Web Quality - Usability (WAI)

Only websites that can be used by people with disabilities can be called accessible (accessible).

People with disabilities refer to those with disabilities or physical health issues.

Web Accessibility Initiative - WAI

WAI (initiated by W3C in 1997) is a series of guidelines for web developers, creators, and designers - about how to make content more accessible to people with disabilities.

The goal of these guidelines is accessibility, but they also help make web content usable by more browsers (such as voice browsers, mobile phones, handheld devices), as well as users working in difficult environments (non-handheld, bright light, darkness, low vision, noise, etc.).

Is WAI important for your website?

Yes.

Every day, millions of people with disabilities are surfing the internet, and even more people are using poor browsers or working in difficult environments.

If your website lacks such features as adjustable font sizes, text-described graphics, and convenient navigation, those people will not be able to access your information.

In fact: Your website is depriving these people of their rights.

Other reasons to enhance website usability include:

  • Can improve the reputation and image of the website
  • Can improve customer satisfaction
  • Can increase the number of visitors
  • Can increase the time visitors spend on the site
  • Can increase the number of visitors returning
  • Can also increase accessibility for non-disabled people
  • Can increase accessibility for visitors who have turned off graphic functions
  • Can increase accessibility for people using old-fashioned devices
  • Can provide services to the fastest growing population: the elderly

Use adjustable font sizes

Please use relative font sizes so that users can change the default font size using the browser menu.

Adjustable font

Use the "alt" attribute

The alt attribute allows you to provide a corresponding text for the image (and also for other elements).

Example:

<img src="images/bana.jpg" alt="Banana" />

Sometimes the browser may not be able to display images. Specific reasons include:

  • The user has turned off image display
  • Browser is a mini-browser that does not support graphic display
  • Browser is a voice browser (for the blind and visually impaired)

If you use the alt attribute, the browser can at least display or read out a description of the image.