Episode 024: Website accessibility: Making the web better for all

Nikki Vera is a disabled brand and web designer who helps business owners make their websites fair and better. Find out why website accessibility matters for your business and makes the web better for everyone. For instance, you might be surprised to learn that more people are disabled than you realise! You’d also be surprised to know how efforts we put on our websites to help visually impaired people also helps with SEO.

Nikki Vera’s website: https://studionyx.co

Watch this episode on: YouTube.

Listen on: Spotify, Apple Podcasts.

Summary

• Find out how Nikki got started in web design, and how she helps business owners.
• Nikki explains the Curb Cut Effect. Things that benefit disabled people benefit everyone.
• The number of people who are disabled and need assistive devices is not as small as people think.
• Neglecting website accessibility could mean missed sales, or missing out on meeting your best clients or customers.
• Captions in videos help all kinds of people, not just those who are hard of hearing. For example, being able to see what someone’s saying in a mobile video while you’re on public transport.
• Nikki references their blog post about accessibility.
• Poor contrast on web pages makes life difficult for those using screen dimming.
• Using alt text helps to describe images for those who can’t see them well.
• Screen readers use your headings and heading structure to help visually impaired people navigate your page.
• The problem with using “click here” as your link. For instance, this could mean adding unnecessary mental load to someone already having a bad day.
• Not being descriptive with your link text can stop people in their tracks, especially if they are struggling with cognition.
• People aren’t likely to tell you if they can’t use your website, they’ll most likely just leave.
• Nikki explains that if your website isn’t accessible, it may be simple to fix. So this means that you don’t necessarily have to worry about a redesign.
• Progress over perfection. People notice and appreciate that you’re doing your best.

Helpful links about website accessibility

• Studio Nyx – 10 Easy Steps to a More Accessible Website
• Bureau of Internet Accessibility – “Click Here” Isn’t Enough Context for Hyperlinks
• Harvard University – Write helpful Alt Text to describe images