Digital accessibility: How to create inclusive, high-performance content?

Understanding Digital Accessibility

Digital accessibility is the ability of a website, application or document to be used by all Internet users, whatever their specific needs or physical, sensory, cognitive or motor limitations.

This is a major challenge for companies, who must guarantee the inclusion of all their customers and comply with current legal standards.

Digital accessibility offers numerous benefits for both users and content creators. It makes information more accessible, readable, comprehensible and interactive.

It also promotes natural referencing, customer loyalty, reduced maintenance costs and improved brand image.

Digital accessibility is framed by laws and regulations, which require companies to comply with quality and performance criteria. In France, the Law for a Digital Republic of October 7, 2016 obliges public services and private players to make their websites accessible to people with disabilities.

According to a report published in 2022 by the Valentin Haüy association, only 40% of French public websites are accessible to people with disabilities. For private websites, the figure is even lower, with only 3% to 4% accessible.

In France, digital accessibility is a legal obligation for public authorities and private companies of all sizes. The Référentiel général d'accessibilité des administrations (RGAA ) defines accessibility criteria for websites, mobile applications and software.

These criteria are based on the international recommendations of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). Digital accessibility compliance is important for several reasons:

• Firstly, it ensures that all users, including people with disabilities, can access and use digital services. This contributes to equal rights and opportunities for all.
• Secondly, digital accessibility can improve a website's Search Engine Optimization (SEO). Indeed, search engines are placing increasing importance on website accessibility. Websites that comply with accessibility criteria are more likely to rank well in search results.
• Finally, digital accessibility can improve the overall user experience of a website. By making a website more accessible, companies can improve customer satisfaction and increase sales.

Companies that fail to comply with digital accessibility requirements are liable to financial penalties. In France, penalties can be as high as 25,000 euros for individuals and 500,000 euros for legal entities.

The needs and challenges of digital accessibility

Digital accessibility is a set of principles and techniques designed to make digital technologies accessible to everyone, including people with disabilities.

It aims to ensure that all users, whatever their specific needs, can access, use and understand digital information and services.

The different categories of people with accessibility needs

Digital accessibility needs can vary, depending on the type of disability.

The main categories of people with accessibility needs are as follows:

• Visually impaired or blind people: they may need features such as Braille text, text-to-speech, or images and videos with alternative descriptions.
• Deaf or hard-of-hearing people: they may need features such as subtitles, text transcription, or videos with audio descriptions.
• People with motor impairments: they may need features such as adapted keyboard or mouse interfaces, or voice commands.
• People with cognitive impairments: they may need features such as clear, concise text, or simple layouts.

Digital accessibility is an important issue for equal rights and opportunities for all users. Websites and digital applications that are not accessible can exclude many users, depriving them of access to the information and services they need.

The challenges facing disabled users

Accessibility standards

Accessibility standards define the criteria for making websites and digital applications accessible. These standards are defined by reference frameworks such as the RGAA (référentiel général d'accessibilité pour les Administrations), which we saw earlier, and the W3C (World Wide Web Consortium) standards.

What are the challenges ahead?

Despite the progress made, many challenges remain in the field of digital accessibility.

• Some websites are not yet accessible and do not take sufficient account of the specific needs of people with disabilities.
• Some assistive technologies do not work correctly on all browsers or with all types of content.
• The accessibility of communication services, such as telephone services, instant messaging, videoconferencing, etc., remains a major challenge.

Best Practices for Sites Accessible to All

Content structure and organization

To make your website accessible to everyone, it's essential to take care with the structure and organization of your content. Let's talk a little "technical". Good hierarchy and appropriate HTML semantics enable screen readers, search engines and users to navigate your site easily and efficiently.

Prioritize your content

La hiérarchie du contenu est définie par l’utilisation des balises HTML. Les balises principales, telles que <h1>, <h2>, <h3>, etc., permettent de structurer le contenu en niveaux. Cette hiérarchie permet aux technologies d’assistance, telles que les lecteurs d’écran, de comprendre la structure du site et de naviguer plus facilement.

The importance of semantics

La sémantique du contenu fait référence à la signification des balises HTML. Il est important d’utiliser les balises HTML appropriées pour chaque type de contenu. Par exemple, la balise <p> doit être utilisée pour les paragraphes de texte, la balise <img> pour les images, etc.

Our advanced tips

Here are some advanced tips for improving HTML hierarchy and semantics for optimal accessibility:

• Utiliser les balises <header>, <footer> et <main> :

Les balises <header> et <footer> sont utilisées pour définir les en-têtes et les pieds de page du site.

La balise <main> est utilisée pour définir la section principale du contenu. Ces balises permettent aux technologies d’assistance de comprendre la structure globale du site.

• Utiliser les balises <nav> et <aside> :

Les balises <nav> et <aside> sont utilisées pour définir les sections de navigation et de contenu secondaire. Ces balises permettent aux utilisateurs de se repérer facilement sur le site.

• Utiliser les balises <label> et <input> :

Les balises <label> et <input> sont utilisées pour les formulaires. La balise <label> est utilisée pour fournir une description du champ de formulaire. La balise <input> est utilisée pour définir le type de champ de formulaire. Ces balises permettent aux utilisateurs de comprendre la fonction des champs de formulaire.

• Utiliser les balises <abbr> et <acronym> :

Les balises <abbr> et <acronym> sont utilisées pour les acronymes et les abréviations. La balise <abbr> doit être utilisée si l’acronyme ou l’abréviation est défini ailleurs sur le site.

La balise <acronym> doit être utilisée si l’acronyme ou l’abréviation n’est pas défini ailleurs sur le site. Ces balises permettent aux technologies d’assistance de lire correctement les acronymes et les abréviations.

Follow these tips to improve the structure and organization of your website's content and make it more accessible to everyone.

Media and multimedia content

Media and multimedia content, such as videos, images, animations and sounds, are increasingly used on websites. It's important to make this content accessible to everyone, including people with disabilities.

Subtitled videos

Subtitled videos enable deaf or hard-of-hearing people to understand the audio content of videos. To make a video accessible, it is necessary to provide complete subtitles synchronized with the audio.

Detailed instructions

• Subtitles must be complete, i.e. they must include all the audio content of the video, including dialogue, sound effects and music.
• Subtitles must be synchronized with the sound, i.e. they must appear and disappear at the right moment.
• Subtitles must be visible and legible, i.e. of sufficient size and color.

Images with "alt" attributes

Alt attributes are HTML elements used to describe the content of an image or graphic object. They are essential for digital accessibility, as they make it easier for blind or partially-sighted people using screen readers to understand images.

Alt attributes also help to improve website SEO, by providing relevant information to search engines. Alt attributes should be short, clear and precise, avoiding redundancy or unnecessary information.

Detailed instructions

• The alt attribute must provide a complete description of the image, including its content, purpose and context.
• The alt attribute must be clear and concise, i.e. easy to understand.
• The alt attribute must be informative, i.e. it must provide useful information about the image.

Easy navigation

Navigation is an essential element of website accessibility. It enables users to easily find their way around the site and find the information they are looking for.

Strategies for intuitive, accessible navigation

Here are a few strategies for making navigation intuitive and accessible to all:

• Use a clear, logical structure

The website's structure must be clear and logical, so that users can easily understand how it is organized. Links should be clearly identified and navigation elements easy to find.

• Use familiar navigation elements

Navigation elements must be familiar to users, so that they can identify and use them easily. Common navigation elements include menus, navigation bars and links.

• Provide text alternatives

Visual elements, such as images and icons, must have text alternatives.

This enables users who cannot see these elements to understand their meaning.

• Using keyboard shortcuts

Keyboard shortcuts allow users to navigate the website without using the mouse.

The most common keyboard shortcuts are Tab, Alt and Shift.

• Testing navigation with different types of assistance technology

It is important to test navigation with different types of assistive technology, to ensure that it is accessible to all users.

Here are some concrete examples of accessible navigation strategies:

• Use a fixed navigation bar at the top of the page

A fixed navigation bar at the top of the page makes it easy for users to find their way around the site, even if they're navigating towards the bottom of the page.

• Using drop-down menus

Drop-down menus allow users to see a list of options without having to scroll down the page.

• Use clickable links

Clickable links must be clearly identifiable, for example by means of a border or a different color.

• Provide text descriptions for images and icons

Text descriptions for images and icons should be concise and informative.

• Use keyboard shortcuts for common actions

The most common keyboard shortcuts, such as Tab, Alt and Shift, can be used to navigate the website without using the mouse.

Colors and contrasts

In the infinite universe of the web, colors are not simply aesthetic elements, but strategic tools that define the visual experience of every visitor. In this chromatic symphony, accessibility takes shape through enlightened choices of color and contrast, aimed at ensuring maximum visibility for all.

1. High contrast for optimum legibility

Contrasts between text and background are not simply a matter of aesthetic preference, but a necessity for enhanced legibility. Opt for color combinations that create a strong contrast, allowing users to quickly grasp the information presented.

2. Avoid eyestrain

Bright, contrasting colors can provide an attractive aesthetic, but it's essential to avoid any combination that could lead to eyestrain. Subtle hues and well-balanced contrasts ensure a pleasant experience without compromising clarity.

3. Practical recommendations

- Use strong contrasts between text and background to enhance legibility.

- Opt for complementary colors rather than bright combinations that could cause eyestrain.

- Test visibility on different devices for consistent accessibility.

4. Useful tools

- Use online resources like Color Contrast Analyzer to assess the legibility of your color combinations.

- Integrate adjustable contrast options into your interface to meet specific user needs.

By judiciously harmonizing colors and contrasts, your site becomes a visual canvas accessible to all, transcending boundaries to offer a captivating and inclusive experience.

Digital accessibility is a key factor in guaranteeing equal rights and citizenship for people with disabilities. It enables all users, whatever their specific needs, to access, use and understand digital information and services.

To create inclusive, high-performance content, it's important to follow the best practices described in this article. These practices relate to content structure and organization, media and multimedia content, and navigation facilitation.

Digital accessibility is a complex and constantly evolving field. It's important to keep abreast of the latest standards and recommendations.