Technology Corner

October Feature- The Accessibility Toolkit: Creating Access for All

True independence and inclusion are a shared responsibility. While technology provides powerful tools to help individuals with vision loss navigate the world, we can all contribute to making the digital world, from our social media posts to our professional documents, more accessible.

This month, our Technology Corner provides a simple toolkit of strategies and tools everyone can use to ensure their content is easily understood by people who use screen readers or have low vision.

The Three Cornerstones of Accessible Content

Making your digital content accessible doesn't require technical expertise; it just takes awareness of these three foundational principles:

1. Alt Text (Alternative Text): The Story Behind the Image
   Alt text is a short written description of an image that is read aloud by screen readers. This is crucial because it allows individuals who are blind or visually impaired to understand the content and context of a picture.

   • How to do it: Use the dedicated "Alt Text" field when you upload an image on social media or a website.

   • Tip: Think of alt text as describing the image to a friend who can't see it.

2. Sans-Serif Fonts: Simple and Clear
   The font you choose dramatically impacts readability. Sans-serif fonts (like Arial, Calibri, or Helvetica) are generally easier to read for people with low vision. They have clean lines and lack the decorative flourishes (serifs) that can make words appear cluttered.

   • Tip: Always aim for a legible font size (typically no smaller than 12pt) with sufficient spacing between lines.

3. High-Contrast Colors: Make It Pop
   The contrast between text and its background is critical for readability, especially for people with low vision. Using high-contrast color combinations, such as black text on a white background, or white text on a dark background—ensures the content is easy to see and read. Avoid using light grey text on a white background.

More Ways to Level Up Your Content

Once you've mastered the basics, focus on these two elements to create a perfectly navigable document:

1. Descriptive Links: Say What You Mean
   Avoid using generic text like "Click here" or "Read more" as the link text. A screen reader may list all the links on a page, and descriptive links tell the user where they are going.

   • Good Example: "Read our full guide on accessible navigation."

   • Bad Example: "For the guide, click here."

2. Heading Structure: A Roadmap for Screen Readers
   Headings are not just for making text bold; they create a functional roadmap for screen readers. By using proper heading tags (Heading 1, Heading 2, etc.) built into your software, you allow users to jump quickly from section to section, navigating your page like a table of contents.

Simple Tools to Check Your Work

You don't need to be an expert to check your content's accessibility. Many tools are built right into the platforms you already use:

• Microsoft Word & PowerPoint: Use the built-in Accessibility Checker (found in the "Review" tab) to scan your document for missing alt text, unclear headings, and color contrast issues.

• Online Contrast Checkers: Free online tools (like those from WebAIM) allow you to enter color codes to verify if they meet accessibility standards.

• Screen Reader Simulators: The simplest test is to turn on your phone's built-in screen reader (VoiceOver on iPhone, TalkBack on Android) and listen to your content. This helps you understand how someone who is blind will experience your post or document.

Conclusion

Making small changes to your content can have a massive impact on inclusivity. By simply adding alt text, using clear fonts, and checking your contrast, you contribute to a more accessible digital world where everyone can participate. It's a small effort that leads to a big difference and ensures that access truly is for all.

Interested in getting services or learning more about making the world accessible for all? Contact Navigating Independence, PLLC today!