7 Tips For Add Accessibility to Insurance Website Designs

Welcome to our blog post on the crucial topic of adding accessibility to insurance website designs! In this digital age, where online presence is more important than ever, ensuring that your website is accessible to all users becomes a moral and legal obligation. It’s not just about complying with regulations; it’s about creating an inclusive space that caters to everyone’s needs.

So, whether you’re an insurance company looking for ways to enhance your website or a web designer eager to learn some valuable tips, buckle up as we take you through seven essential strategies for making your insurance website design truly accessible. Let’s dive in and pave the way towards inclusivity together!

Tip 1: Utilizing alt text for images and graphics

When creating an inclusive and accessible insurance website design, one important aspect to consider is the use of alt text for images and graphics. Alt text, short for alternative text, briefly describes an image or graphic that screen readers or other assistive technologies can read.

It is crucial to ensure that visually impaired users can understand your website’s content some tips on how you can effectively utilize alt text for images and graphics:

• Be descriptive: When writing alt text, it’s important to be as descriptive as possible. This means providing enough information about the image or graphic so that a visually impaired user can understand its purpose. Use concise yet detailed language to describe the key elements of the image, such as objects, colors, shapes, and context.
• Keep it concise: While being descriptive is essential, keeping the alt text short is also important. Screen readers tend to read out every word in an alt tag, which can overwhelm users. Aim for around 125 characters or less when writing alt text.
• Use keywords: Alt tags also play a role in search engine optimization (SEO). Ensure you include relevant keywords in your alt text without compromising clarity and accuracy.

Tip 2: Incorporating descriptive headings and subheadings

Incorporating descriptive headings and subheadings is essential to creating an accessible insurance website design. Headings and subheadings are used to organize content, making it easier for users to navigate your website and find the necessary information.

Not only do they improve the overall usability of your website, but they also play a crucial role in making your website more accessible to people with disabilities.

Using clear and descriptive headings allows individuals who use screen readers or other assistive technologies to understand your website’s structure better. These tools rely heavily on heading tags to navigate a webpage, so it is crucial to use them correctly. Properly marked-up headings also benefit those with cognitive disabilities by breaking down large chunks of text into smaller, more manageable sections.

Tip 3: Using high color contrast for better readability

One of the key aspects of making a website accessible is ensuring that it is readable for all users, regardless of any visual impairments they may have. This includes using high color contrast to make text and images stand out and be easily distinguishable.

What is color contrast? It refers to the difference in brightness between two colors. A high color contrast means a significant difference in brightness between the foreground (text or image) and background colors. The greater the difference, the easier for people with low vision or color blindness to read and understand.

Why is high color contrast important? Low color contrast can make text appear blurry or difficult to read for individuals with visual impairments. This can lead to frustration and even discourage them from using your website. By using high color contrast, you are not only making your website more accessible but also creating a better user experience for all visitors.

Tip 4: Including keyboard navigation options

When designing a website, it’s important to consider the diverse needs of your audience. Some users may have physical disabilities that make using a traditional mouse or trackpad difficult. This is where keyboard navigation options can greatly improve accessibility for these individuals.

Keyboard navigation means allowing users to navigate through your website using only their keyboard without needing a mouse or trackpad. This is especially useful for those with motor impairments and individuals who rely on assistive technologies such as screen readers.

Here are some tips for including keyboard navigation options in your insurance website design:

• Ensure all elements are accessible via the tab key: The tab key allows users to move between interactive elements on a webpage. It’s important to ensure that all clickable and interactive elements on your website can be accessed and activated using the tab key.
• Use logical tab order: When designing your website, you should consider the natural flow of information and arrange the tab order accordingly. Users should be able to navigate through your website logically and intuitively without having to backtrack constantly.
• Provide visual cues and focus indicators: For individuals with visual impairments, it’s important to provide clear visual cues when an element has been selected or focused on using the keyboard. This could include changing the color or size of the component, adding an outline or border, or providing an audible cue.

Tip 5: Providing captions and transcripts for videos and audio content

In today’s digital world, videos and audio content have become integral to website design. They convey information, engage users, and create a more dynamic experience. However, these elements can pose a significant barrier for people with disabilities who rely on assistive technologies to navigate the web.

One way to make your insurance website more accessible is by providing captions and transcripts for all videos and audio content. Captions are text versions of dialogue or narration that appear on-screen while the video is playing, whereas transcripts are written versions of the audio content. Here’s why they are crucial for accessibility:

• Helps People with Hearing Disabilities: Captions provide a way for people who are deaf or hard of hearing to understand the content of your videos. By including accurate captions, you ensure that this group of individuals can access your information without any barriers.
• Improves Comprehension: Even individuals with no hearing impairments can benefit from captions as they help improve comprehension. Some people may find it challenging to follow along with spoken content due to issues like auditory processing disorder or difficulty understanding accents. Captions provide them with an alternative means of understanding the material.
• Assists Non-Native Speakers: With the internet being a global platform, it’s essential to consider non-native speakers when designing your insurance website. Providing transcripts allows them to read along while listening, greatly aiding their understanding.
• Enhances Search Engine Optimization (SEO): Captioning your videos also has SEO benefits, as search engines use this text when indexing web pages. This means that having captions increases the chances of your video showing up in relevant searches.

Tip 6: Making forms and buttons easily

Forms and buttons are integral to any insurance website design, as they allow users to input important information or perform specific actions. However, for individuals with disabilities, these elements can often pose significant challenges if they are not designed with accessibility in mind. To ensure that all users can easily navigate and interact with your forms and buttons, here are some key tips to remember.

• Use Descriptive Labels: When creating form fields, it is essential to use clear and descriptive labels. This will help screen readers accurately convey the purpose of each field to visually impaired users. Avoid using vague terms like “click here” or “choose option,” as they do not provide enough context for those relying on assistive technology.
• Provide Clear Instructions: Along with descriptive labels, it is crucial to include clear instructions above or beside each form field. These instructions should explain what information is required and how it should be entered. For example, you can specify the phone numbers or dates format to help users fill out the form correctly.
• Ensure Keyboard Accessibility: Many individuals with disabilities rely on a keyboard rather than a mouse to navigate websites. Therefore, it is vital to ensure that all forms and buttons on your website are fully accessible via keyboard navigation. This means that users should be able to move between fields using the “tab” key and submit the form using the “enter” key.

7 Tip – Make Website Responsive

With the rise of mobile devices, it is now more important than ever to ensure that your insurance website is responsive. This means that the design and layout of your website should adjust and adapt according to the screen size and resolution of any device it is being accessed from, whether it’s a desktop computer, laptop, tablet, or smartphone.

The first step in making your website responsive is to use a responsive design template. These templates are designed to adjust elements such as font sizes, images, and navigation menus based on the device used. They also allow for easier scrolling and navigation on smaller screens.

Another important aspect of responsive design is ensuring that all images on your website are optimized for different screen sizes. This means using high-quality images that can be resized without losing quality or slowing down page loading time. It’s also important to avoid using large image files as they can significantly slow down the loading speed of your website.