The web was designed to be universal, but modern design trends often leave disabled users behind. Making your personal website accessible isn't just about compliance; it's about basic empathy.
Designing for humans
Accessibility (often abbreviated as a11y) means ensuring that people with visual, motor, auditory, or cognitive disabilities can navigate and understand your website.
The foundation: Semantic HTML
The easiest way to make a site accessible is to use HTML the way it was intended. A button should be a <button>, a link should be an <a>, and your headings should follow a logical order (H1, then H2, etc.). Screen readers rely on this structure.
High-impact accessibility fixes
- Meaningful alt text: Always describe images in the alt attribute so visually impaired users know what is on the screen.
- Keyboard navigation: Ensure every interactive element on your site can be reached and used with just the Tab and Enter keys.
- Color contrast: Grey text on a slightly lighter grey background is impossible for many to read. Ensure high contrast between text and background.
- Respect user preferences: Use CSS media queries like prefers-reduced-motion to disable animations for users who get motion sickness.
The inclusive web
An accessible website is simply a better website. The improvements you make for disabled users almost always create a clearer, faster, and more robust experience for everyone else.