Exploring Accessibility with WAVE
To ensure my WordPress site is accessible to all users, I ran a WAVE accessibility check. This tool provided insight into any potential barriers that might hinder individuals, especially those with disabilities, from fully engaging with my content.
Here’s a summary of my findings from the WAVE report:
- Alt Text: I discovered that a few images were missing alternative text, which is crucial for users who rely on screen readers. Adding descriptive alt text will make these visuals accessible for users with visual impairments.
- Contrast Errors: The tool flagged some text contrast issues, particularly with buttons and links that had low contrast against their background. Improving these contrasts will make my content easier to read, especially for users with color blindness or low vision.
- Aria Labels and Structural Elements: WAVE also highlighted the use of ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) labels to better structure my content for screen readers.
Addressing these accessibility issues will help make my site more inclusive, ensuring that more users can interact with and enjoy the content.
Trying Out Text-to-Speech Tools
Next, I experimented with a Text-to-Speech (TTS) tool to understand how well my content translates to audio. I used [insert chosen TTS tool, e.g., “NaturalReader”], which allowed me to hear my blog posts in a natural-sounding voice. Listening to my content from this perspective revealed a few areas for improvement, including:
- Simplifying Complex Sentences: Some sentences felt cumbersome when read aloud, so I adjusted these to improve flow and clarity.
- Consistent Use of Headings: Proper heading structure also became crucial, as it helps listeners follow along more easily. This experience reinforced the value of concise and well-structured writing for accessibility.
Infographic Creation in Canva
As part of this module, I created an infographic in Canva on “5 Tips for Making Content Accessible”. In designing the infographic, I applied the principles of effective multimedia design, focusing on:
- Simplicity: I limited each point to a single, clear sentence, paired with icons that visually represent each concept. This makes the infographic accessible for viewers who need straightforward information quickly.
- Color Contrast: Following the design principles in this module, I chose high-contrast colors to make the text and icons stand out, which is essential for readability.
- Font Choice and Size: To enhance readability, I used a Mardoto font and maintained a consistent size across the infographic.
Creating the infographic was a great exercise in thinking about how design choices impact both aesthetics and usability. This process helped me prioritize readability and accessibility alongside visual appeal.
Reflection on Accessibility and Design
This module highlighted the importance of making digital content accessible and visually engaging. Through the WAVE check, I became more aware of how seemingly minor details—like contrast and alt text—can impact usability for people with disabilities. My experiments with TTS and Canva also reinforced the value of designing with inclusivity in mind. Accessibility isn’t just about compliance; it’s about creating a welcoming space where everyone can engage with and enjoy the content.
Moving forward, I’m excited to implement these accessibility and design principles consistently in my work and continue exploring tools that enhance the accessibility of my site.
Hi Jinwon,
Great post! I really like how you highlighted the importance of considering accessibility from the start of the design process. Your ideas about integrating tools like screen readers and color contrast checkers should be very helpful for everyone to engage with the content. Well done on providing practical tips that can be applied to future projects!
Hi Jinwon, I appreciate your detailed overview of the accessibility issues shown from your WAVE report and from your use of the Natural Reader text-to-speech tool. I also found similar barriers such as the missing alt text and low contrast in my blog posts. I like how you addressed the issues by ensuring proper heading structure and simplifying complex sentences to make the content more accessible for auditory users. Your infographic also demonstrates a good balance between design and usability, highlighting important principles like simplicity, color contrast, and font choice. Great work!
Hello Jinwon! I really enjoyed the look and feel of your infographic. Your work resonates with me as I followed a similar structure as you in terms of keeping it simple, limiting excessive font sizes, and correlating icons to enhance the meaning of each point made. Additionally, your choice of colours also does a good job at distinguishing each tip, making them easier to identify. I also think the way you emphasis a hierarchy of information through the use of numbers makes it much easier to read. In my own blog I talked about guiding the reader rather than forcing them, and experiencing your infographic put that in to practice and enlightened me to the true extent of the subsequent benefits. I also wanted to touch on one of your final thoughts where you define accessibility as not compliance but a welcoming space. I totally agree with you on that and I think that if more people focused on inclusive design, there would be more people becoming incentivized to learn as their perspectives would feel welcomed rather than neglected. Great post Jinwon I really enjoyed reading it!