Sponsored by accessiBe
In today’s digital world, a non-profit organization’s website plays a crucial role in engaging with and reaching out to its target audience. It is vital that the website is accessible to all visitors, including those with disabilities, and make the stance that it’s invaluable in today’s world to provide the best experiences for users as possible.
Championing this case are companies like accessiBe who have developed solutions to aid companies in their quest to improve web accessibility. In this article, we will discuss the essential factors to consider before making your non-profit website accessible.
Understanding the Importance of Web Accessibility
Web accessibility refers to the practice of ensuring that websites are designed and developed in such a way that they can be easily used by people with various disabilities. It involves optimizing website content, design, images, multimedia, and other elements so that everyone can effectively access the information and services provided.
Web accessibility is not only a moral obligation but also becoming an evolving standard in many countries, as per the guidelines provided by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). Their Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) serve as an international standard for web accessibility.
By making your non-profit website accessible, you demonstrate a commitment to equal access for all users, regardless of their physical or cognitive abilities. This can help increase the reach of your organization’s message, attract more donors, volunteers, and supporters, and ultimately help further your non-profit’s mission.
Evaluating Your Current Website
The first step toward making your non-profit website accessible is to evaluate your current site to get a clear understanding of existing issues. Some key areas to focus on include:
Navigability:Can visitors navigate your webpages easily using keyboard-only controls, screen readers, or other assistive technologies?
Images and Multimedia: Are your images properly tagged with descriptive alternative text (alt tags)? Do your videos include captions and transcripts for deaf or hard of hearing users?
Legibility: Is the text on your website easy to read, with appropriate font size, color contrast, and line spacing? Can visitors resize the content without affecting usability?
Forms and Interactive Elements: Are your forms accessible and properly labeled? Do you provide clear error messages and guidance to assist users in completing them?
Making a comprehensive list of accessibility requirements can help create an action plan tailored specifically to your non-profit’s needs.
Training and Involvement of Staff and Volunteers
For successful web accessibility implementation, it is essential to involve all members of your organization. This includes providing training and resources to staff and volunteers responsible for creating and maintaining website content. They should be familiar with web accessibility standards (such as WCAG) and understand their role in making the site accessible.
It also helps to designate an accessibility coordinator or team within your organization who is responsible for overseeing web accessibility efforts and coordinating with other teams involved in website design, development, and content creation. This ensures that everyone is aware of and committed to improving accessibility.
Collaborating with Experts
While some aspects of web accessibility can be handled in-house, collaborating with external experts or consultants with experience in this field can provide invaluable support and guidance. They can help identify issues, recommend solutions, and conduct accessibility testing to ensure that your non-profit website meets all relevant guidelines and legal requirements.
User Testing and Feedback
A key aspect of ensuring web accessibility is user testing – involving people with disabilities to evaluate your website and provide feedback from their perspective. This can help identify issues that may not be apparent during automated testing or internal reviews. You can consider engaging in structured usability testing or simply reach out to members of your community who are willing to offer their expertise and insights.
It is also important to have an accessible feedback mechanism on your website that allows users to report any issues they encounter. By openly welcoming and addressing user feedback, you showcase your organization’s commitment to continuous improvement and inclusion.
Regular Monitoring and Updates
Web accessibility is not a one-time task. It requires ongoing monitoring and updates to ensure that your non-profit website remains accessible as new content gets added or design elements change. Regular audits can help identify any areas where accessibility might be compromised, while staying updated with evolving guidelines will ensure conformance with best practices and regulatory requirements.
Maintaining an Accessibility Statement
An accessibility statement is a document available on your website detailing your non-profit’s commitment to web accessibility and the steps taken to ensure that all users can access your site without barriers. This statement should include contact information for users to report any issues they may encounter.
Making your non-profit website accessible is a critical step towards fulfilling your mission of serving people in need. By considering these essential factors and following recommended best practices, you can create an inclusive and user-friendly website that truly makes a difference in the lives of all visitors.