Website Accessibility Checklist (WCAG)

Section 1: Perceivable – Information and User Interface Components Must Be Presentable to Users in Ways They Can Perceive

This principle focuses on making sure that users can perceive the information presented on your website, regardless of any sensory limitations. It covers aspects like text alternatives for non-text content, captions for audio/video, and sufficient contrast.

• Text Alternatives: All non-text content (images, icons, graphs, CAPTCHAs) has text alternatives (alt text) that serve the equivalent purpose.
• Time-Based Media: Provide alternatives for time-based media, such as captions for pre-recorded audio content and audio descriptions for pre-recorded video content.
• Adaptable Content: Information and structure can be separated from presentation, allowing content to be presented in different ways without losing meaning (e.g., resized text, screen readers).
• Distinguishable Content: Ensure foreground and background colours have sufficient contrast (minimum ratio of 4.5:1 for normal text, 3:1 for large text and graphical objects).
• Colour is Not the Only Visual Means: Information conveyed by colour is also available through another visual means (e.g., text labels, patterns).
• Audio Control: If audio plays automatically for more than three seconds, provide a mechanism to pause or stop it, or control its volume independently of the system volume.

Section 2: Operable – User Interface Components and Navigation Must Be Operable

This principle ensures that users can operate the interface successfully. It means all interactive elements must be usable by various input methods, not just a mouse, and that users have enough time to interact with your content.

• Keyboard Accessibility: All functionality available by mouse is also controllable via keyboard without requiring specific timings for individual keystrokes.
• No Keyboard Traps: Users can easily move focus away from any component using only the keyboard.
• Enough Time: Provide users with enough time to read and use the content. This includes options to adjust, extend, or turn off time limits.
• No Flashing Content: Web pages do not contain anything that flashes more than three times in any one-second period, to prevent seizures.
• Navigable: Provide clear and consistent navigation mechanisms, including headings, labels, and focus order.
• Bypass Blocks: Provide a mechanism to bypass blocks of content that are repeated on multiple web pages (e.g., 'Skip to main content' link).
• Link Purpose: The purpose of each link can be determined from the link text alone or from the link text together with its programmatically determined link context.
• Multiple Ways: Provide multiple ways to locate web pages within a set of web pages (e.g., sitemap, search, table of contents).
• Consistent Navigation: Navigation mechanisms are consistent across the website.
• Input Assistance: For forms, provide clear labels, instructions, error identification, and suggestions for error correction.

Section 3: Understandable – Information and the Operation of User Interface Must Be Understandable

This principle focuses on making your content and interface easy to understand for all users. This includes clear language, predictable functionality, and input assistance.

• Readable: The human language of each passage or phrase in the content can be programmatically determined.
• Predictable: Navigation and interactive components behave in predictable ways.
• Input Assistance: Labels or instructions are provided when content requires user input.
• Language of Page: The default human language of the web page can be programmatically determined.
• Language of Parts: The human language of each passage or phrase in the content can be programmatically determined when it's different from the default page language.
• Consistent Identification: Components with the same functionality within a set of web pages are identified consistently.
• Error Identification: When an input error is automatically detected, the item that is in error is identified and the error is described to the user in text.
• Error Suggestion: If an input error is automatically detected and suggestions for correction are known, then the suggestions are provided to the user.

Section 4: Robust – Content Must Be Robust Enough that It Can Be Interpreted Reliably by a Wide Variety of User Agents, Including Assistive Technologies

This principle focuses on making your content compatible with current and future user agents, including assistive technologies. It relates to the underlying code and its adherence to standards.

• Parsing: In content implemented using markup languages, elements have complete start and end tags, elements are nested according to their specifications, elements do not contain duplicate attributes, and any IDs are unique.
• Name, Role, Value: All user interface components (including form elements, links, and components generated by scripts) have a programmatically determinable name and role. State, properties, and values that can be set by the user can be programmatically set.

Section 5: Practical Implementation Steps for Australian Small Businesses

Achieving WCAG compliance doesn't have to be overwhelming. Here's a practical approach for Australian small business owners.

1. Conduct an Initial Accessibility Audit: Use automated tools (like Lighthouse in Chrome Developer Tools) for a quick overview, but remember they only catch about 30-40% of issues. Manual testing across various devices and assistive technologies is crucial.
2. Prioritise WCAG 2.1 AA Compliance: As mentioned by Hedgehog Marketing, this is the generally accepted target for most Australian businesses.
3. Educate Your Team: Ensure anyone creating or updating website content (bloggers, content managers) understands basic accessibility principles, especially regarding alt text and headings.
4. Review Your Content: Regularly check your images for alt text, videos for captions, and ensure your copy is clear and concise.
5. Test with Real Users: Whenever possible, involve people with disabilities in your testing process. Their feedback is invaluable.
6. Choose an Accessible Platform/Developer: If you're building a new website, ensure your chosen platform or web designer in Melbourne (or any location) is committed to accessibility standards from the outset. Discuss accessibility during the planning phase, similar to the comprehensive approach for any new website build detailed in this web design checklist.
7. Include an Accessibility Statement: Publish a visible accessibility statement on your website outlining your commitment, the standards you adhere to, and how users can report accessibility issues.
8. Regular Maintenance: Accessibility is an ongoing process, not a one-time fix. New content, plugins, or design changes can introduce new barriers. Integrate accessibility checks into your routine website maintenance.

Section 6: Common Accessibility Misconceptions

• "Accessibility is only for blind people": While vital for visually impaired users, accessibility helps a broad spectrum of people, including those with cognitive disabilities, auditory impairments, motor disabilities, and even those with situational disabilities (e.g., using a mobile phone in bright sunlight).
• "An automated checker does everything": Automated tools are a great starting point but miss many complex or subjective issues such as the meaningfulness of alt text or logical focus order.
• "It's too expensive and time-consuming": Baking accessibility in from the start of a design project can be more efficient and cost-effective than retrofitting a non-compliant website. Waiting can lead to legal risks and missed opportunities.
• "My business is too small to worry about it": All Australian businesses, regardless of size, are subject to the Disability Discrimination Act 1992. Plus, an accessible website broadens your customer base.

Section 7: Benefits of an Accessible Website

Beyond compliance, an accessible website offers significant advantages for your small business:

• Expanded Market Reach: Access a larger number of customers, including the significant portion of the population with disabilities and elderly users.
• Improved SEO: Many accessibility best practices (e.g., clear headings, alt text, semantic HTML) are also strong SEO practices, potentially improving your search engine rankings.
• Enhanced User Experience: A site designed with accessibility in mind is often easier and more pleasant for everyone to use, regardless of ability.
• Stronger Brand Reputation: Demonstrates your commitment to inclusivity and social responsibility.
• Reduced Legal Risk: Mitigates the risk of legal challenges under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992.

Section 8: Your Next Steps

Taking action on website accessibility is crucial. We encourage you to use this checklist as a starting point. If you find the task daunting, remember that expert assistance is available.

As Dream Websites suggests, consider seeking professional help.

Custom Web Creations offers expert web design services to help Australian small businesses create accessible, high-performing websites. Contact us today for a consultation tailored to your specific needs.