America's Greatest Foods Shipped To Your Door: Explaining WCAG Principles of Understandable & Robust Web Content

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Aug 05, 2023

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America's Greatest Foods Shipped To Your Door: Explaining WCAG Principles of Understandable & Robust Web Content

In today's digital age, the accessibility of web content is of utmost importance. It is essential that websites are designed and developed in a way that is understandable and robust, ensuring that all users, regardless of their abilities, can access and interact with the content seamlessly. The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) outline several principles that help achieve this goal. In this article, we will explore the principles of understandability and robustness and how they can be applied to create a better web experience for all.

Guideline 3.1: Readable - Making Web Content Easy to Understand

The first principle of understandability focuses on making web content easy to read and comprehend. It is crucial to present information in a clear and straightforward manner. To achieve this, there are best practices recommended by the Plain Language Action and Information Network (PLAIN) that can be followed:

  • 1. Use Plain Language: When creating body copy for your website, it is important to use strong and simple words. Avoid jargon or technical terms that may confuse users. Instead, opt for language that is easily understood by a wide range of individuals.
  • 2. Short Paragraphs: Breaking down information into short paragraphs helps improve readability. Long blocks of text can be overwhelming and discouraging for users. By using shorter paragraphs, you can make the content more digestible and easier to navigate.
  • 3. Organized Information: Structuring information in a logical and organized manner is essential for understandability. Use headings, subheadings, bullet points, and numbered lists to create a clear hierarchy and make it easier for users to skim through the content and find the information they need.

Additionally, adopting a conversational tone throughout the content can make it more relatable and engaging for users. By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your web content is readable and easily understood by all users.

Guideline 3.2: Predictable - Providing Consistency and Familiarity

The second principle of understandability focuses on providing predictability to users. It is essential to create a web experience where users can anticipate the behavior of elements and navigate the site with ease. One way to achieve predictability is by following WCAG Guideline 4.1: Compatible.

  • 1. Write Valid and Clean HTML Code: Ensuring that your website's HTML code is valid and clean is crucial for predictability. Valid HTML code is more likely to be interpreted correctly by various browsers and assistive technologies. Clean code also improves the overall performance and maintainability of the website.
  • 2. Use Correct Semantic: Semantics play a vital role in creating a predictable web experience. By using appropriate HTML elements for their intended purpose, you provide clear cues to users about the content's structure and meaning. For example, using heading tags (h1, h2, etc.) correctly helps users understand the hierarchy of information on the page.

Creating a robust web experience

While understandability focuses on making web content easy to comprehend, the principle of robustness ensures that the content is compatible with a wide range of devices and technologies. By adhering to WCAG Guideline 4.1: Compatible, you can create a robust web experience for all users.

  • 1. Test Cross-Browser Compatibility: It is important to test your website across various browsers to ensure that it displays and functions correctly on different platforms. This includes both desktop and mobile browsers. This way, you can provide a consistent experience to users, regardless of the browser they use.
  • 2. Optimize for Different Devices: With the increasing use of smartphones and tablets, it is crucial to optimize your website for different screen sizes and resolutions. Responsive design techniques can help ensure that your content adapts seamlessly to various devices, providing a user-friendly experience across the board.
  • 3. Consider Assistive Technologies: To create a truly robust web experience, it is essential to consider users who rely on assistive technologies such as screen readers. Incorporating proper HTML structure, alternative text for images, and providing keyboard navigation options can greatly enhance accessibility for these users.

Conclusion: Creating an Inclusive Web Experience

Incorporating the principles of understandability and robustness into web content design and development is crucial for creating an inclusive web experience. By making content easy to understand and ensuring compatibility across devices and technologies, we can empower all users to access and interact with web content seamlessly.

To summarize, here are three actionable pieces of advice to improve the understandability and robustness of your web content:

  • 1. Use plain language, short paragraphs, and organized information to make your content readable and easily understood.
  • 2. Write valid and clean HTML code, and use correct semantic to provide predictability and familiarity to users.
  • 3. Test cross-browser compatibility, optimize for different devices, and consider assistive technologies to create a robust web experience for all users.

By implementing these practices, you can contribute to a more inclusive web environment where everyone can enjoy the benefits of accessing information and services online.

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