Learn Accessibility, Gain Another Vital Job Skill

Accessibility starts with HTML, and it's the foundation upon which we build more inclusive and usable web experiences. HTML is more than just a tool for structuring content; it's the language that ensures that content is perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust – the four key principles of web accessibility.

When developers approach HTML with accessibility in mind, they're not just organizing content; they're crafting a user experience that is accessible to everyone, including people with disabilities.

This means using semantic HTML tags that provide meaning and structure to web content, making it accessible to assistive technologies like screen readers. It's about using <header>, <nav>, <main>, and <footer> elements to define a page's structure or <article>, <section>, and <aside> to delineate content areas. Each of these elements plays a crucial role in conveying the context and purpose of content, which is essential for users who rely on assistive technologies.

Moreover, accessible HTML is about ensuring that all interactive elements are keyboard navigable, that forms have properly associated labels, and that images have meaningful alternative text. It's about creating web content that can be accessed and understood by people with a wide range of hearing, movement, sight, and cognitive abilities.

And here are a few examples of what to do and not to do in HTML:

1. Incorrect Use of Semantic Elements

Mistake:

Using non-semantic HTML elements like <div> or <span> for content that has more appropriate semantic tags.

<div onclick="navigateToPage();">Click here to learn more</div>

Correction:

Use semantic HTML elements that convey the purpose of the content. For instance, use <button> for clickable actions.

<button onclick="navigateToPage();">Click here to learn more</button>

2. Missing Alt Text for Images

Mistake:

Images without alt attribute or with inadequate descriptions.

<img src="logo.png">

Correction:

Provide descriptive alt text for images, especially for informative images.

<img src="logo.png" alt="Company Logo">

3. Forms with Poor Labeling

Mistake:

Input elements without proper labels.

<input type="text" name="email">

Correction:

Use <label> elements to associate text with form inputs.

<label for="email">Email:</label> <input type="text" id="email" name="email">

These are not all the mistakes that shown in HTML but these are the most common. Learning from them can help make your website more accessible in the future. But if you don’t, neglecting HTML's role in accessibility, we risk creating digital barriers that exclude a significant portion of the population. In an increasingly digital world, this is not just a matter of following best practices; it's a matter of social responsibility and inclusivity.

So, let's move beyond the jokes about whether HTML is a programming language and recognize its vital role in creating an accessible and inclusive digital world. As developers, designers, and content creators, we have the power and responsibility to ensure that our digital creations are accessible to all, and that begins with a solid foundation in HTML.