Creating an inclusive website isn’t just about ticking boxes—it’s about fostering connections, enhancing usability, and ensuring your content is available to everyone. By making accessibility a cornerstone of your web design, you’re not only complying with Canadian laws like the AODA but also building trust and engagement with a broader audience. At TDG Marketing, we believe in crafting websites that don’t just look great—they work for everyone.
Here’s how you can elevate your website’s accessibility while keeping inclusivity at the forefront:
Videos and audio content add richness to your site, but not everyone experiences them the same way. Captions and transcripts bridge the gap for users who are deaf or hard of hearing. Accurate and synchronized captions ensure no one misses a beat, while transcripts provide an accessible text alternative for audio content.
Canada aligns with the internationally recognized Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0/2.1. These standards cover accessibility for individuals with visual, auditory, motor, and cognitive disabilities. For example, WCAG Level AA compliance ensures:
✅ Content is perceivable by assistive technologies.
✅ Navigation is operable using a keyboard.
✅ Text and visuals are understandable for diverse audiences.
If your website isn’t meeting these standards, it’s time for an upgrade. TDG Marketing is here to guide you in aligning with these legal requirements while creating a seamless user experience.
Imagine trying to read light grey text on a white background—it’s a struggle for everyone, but especially for users with visual impairments. Proper colour contrast and legible fonts are game-changers. Bright sunlight? Low-resolution screens? A well-contrasted design ensures your message shines through in every condition.
Descriptive alt text isn’t just for search engine optimization—it’s essential for users who rely on screen readers. A good alt text doesn’t just describe an image; it conveys its purpose. Think of it as storytelling for visuals, ensuring everyone gets the same experience, even without seeing the image.
Not all users rely on a mouse to explore your website. By enabling keyboard navigation, you open doors for individuals with motor disabilities or those who prefer alternative navigation methods. Take a test drive: Try navigating your site using only the keyboard. Can you move through all interactive elements seamlessly?
Forms are a common stumbling block for accessibility. Clear labels, logical grouping of fields, and user-friendly error messages make all the difference. Imagine how frustrating it is to encounter vague errors like, “Invalid input.” Instead, try: “Your email address must include @.” A small change, but a big impact!
Building an accessible website isn’t a one-and-done project. Regular testing with tools like Google Lighthouse can help you identify gaps and improve your site’s inclusivity over time. It’s important that we continuously refine our processes to ensure the websites we create remain accessible and innovative, year after year.
Creating an accessible website is more than compliance; it’s about showing that you care about all your visitors. When you invest in accessibility, you’re investing in relationships. At TDG Marketing, we understand that inclusivity is the key to long-term success. Let us help you design a website that’s not only stunning but also inclusive for all.
Ready to make your website more accessible? Let’s connect and create a site that welcomes everyone.