(1) The document provides tips for developing an accessible website, including having clear visuals without distracting graphics or screens, captioning all audio and video, making the site keyboard friendly, and including accessible forms and files. (2) It also offers tips for making existing websites accessible, such as using the free WAVE web accessibility tool to identify issues, assessing video for captions, ensuring a logical site map, and testing with a screen reader. (3) The document emphasizes the importance of regular accessibility audits and compliance with Section 508 standards.

1. Web Accessibility
Best Practices and Helpful Tips

2. Developing Your Accessible Website
Since Section 508 is a federal requirement, there are numerous resources on Section 508 compliance available, including
the “Best Practices Playbook”, which can be found here : https://section508.gov/best-practices. Section 508 standards for
WCAG3 can be found at Access-Board.gov.
If your business does not have an existing website, here are some tips to consider when planning, with
accessibility in mind :
• Have clear visuals.
It is very tempting to add appealing, colorful graphics and background screens, however, if you want your message to be
read by an assistive reader, keep the graphics simple and skip the screens all together. As nice as it may look, screen readers
have a great deal of difficulty reading these types of images. Remember, any images, screens or graphics on your site need
to include alt text in the code or descriptive captions.
Don’t use color as a navigational tool, as colorblind, visually impaired people and screen readers cannot differentiate based
on color alone.
Try to avoid blinking, flashing or rapidly scrolling headlines, as it carries the possibility of inducing seizures for those with
neurological disabilities.

3. • Caption audio and video.
Multimedia sources such as video, slide shows or podcasts require additional handling for accessibility. If your
website includes video, provide captioning and transcripts. Audio podcasts should also include transcripts. Try to
avoid imbedding songs or anything that may play automatically without also including a skip control.
• Be keyboard-friendly.
Assistive screen readers utilize keyboard controls. Include headings, lists, and other structural elements (tags) as
these allow navigation with a keyboard, or keyboard modifier keys, which is necessary for people who have difficulty
with or cannot use a mouse.
• Include accessible forms and files.
Users with screen readers or other assistive technology should be able to fill out and submit all forms. Any
downloadable files on the website, such as documents, job applications, white papers, PDFs, product specifications,
directions, etc. should be accessible, as well. Documents should be tagged appropriately to enable screen readers to
read them.
• Build in "skip navigation."
If your site contains repetitive elements, a “skip navigation” link allows users to skip over them and get to the main
content of the page. It is very inconvenient to have to go thru pages of extra “stuff” to find the content.
Developing Your Accessible Website continued…

4. Tips for Making Existing Websites Accessible
For existing websites, there are many web auditing tools and programs available. Many software makers offer
free trials. For more in-depth information or printable reports generally these are paid services.
To help get started, the one below is free.
Try this scan on your website : http://wave.webaim.org/
Type in your web address and the “enter” key. It will NOT give you a printed report, however, it will identify
problem areas. Keep in mind that each page of your website will have to be run individually. It is also helpful
to have a site map available so you don’t miss any pages.
• Identify and note PDF’s, graphics, hand-outs and additional non-HTML content that may need to be
handled separately. Note what programs the documents etc. were created in. Later, this may assist you in
converting to PDF and tagging for an assistive reader.
• Pay attention to back ground screens, graphics or photographs, as screen readers often have a difficult
time with these. Also check for color contrast, fancy fonts, characters or other distracting elements. Some
screen readers may not read them at all.

5. • Assess any video content that may need captioning. Make sure video content is captioned and transcripts
available. The same is true for podcasts or any sound files that include speech.
• Make sure your website includes a site-map. It is very helpful if the overall structure is logical and reads in the
correct order. Having a site map also makes navigation and accessing content much easier.
• Manually test any difficult areas with a screen reader.
(Here is a free screen reader to try: https://www.nvaccess.org/download/ )
• Identify exact locations within the website where there are issues. Takes notes or simply keep screenshots in a
file. This will make it easier for your IT to identify any untagged content or HTML codes that need to be changed.
• Set up a regular schedule to audit your website for accessibility. Whether you do it yourself, or outsource the
task, web content changes constantly. Doing regular audits will help ensure that your website and company
message is always accessible and will promote an image of inclusion.
Make sure you visit www.accessboard.gov to stay informed of any changes to the requirements of 508 compliance.
Tips for Making Existing Websites Accessible continued….

6. For more information or help with making your website accessible for assistive readers, please leave
your Name, Company Name, Email Address and Telephone Number!
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