Here at OTIDE, we pride ourselves on being a leader in accessibility efforts, striving to be a forerunner in making sure our content, courses, events, and web reach all individuals, regardless of disabilities. Everyone should be able to access and interact with our digital content effectively.
How people with disabilities use the web
People with disabilities rely on assistive technology to navigate and access the web, ensuring equal opportunities for digital inclusion. Screen readers convert text into speech, allowing visually impaired individuals to listen to website content. Braille displays offer tactile feedback, enabling those who are blind to read digital text. Voice recognition software empowers individuals with mobility impairments to navigate websites and input text using their voice. Additionally, captioning and transcripts make online content accessible to individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing. These assistive technologies play a crucial role in breaking down barriers and fostering an inclusive online environment for people of all abilities.
Quick Accessibility Tests You Can Make
Check sample pages (homepage, registration, about us, etc.) to assess the following:
- The heading structure is correct.
- Text alternatives for graphics are available and useful.
- Subtitles and audio descriptions for videos are present.
- Information is understandable and usable even without colors (do not change text colors).
- The contrast is sufficient.
- The website can be operated with the keyboard.
- The link’s purpose is understandable regardless of context (avoid generic text such as “click here,” “learn more.”)
Accessibility Tools
Tools to make your work easier!
Browser Extensions
| Product | Resource |
|---|---|
| WAVE (WebAIM) | Google Chrome Microsoft Edge Firefox |
| Siteimprove Accessibility Checker | Chrome Opera Microsoft Edge Firefox |
Document Remediation
| Product | Resource |
|---|---|
| Adobe | Create and Verify PDF Accessibility |
| Microsoft | Office Accessibility Checker |
More Accessibility Resources
Research shows that remediating accessibility later is expensive. Therefore, efforts should be made to build and update web pages with accessibility in mind.
A customizable quick reference to Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2 requirements (success criteria) and techniques.
There isn’t one perfect tool to catch all accessibility errors. So, in addition to Siteimprove, there are other free tools that will help maintain accessibility on your page.