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Websites
1
Websites are essential for people with intellectual disabilities to find information and communicate.
However, many websites are hard for people with intellectual disabilities to use.
Many people with intellectual disabilities and people with other disabilities use assistive technology to help them use websites, for example, screen readers.
It is important that your organisation makes its website easy to understand and easy to use so more people will be able to take part in your organisation's activities.
There are lots of accessibility checkers online that you can use to make sure your website works for people with disabilities.
2
Consult with self-advocates.
When creating a new website, talk with people with intellectual disabilities. Ask them to check the structure, design and content as you build your website, so you can include their feedback as you go.
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For example, self-advocates who were paid consultants led the development of the Listen Include Respect website.
3
Use plain language and avoid acronyms.
Headings break up the text and help people find the information they are looking for more easily.
4
Make sure it is noticeable when you are hovering over a link or button.
Links and buttons should be obvious and the link text should explain where clicking will take you.
5
Make sure your website is keyboard-friendly.
Many technologies that people with disabilities use, like screen readers, rely on keyboard navigation. To test if your site works without a mouse, use only the Tab key to jump between the content.
6
Use image descriptions and alt-text.
Screen-readers use image descriptions called alt-text to describe an image for people who are blind. They can also be useful to describe an image in an easy way.
7
Make sure your videos have subtitles.
It is useful for people with hearing impairments or people using assistive devices, but also for everyone to understand different accents.
8
Use colours that stand out, large clear fonts and make sure there is lots of white space around information.
There are online tools to check if your website design is accessible.
9
Be open to feedback.
Assistive technologies are always updating. Talk with self-advocates so that they can inform you if there's a way you can improve the accessibility of your website.
