Access Denied: can't someone with a disability just ask for help?
Access Denied: the project that provides insights into the digital accessibility of all hospital websites in the Netherlands. Together with Proud Nerds, we started this project to create more awareness. Our mission is to provide equal online access to care for everyone. In this blog, we answer frequently asked questions!
In the previous blog, we answered the question "what are the restrictions for hearing-impaired and deaf people on hospital websites?". You can read more in the previous blog. In this blog, we will delve into one of the most frequently asked questions: "Why can't someone with a disability just ask for help?"
3 tips to make your website digitally accessible(er)!
When we apply the WCAG 2.2 guidelines, it makes it possible for people with functional disabilities to do "their thing" on the internet more independently. So getting people with visual, hearing, cognitive or motor disabilities to use the internet is not an impossible task. Here are some tips to get a good start on digital accessibility!
Fix your colour contrast!
Colour is a pleasant way to communicate. You can easily convey information with it. It can even evoke a certain feeling. But, make sure there is enough colour contrast! The success criterion 1.4.3 in WCAG 2.2 are about the contrast between text and background. Make sure you have a minimum colour contrast of 4.5:1. For non-textual content and large text, a minimum colour contrast of 3.0:1 is required!
Tip: check your contrast with the "Colour Contrast Analyzer". This tool also uses our researchers in a WCAG survey on websites, apps and online documents. This way, you help people with visual impairment and make your website a lot more digitally accessible for them!
Does your website work with keyboard navigation?
There are some tools that can help people with motor disability. For example, this helps make using the computer easier to manage certain things, or find information. For example, using keyboard navigation can help people operate the website. Please note that:
You make sure there is a clear focus around all the interactive elements.
You may want to add a "skiplink" to the navigation menu.
Write in "Jip-and-Janneke" language!
Jip-and-Janneke language means that texts are written simply. But writing texts in clear and simple language is still quite difficult! Yet it helps people with, for example, a cognitive disability, or people who are low-literate, to understand your information better. For example, write in Language Level B1. This stands for simple Dutch. This is how you write the best "Jip-and-Janneke" texts:
Use short sentences
Use a clear title (and intermediate headings)
Write your objective as quickly as possible
Avoid jargon and write with commonly used words
The less the better: write your texts as short as possible!
Use your words consistently (i.e. avoid synonyms)
Use concrete words
Who are we digitally accessible to?
Tim is 35 years old and currently living in Arnhem. His greatest passion is dancing. Tim is a speaker across the country, sharing his knowledge and experiences on inclusion. Tim started working in healthcare technology from which "Het Dorp" emerged.
Tim has brittle bones because there is less calcium than normal in his bones. "When you high-five me, my arm might break," he says.
Want to know more about this project?
Curious about all the research findings? You can request the report on the Access Denied website. In doing so, Simone, Marijn and Jantina also share their stories. Together, we make sure we make the internet accessible to everyone. Want to get started developing digitally accessible websites for everyone yourself? Then take a look at all our training courses.
