For a social purpose organisation, inclusivity shouldn’t be just a buzzword; it should be the core of your mission. However, many charities unknowingly exclude thousands of potential service users, donors and members because their website isn’t digitally accessible. Understanding and implementing the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) is essential.
What is WCAG?
WCAG is an internationally recognised set of standards designed to make web content more accessible to people with disabilities, including visual, auditory, physical, and cognitive impairments. In the UK, public sector bodies are required to meet WCAG 2.1 AA standards, and charities are strongly expected to follow suit under the Equality Act 2010.
Key Accessibility Features Your Charity Site Needs
Colour Contrast: Text must stand out clearly against its background so visually impaired users can read your information easily. This also includes ensuring text overlaid on images must be easily read.
Keyboard Navigation: Not everyone can use a mouse. Your site must be fully navigable using only the Tab and Enter keys. This is one reason we don’t advise automatic carousel imagery as it can affect the flow of this journey.
Screen Reader Compatibility: Images need descriptive ‘alt text,’ and heading structures (H1, H2, H3) must be logical so screen readers can dictate the page perfectly to blind users.
At Agency For Good, inclusive design is our standard and we go to great lengths to be at the forefront, it shouldn’t be an add-on. Read more about how we build fully accessible Charity Websites.