Accessibility is a vital aspect of web design. For credit unions, ensuring all users can access and navigate their websites is not just good practice—it’s a responsibility. Conducting an accessibility audit helps identify barriers that could prevent some users from fully engaging with your site. Here’s a straightforward guide to help you perform an effective audit.
Understanding Accessibility Standards
The first step in an accessibility audit is familiarising yourself with recognized standards. The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) provide a comprehensive framework for creating accessible websites. They cover principles like perceivability, operability, understandability, and robustness.
For credit union websites, WCAG compliance ensures that users with disabilities, such as visual impairments or motor limitations, can easily interact with key features like account logins, transaction tools, and customer support.
Evaluating Visual Design
Accessibility begins with the visual elements of your site. Check if your color schemes provide enough contrast between text and background. Users with color blindness or low vision rely on strong contrasts to read the content.
Font size and style also matter. Ensure that all text is readable without requiring users to zoom in excessively. Scalable fonts allow users to adjust text size according to their needs. Clear, straightforward typography further enhances readability.
Testing Navigation
Your website’s navigation structure should be intuitive and easy to follow. Test whether menus, buttons, and links are accessible using a keyboard alone. Many users rely on keyboard navigation, especially those with motor impairments.
Pay close attention to the tab order. The navigation sequence should follow a logical path, allowing users to move smoothly through the website without confusion. Dropdown menus and expandable sections should also be operable with a keyboard.
Reviewing Alternative Text for Images
Alternative text (alt text) provides descriptions for images, ensuring that users with screen readers can understand visual content. Review your website to confirm that all images, icons, and graphics have meaningful alt text.
The descriptions should be concise yet detailed enough to convey the image’s purpose. It’s better to leave the alt text blank for decorative images to avoid unnecessary clutter for screen reader users.
Ensuring Compatibility with Assistive Technologies
Many users depend on assistive technologies like screen readers, voice navigation tools, and braille displays. Test your website with these tools to ensure compatibility.
Focus on areas like form fields, dropdowns, and interactive elements. Ensure that labels are correctly associated with input fields, making it easier for users to complete tasks like logging in or filling out applications.
Assessing Multimedia Accessibility
Videos and audio content on your website should be accessible to everyone. Provide captions for videos and transcripts for audio files. These features help users who are deaf or hard of hearing understand the content.
Additionally, check if your media player is operable using a keyboard and compatible with screen readers. Allow users to control playback settings like volume and speed.
Testing for Responsiveness
Accessibility isn’t limited to desktop users. Your website should be fully responsive, adapting seamlessly to different screen sizes and devices. Test the site on smartphones, tablets, and desktops to ensure it works well for all users.
Responsive design also ensures that touch elements are large enough to tap quickly. Avoid placing interactive elements too close together, as this can create difficulties for users with limited dexterity.
Identifying Errors and Fixing Them
Use automated tools like WAVE, Axe, or Lighthouse to scan your website for accessibility issues. These tools highlight potential problems such as missing alt text, low contrast, or broken ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) labels.
While automated tools are helpful, they don’t catch everything. Conduct manual testing to identify issues that require human judgment, such as logical flow and user experience challenges.
Involving Real Users
The best way to ensure accessibility is to involve users with disabilities in testing. Their feedback can provide insights that automated tools and developers might miss.
Ask users to perform everyday tasks like logging in, transferring money, or contacting customer support. Please take note of any barriers they encounter and address these issues promptly.
Documenting and Monitoring Accessibility
Document your findings and improvements once you’ve completed the audit and implemented fixes. Accessibility is not a one-time task—it requires ongoing attention. Regularly monitor your website to ensure that updates or new features don’t introduce new barriers.
Consider appointing an accessibility coordinator or working with a specialized team to maintain your site’s compliance with accessibility standards.
Conclusion
An accessibility audit is essential for creating an inclusive and user-friendly credit union website. By following these steps, you can identify and eliminate barriers preventing users from accessing your services. Accessibility is not just about compliance; it’s about ensuring that everyone, regardless of their abilities, can manage their finances confidently and independently.
