What are the best practices for designing screen reader compatible websites?

1 Use semantic HTML

Semantic HTML is the use of HTML tags that describe the meaning and purpose of the content, rather than just the appearance. For example, using <h1> for the main heading, <p> for paragraphs, <ul> for unordered lists, and <nav> for navigation. Semantic HTML helps screen readers understand the structure and hierarchy of the website, and provide users with shortcuts and landmarks to navigate through the page. It also improves the SEO and maintainability of the website.

2 Provide clear and consistent navigation

Navigation is essential for screen reader users, as it helps them orient themselves and find the information they need. To ensure clear and consistent navigation, labels for links, buttons, and menus should be descriptive and concise, avoiding ambiguous or generic terms such as "click here" or "read more". Additionally, a skip link at the beginning of each page should be included to allow users to jump directly to the main content, bypassing repetitive elements such as headers and footers. Breadcrumbs, headings, and subheadings should also be used to indicate the user's current location and context within the website. Finally, a clear and logical order of elements on the page should be provided, without using tab order or CSS to rearrange them visually.

3 Write accessible and meaningful content

Content is the foundation of any website, and it should be accessible and meaningful for screen reader users. To write content that meets this criteria, use plain and simple language, and avoid jargon, acronyms, or idioms that may confuse or exclude some. Additionally, provide alternative text for images, icons, graphs, and other non-text elements that describes their function or content concisely. For audio and video content, use captions, transcripts, and audio descriptions with controls to play, pause, stop, and adjust the volume. Additionally, use color contrast, font size, and spacing to enhance readability and legibility of the text. Finally, use lists, tables, and headings to organize information in a clear structure with appropriate markup and attributes to indicate their roles and relationships.

4 Give feedback and guidance

Feedback and guidance are essential for screen reader users, as they help them confirm their actions and understand the results. To provide this, labels, instructions, and error messages should explain the purpose and requirements of forms, inputs, and controls with the <label> tag or the aria-label attribute. Live regions, alerts, and notifications should inform users of dynamic changes or updates on the page with the aria-live attribute to specify their priority and frequency. Focus indicators, landmarks, and headings should highlight the current element or section that the user is interacting with with the tabindex attribute or the aria-activedescendant attribute to manage the focus order. Finally, aria roles, states, and properties should describe the function, value, and status of the elements on the page with the aria-hidden attribute or the role="presentation" attribute to hide irrelevant or decorative elements. Following these best practices will ensure websites are compatible with screen readers and provide an improved user experience for all users. It's important to remember that accessibility is not a feature but a necessity and a right for everyone.