Introduction
Accessible web design is no longer just a nice-to-have feature—it’s a legal requirement and a moral imperative.
For property professionals, creating an inclusive online experience is not only about meeting legal obligations but also about reaching a broader audience and providing equal access to property information and services.
Why Accessible Web Design Matters
In the property market, having a website that is accessible to all users can give you a significant edge over your competitors. Accessibility ensures that people with disabilities, such as visual or hearing impairments, can easily access and navigate your website. By designing with accessibility in mind, you can reach a wider audience and provide a positive user experience for everyone, regardless of their abilities.
Key Accessibility Features for Estate Agency Websites
Alt Text for Images:
Including descriptive alt text for images allows visually impaired users to understand the content of the images through screen readers. For example, instead of simply labelling an image “House Front View,” provide descriptive alt text like “Beautiful 3-bedroom house with a spacious front yard and modern architecture.”
Keyboard Navigation:
Ensure that all functionality on your website can be accessed and operated using a keyboard alone. This is essential for users who cannot use a mouse or touchscreen. Test your website’s keyboard accessibility by navigating through it using only the Tab and Enter keys.
Clear and Readable Text:
Use high-contrast colours and legible fonts to make text easy to read for users with visual impairments. Avoid using small font sizes or decorative fonts that may be difficult to decipher; there are lots of websites that allow you to test layering colours and fonts so you can see if your brand is accessible.
Captioned Videos:
If your website includes videos, provide accurate captions to make them accessible to users who are deaf or hard of hearing. Captions not only improve accessibility but also enhance the overall user experience by providing additional context and clarity. You can also provide transcrips of videos for screen readers.
Legal Requirements and Compliance for Accessible Web Design
In the UK and the EU, there are laws that require websites and online platforms to be accessible to everyone, including people with disabilities. The key law in the UK is the Equality Act 2010, which prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities and requires reasonable adjustments to be made to ensure accessibility.
Similarly, in the EU, the Web Accessibility Directive (2016/2102) sets out requirements for public sector websites and mobile applications to be accessible to everyone.
In simple terms, this means that websites and online platforms need to be designed and built in a way that makes them easy to use for people with a range of disabilities. This could include things like providing alternative text for images so that screen readers can understand them, ensuring that the website can be navigated using only a keyboard, and making sure that text is easy to read and understand, as we’ve highlighted.
For estate agents, this is particularly relevant because agents often provide services online, such as listing properties for sale or rent, instant valuations or branch/ neighbourhood guides. Ensuring websites are accessible means that people with disabilities can still access information about properties and use the services provided by the estate agent.
Practical Tips for Implementing Accessibility in Web Design:
- Conduct Accessibility Audits: Regularly audit your website for accessibility issues using tools like WAVE or Axe to identify areas for improvement. Address any issues promptly to ensure your website remains accessible to all users.
- Provide Alternative Content: Offer alternative formats for content, such as downloadable PDFs or text-only versions, for users who may have difficulty accessing certain types of content on your website.
- Educate Your Team: Train your web development and content creation teams on accessibility best practices to ensure they are equipped to create accessible content and design features.
Examples of Accessibility in Website Design
GOV.UK:
GOV.UK is the official website of the UK government and is designed to be accessible to everyone.
It follows the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) closely, ensuring features like alt text for images, clear navigation, and compatibility with screen readers.
The website also offers various accessibility options, such as text resizing and high contrast mode, to cater to different needs.
RNIB (Royal National Institute of Blind People):
As an organisation dedicated to supporting people with sight loss, the RNIB website places a strong emphasis on accessibility.
It incorporates all required features and goes above and beyond based on feedback from site users, such as high contrast pages and larger spacing between words.
The website also provides resources and guidance on accessibility best practices, serving as a model for other websites to follow.
Tesco:
Tesco, a major UK supermarket chain, ensures that its website is accessible to all customers, including those with disabilities.
It follows WCAG guidelines, with features like alt text for all product images, keyboard navigation support for those with mobility issues, and a clear and consistent layout.
The website also offers options for adjusting text size and colour contrast, as well as alternative formats for certain content, such as accessible PDFs. Being a supermarket, the site also provides dietary information for those with allergies or intolerances.
Conclusion
Incorporating accessibility into estate agent website design and development is not only a legal requirement but also a crucial step toward creating an inclusive online experience for all users.
By implementing accessibility features and adhering to best practices, property professionals will reach a broader audience and demonstrate their commitment to inclusivity and diversity. Remember, designing for accessibility isn’t just the right thing to do—it’s also good for business.