Creating an accessible website not only enhances the user experience but also complies with the Digital Accessibility Law in Portugal, which mandates that public and private digital services adhere to accessibility standards.

In this article, we present essential practices and useful tools to help you create a website that is inclusive for everyone.

Why Create an Accessible Website?

• Social inclusion: Enables people with disabilities to navigate, interact with, and use the services offered on your site.
• Legal compliance: In Portugal, the Decree Law No. 83/2018 (originating from the European Directive 2016/2102) requires digital accessibility for public websites and encourages good practices in private businesses.
• Improved SEO: Accessible websites often achieve higher rankings on search engines.
• Increased audience reach: Accessibility broadens your potential audience by removing navigation barriers.

Best Practices for Creating an Accessible Website

1. Use of Semantic HTML
   Content should be structured with elements like '', '', '', and ''. This helps screen readers understand the site's hierarchy.
2. Alternative Text for Images
   Images should have descriptive text in their 'alt' attribute. For instance, instead of "image1.jpg", use something like "Photograph of a beach at sunset".
3. Colour Contrast
   Text must have sufficient contrast against the background. Good contrast makes reading easier for people with low vision. Tools like Contrast Checker are useful for this purpose.
4. Keyboard Navigation
   It is important that all interactive elements (buttons, links, menus) can be accessed using only the keyboard, via the Tab key.
5. Captions and Transcripts
   For videos and multimedia content, the use of captions and transcripts is essential. This benefits not only deaf users but also those who prefer reading or are in noisy environments.
6. Visual and Auditory Feedback
   When interacting with the website (e.g., submitting a form), clear indicators like visible error messages or successful action confirmations are crucial for users to receive feedback on their interaction.
7. Avoid Relying Solely on Colours
   Colours alone should not be used to convey information. For instance, combine colour with icons or text to reinforce the intended message.

Useful Tools to Ensure Accessibility

1. Wave
   A tool that identifies accessibility issues on web pages and provides suggestions for improvement.
2. Axe
   A free browser extension that evaluates the accessibility of your website directly within your browser.
3. Lighthouse
   Integrated into Google Chrome, it assesses your site’s accessibility, performance, and SEO.
4. NVDA (NonVisual Desktop Access)
   A screen reader that allows you to test how visually impaired users experience your site.
5. Colour Contrast Analyzer
   Verifies whether the contrast between text and background meets accessibility standards.
6. Tota11y
   A visual tool that highlights accessibility elements on your site, helping developers identify problem areas.

Digital Accessibility: The Future is Inclusive

Creating an accessible website is more than following a trend—it’s a commitment to a fairer and more inclusive society. By adopting these practices and using the recommended tools, you’ll be promoting a better experience for all users and reinforcing your company’s credibility in the market.