page or link. This will help users with cognitive impairments or those who rely on screen readers to understand the purpose of each page or link.

11. Provide alternatives for non-text content: If you have non-text content on your website, such as images or videos, make sure to provide alternative text or a transcript that describes the content. This will allow users who are blind or have low vision to access the content.

12. Use descriptive labels for form fields: Make sure to use descriptive labels for form fields, such as "Name," "Email," or "Phone number," rather than just using placeholder text. This will help users who rely on screen readers to understand the purpose of each field.

13. Allow users to skip repeated content: If your website has repeated content, such as a navigation menu or a footer, make sure to allow users to skip over it using a "skip to main content" link. This will make it easier for users to navigate your website.

14. Use clear and descriptive error messages: If there are errors in a form submission or other user input, make sure to use clear and descriptive error messages to inform the user of the problem and how to fix it.

15. Use ARIA landmarks: The Accessible Rich Internet Applications (ARIA) specification includes a set of roles (called landmarks) that can be added to HTML elements to help screen readers and other assistive technologies understand the purpose of each element on the page. Consider using ARIA landmarks to help users navigate your website.

17. Use descriptive alt text for icons: If you use icons on your website, make sure to provide a text description of each icon using the alt attribute. This will allow users who are blind or have low vision to understand the purpose of the icon.

18. Use proper HTML heading structure: Use the <h1>, <h2>, etc. tags to create a logical and hierarchical structure for your headings. This will make it easier for users who rely on screen readers to understand the structure of your content.

19. Use descriptive titles for links: Make sure to use descriptive titles for links, rather than just using the URL or a generic title like "click here." This will help users with cognitive impairments or those who rely on screen readers to understand the purpose of the link.

20. Avoid using tables for layout: Tables should be used for tabular data, not for layout. Using tables for layout can make it difficult for users who rely on screen readers to understand the structure of the page. Instead, use CSS for layout purposes.

By following these guidelines, you can help ensure that your website is accessible to users with a wide range of disabilities and assistive technologies.