Accessibility Compliance Checklist

Company: InclusiveTech Objective: Utilize the Accessibility Compliance Checklist Template to ensure all phases of product development meet high accessibility standards. This is aimed to serve users with various disabilities, fostering an inclusive digital environment.

Design Review

Introduction: Design is pivotal for accessibility. It dictates user engagement and affects how easily users with different abilities can interact with your product. This section ensures all design elements—from color contrast to font size—are considered and optimized to provide a seamless experience for all users, including those with visual impairments.

Color Contrast

• Assessment: Assess and verify the contrast ratios between text and background colors. Utilize tools like WebAIM's contrast checker.
• Implementation: Adhere to a minimum contrast ratio of 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text to guarantee readability for users, including those with color vision deficiencies.
• Verification: Conduct user testing with individuals who have color vision deficiencies to ensure readability under various conditions.

Font Size

• Standardization: Ensure a minimum font size of 14 points (18.66 pixels) while maintaining design integrity.
• User Settings: Allow for user settings that enable font scaling to accommodate users with low vision.
• Testing: Verify that larger font sizes are applied correctly across different devices and platforms.

Element Spacing

• Whitespace: Refine the whitespace around clickable elements to minimize the risk of misclicks.
• Spacing Compliance: Ensure sufficient spacing to accommodate users who may use assistive technologies or have motor impairments.
• Feedback Loop: Regularly collect user feedback to identify areas needing spacing improvements.

Text Alignment

• Alignment Choices: Left-align body text as it supports readability, especially for users with dyslexia and other reading difficulties.
• Avoid Justification: Refrain from using justified text to prevent uneven spacing that can disrupt reading flow.
• Evaluation: Regularly review text alignment across different sections to ensure consistency and readability.

Responsive Design

• Testing Scenarios: Test design elements on different screen sizes and orientations, including desktops, tablets, and mobile devices.
• Flexibility: Ensure your product remains functional and accessible across various user environments through flexible design elements.

Content Readability

Introduction: Quality content must be readable and understandable. This section ensures that your content is clear, concise, and structured for accessibility. This includes using descriptive alt text for images and adopting straightforward language, thereby improving usability for everyone, including users relying on screen readers.

Alt Text

• Description: Provide informative and concise alt text for all images.
• Purpose: Ensure the descriptions convey the content and purpose of images, enhancing the browsing experience for users who are visually impaired.
• Review: Regularly audit and update alt text as images and content evolve.

Understandable Language

• Simplicity: Craft content using simple and plain language to ensure clarity.
• Avoid Jargon: Refrain from using technical terms and complex terminology to broaden accessibility.
• Review Process: Implement a content review process focused on clarity and simplicity.

Headings and Structure

• Hierarchy: Use a logical hierarchy of headings (H1, H2, H3) to organize content.
• Navigation: Structured content improves navigation for users utilizing assistive technologies.
• Audit: Periodically audit the structure to ensure it aligns with best practices.

Link Description

• Clarity: Ensure that all links have descriptive text clearly indicating their destination or action.
• Assistive Technology: Facilitate better understanding for users with screen readers through clear link descriptions.
• Consistency: Maintain consistent link descriptions across all content.

Readability Tools

• Assessment: Utilize readability assessment tools to measure text complexity.
• Target Level: Aim for content to be around the 8th-grade reading level to ensure broad comprehensibility.
• Regular Checks: Conduct regular readability checks as new content is added.

Navigation

Introduction: Effective navigation is essential for an accessible product. This section focuses on clear and consistent navigation patterns, ensuring that users, including those with mobility impairments, can move through your product efficiently using keyboards or other assistive devices.

Tabbing Order

• Sequential Flow: Ensure a logical and sequential tabbing order for all interactive elements.
• Intuitive Navigation: An intuitive tabbing flow enhances navigation for users relying on keyboard navigation.
• Testing: Conduct regular tests to ensure tabbing order remains logical as the product evolves.

Keyboard Compatibility

• Command Access: Verify all functionalities are accessible via keyboard commands.
• Mouse-Free Operation: Ensure users can complete all tasks without needing a mouse.
• Compliance: Regularly check for 100% keyboard compatibility.

Skip Navigation Links

• Implementation: Implement skip navigation links to allow users to bypass repetitive content.
• Utility: Enhance utility for keyboard and screen reader users for quicker access to main content.
• Verification: Confirm the visibility and functionality of skip navigation links through user testing.

Focus Indicators

• Visibility: Provide visible focus indicators for all interactive elements.
• Tracking: Help users track their position on the screen to enhance navigation.
• Consistency: Ensure focus indicators are consistent throughout the product.

Consistent Menus

• Design Consistency: Design menus consistent across all pages.
• Predictable Patterns: Maintain predictable navigation patterns to reduce learning curves.
• Usability: Improve usability for all users, especially those with cognitive disabilities.