STEP ONE

Check your site for the following features first. These are easy to implement during the design process, and will cover most users’ needs.

For Hard of Hearing Users:

• Closed Captions or subtitles on all video content.

• Transcripts available for any audio content (i.e. podcasts).

For Users with Impaired Vision:

• High contrast between text and backgrounds. Body text needs a 4.5:1 contrast ratio. Headings need 3:1. Use a contrast calculator like the one at Contrast Checker to check your colors.

• Large enough text sizes and spacing for your typical user. Check line length as well.

• “Alt” tags on any interactive or informative images. This is for users who require screen readers. Remove “alt” tags from decorative images.

• Audio descriptions for any video content which relies on visuals.

• No communicative coloring that depends on perfect color vision to see. Include alternate affordance signals, or adjust colors for colorblind users.

For Users With Motor Impairments:

• Large buttons and clickable areas. User precision should not be necessary.

• Intuitive tabbing order for interactive page elements. It should also be clear where the focus is.

For Users with Mental or Environmental Impairments:

• Enough time to complete tasks on your site without data loss. If automatic session timeout is needed, give users enough time to complete tasks even with interruptions or cognitive impairments.

• Contextual info from headers and breadcrumbs. Users with memory issues may lose their place.

• Browser and system compatibility. The hardware or software someone uses may not be their choice. Your site’s design may be imperfect, but its usability must not be impaired.

STEP TWO

Someone in-house can be trained as a resident accessibility expert to conduct this audit. As usability and accessibility standards change, they will need to refresh their knowledge.

• Most usability tools are based on the W3Consortium’s WCAG, which you can find in its entirety.

• Google has a course on Web Accessibility

• Have your expert learn how screen readers work so they can test for inconsistencies or errors in your code. The following screen readers are available for download:

Fangs (Firefox extension)
JAWS (Windows)
VoiceOver (Mac)
NVDA (Windows)
Google TalkBack (Android)

If no one is available in-house, you need help immediately, or if your site needs someone with more expertise, hire an accessibility expert. Companies like Interactive Accessibility and Accessible Web offer the services of general web accessibility experts, while disability-specific organizations like the American Foundation for the Blind have more specialized experts.

STEP THREE

An accessibility auditor will provide a list of standards not being met and recommendations for meeting them.

STEP FOUR

Once those accessibility issues are addressed, conduct usability testing with disabled users.