Digital Accessibility: What a Therapy Website Needs for Compliance

How to Make Your Therapy Website Accessibility Compliant

The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) are international standards designed to make web content more accessible to people with disabilities. Many websites still fall short of meeting these standards, making it difficult for people of varying capabilities and backgrounds to access web content.

Below are specific ways to make your therapy website more accessible. They highlight critical WCAG requirements to help you ensure that your practice's website is accessible to clients with disabilities.

Alt Text Attached to Images

Provide text alternatives for any non-text content, such as images, to help screen readers convey the information.

Steps:

• Use your website builder's tools to add descriptive alt text for images, icons, and other non-text elements.
• For complex images, ensure detailed descriptions are provided either on the page or beneath the image.

Example:
Provide alt text for a photo of your therapy room, such as:
"Serene NYC therapy office with comfortable seating and calming decor."

Keyboard Accessibility

Ensure that all functionality is accessible via keyboard, catering to users who cannot use a mouse.

Steps:

• Ask your website developer to ensure all site functionality is accessible via keyboard.
• If you're using a self-serve option, check if your website builder includes built-in keyboard accessibility.

Example:
Click the tab button when visiting a website and see what happens—can you tab through all the different elements of the website?

Readable Text

Use clear, simple language and provide tools to adjust text size and contrast for better readability.

Steps:

• Use your website builder's text tools to create clear, readable content.
• Utilize features like adjustable text size and high contrast modes.

Example:
Write simple, clear text, using headings and bullet points to break up content. Provide options for users to increase text size and adjust contrast.

Descriptive Links

Use descriptive text for links, making it clear where each link will take the user.

Steps:

• Ensure all links have descriptive text by avoiding generic terms like “click here.”
• Instead, describe where or what the site visitor is clicking on.

Example:
"Learn more about my therapy practice" instead of "click here."

Consistent Navigation

Maintain a consistent layout and navigation structure throughout the website to help users easily find information.

Steps:

• Maintain a consistent layout, menu structure, and navigation order across all pages.
• Use your website builder’s templates to ensure uniformity.

Example:
Keep the same header, footer, and menu placement on every page of your site.

Video Captions

Provide captions and transcripts for audio and video content to aid those with hearing impairments.

Steps:

• Add captions and transcripts for all audio and video content.
• Many video services, like YouTube or Vimeo, provide automatic transcribing—ensure this setting is turned on if you use them.

Example:
A video on your website describing your therapy methods includes a transcription with the information presented beneath the video.

Accessible Forms

Ensure that forms are clearly labeled and provide helpful error messages to guide users through the submission process.

Steps:

• Ensure all forms have clear labels and instructions.
• Use your website builder’s form tools to add helpful error messages and instructions for filling out forms.

Example:
Clearly label each form field and provide specific error messages such as:
"Please enter a valid email address."

Responsive Design

Make sure your website is responsive and works well on various devices and screen sizes.

Steps:

• Use responsive templates provided by your website builder or instruct your developer to create a design that works on all devices and screen sizes.
• Ensure your site looks and functions well on smartphones, tablets, and desktops by visiting it on various devices if you have them.

Contrast and Color Use

Ensure sufficient contrast between text and background colors, and avoid relying solely on color to convey information.

Steps:

• Use your website builder’s design tools to ensure sufficient contrast between text and background.
• Avoid relying solely on color to convey information.
• Validate that website colors meet contrast standards using tools like a (https://coolors.co/contrast-checker/112a46-acc8e5)[Color Contrast checker].

Example:
Use high-contrast color combinations, such as dark text on a light background, to ensure that information is not conveyed solely through color.

Ensuring your therapy practice is digitally and physically accessible is essential for providing inclusive and effective care. By following these guidelines for building a website for your practice, you can get closer to creating a welcoming environment that meets the needs of all clients.