How Do I Make My Squarespace Website Accessible?

Creating an accessible website on Squarespace is crucial for ensuring that all users, including those with disabilities, can effectively navigate and interact with your site. Below are detailed steps to help you make your Squarespace website accessible:

1. Use Alt Text for Images

Alt Text (Alternative Text) provides a textual description of images, which is important for screen readers used by visually impaired individuals.

• Steps to add Alt Text:
• Log in to your Squarespace account and navigate to your site.
• Go to the page or post containing the image.
• Click on the image block to edit it.
• Find the “Design” tab or a similar section where you can add an image description or caption.
• Enter a descriptive and concise alt text.

2. Ensure Keyboard Navigation

Users with motor disabilities may rely on keyboard navigation rather than a mouse. Your site should be fully navigable using just the keyboard.

• Test your site’s navigation by using the Tab key to move through different elements on the page.
• Make sure all interactive elements (links, buttons, forms) are reachable and usable via the keyboard.
• Check that the focus indicator (usually a visible outline around the active element) is apparent and not removed via custom CSS.

3. Use High Contrast and Readable Fonts

Make sure the text and background colors have enough contrast to be readable by people with visual impairments, including color blindness.

• Use tools like WebAIM's Contrast Checker to test color contrast ratios.
• Avoid very light text on light backgrounds or vice versa.
• Use legible font sizes and styles. Sans-serif fonts are generally more accessible.

4. Implement Proper Headings Structure

Use headings (H1, H2, H3, etc.) correctly to organize your content and help screen readers understand the structure and hierarchy of your content.

• Each page should have one H1 tag, typically for the main title.
• Use H2 for sections under the main title and H3 for subsections under H2, and so on.
• Ensure that your headings are descriptive and informative.

5. Provide Text Equivalents for Multimedia

Videos and audio content should have text equivalents like transcripts and captions.

• Add closed captions to videos when possible.
• Provide full transcripts for audio content and podcasts.
• Use descriptive text for visual elements in videos to describe the essential visual content.

6. Use Descriptive Link Text

Make sure that links are descriptive and inform the user where the link will take them.

• Avoid using generic phrases like “click here” or “read more.” Instead, use descriptive text such as “read our accessibility guidelines” or “view our contact page.”

7. Form Accessibility

Ensure that all forms are accessible.

• Label all form fields clearly. Use the 'label' tag correctly in the HTML. For Squarespace, you can typically find these settings under form options.
• Provide instructions and error messages for forms. If a user makes an error, provide clear instructions on how to fix it.

8. Test for Screen Reader Compatibility

Regularly test your website using screen reader software to identify and fix accessibility issues.

• Popular screen readers include JAWS (Windows), NVDA (Windows), VoiceOver (Mac), and ChromeVox (Chrome Extension).
• Navigate through your site using these tools to ensure content is properly announced and structured.

9. Regularly Use Accessibility Testing Tools

There are various tools available online that can help you test and improve the accessibility of your site.

• WAVE (Web Accessibility Evaluation Tool): A free tool by WebAIM that provides visual feedback about the accessibility of your content.
• Axe by Deque: A browser extension that evaluates accessibility issues.
• Google Lighthouse: A tool that is built into the Chrome browser for auditing websites for performance, accessibility, and more.

10. Stay Informed

Accessibility standards and best practices evolve. Keep yourself updated on guidelines such as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).

• Refer to WCAG 2.1, which provides recommendations for making web content more accessible.

Final Considerations

• Accessibility is an ongoing effort. Regularly review and update your site to maintain and enhance its accessibility features.
• Customer feedback is invaluable. Encourage users to report any accessibility issues they encounter so you can address them promptly.
• Consult Accessibility Experts. If needed, seek the advice of experts specializing in web accessibility to ensure compliance and optimization.

By following these steps, you’ll make significant strides in creating an accessible Squarespace website that serves all users effectively.