As a nonprofit organization, your website is a critical tool for reaching donors, volunteers, and the communities you serve. It’s important to remember that not everyone has the same access to information online. In order to ensure that your organization is inclusive and welcoming to everyone, it’s essential to make your website accessible for all users, regardless of ability.
What is website accessibility?
Website accessibility refers to the practice of designing and developing websites in a way that makes them usable for people with disabilities. This can include people with visual impairments, hearing impairments, mobility impairments, and cognitive impairments. In order to be accessible, a website should be designed in a way that allows people with disabilities to navigate and interact with the content on the site using assistive technology.
Why is website accessibility important for nonprofits?
By 2025, it’s estimated that one-quarter of the world’s population will have a disability. For nonprofit organizations, this means that a growing number of your supporters and constituents may face barriers when accessing your website.
Making your website accessible not only ensures that your organization is able to reach as many people as possible, it’s also a legal requirement. In the United States, organizations that receive federal funding or are considered to be places of public accommodation are required to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which includes guidelines for website accessibility.
In addition, making your website accessible can help to increase your organization’s visibility online. By ensuring that your website is optimized for assistive technology, you will also improve your website’s search engine optimization (SEO) and make it easier for users to find and engage with your organization online.
How can you make your nonprofit website accessible?
There are a number of steps you can take to make your nonprofit website accessible for everyone. Here are a few things to consider:
- Use headings and subheadings to structure your content in a logical way
- Use and test for adequate color contrast to make it easier for users with visual impairments to read your content
- Provide alternative text for images, which can be read by screen readers
- Ensure that all videos have closed captions or transcripts
- Use descriptive links that give users a clear idea of where they will be taken when they click on a link
- Make sure that your website can be navigated using a keyboard, as some users may not be able to use a mouse
In addition, it’s a good idea to have your website evaluated by a professional who specializes in website accessibility. Day is New Creative provides this service can help you identify areas for improvement and suggest specific solutions. Contact us for a quote.
Conclusion
Making your nonprofit website accessible for everyone is not only a legal requirement, it’s also the right thing to do. By ensuring that your website can be navigated and understood by all users, you can make your organization more visible, more welcoming, and more effective in achieving your mission. So take some time to evaluate your website and make the necessary changes – your donors, volunteers, and constituents will thank you for it!
