How to Improve Your Divi Website Accessibility

by | Jul 24, 2024 | Blogging, Tips & Tricks, Tutorials | 0 comments

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Making your Divi website accessible to everyone is crucial for reaching a wider audience and providing a better user experience. Accessibility involves making your site easy to use for people with various disabilities, such as visual, hearing, and mobility impairments. By incorporating accessibility features into your Divi-built website, you not only create a more inclusive environment but also boost your site’s search engine ranking.

In this blog post, we will cover key steps to improve the accessibility of your Divi website. We will discuss practices such as clear link names, ensuring proper color contrast, enabling keyboard navigation, and implementing ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) landmarks. These strategies will ensure that all users can navigate your website with ease. Let’s dive into the essential techniques for enhancing the accessibility of your Divi website.

Steps to Improve Accessibility on the DIVI Website

To enhance accessibility on your DIVI website, consider implementing the following critical steps for improvement.

Adding Meaningful Names to Links (Anchor Text)

Creating descriptive link names is crucial for accessibility, aiding users in understanding the destination and purpose of the link. This practice ensures inclusivity, benefiting individuals with visual impairments who rely on screen readers. Clear and informative link names also help users with cognitive disabilities by providing straightforward navigation cues. For instance, instead of using vague phrases like “click here”, specify the link’s purpose with a description like “read our accessibility guide” or “view our pricing plans”. 
Additionally, meaningful link names improve search engine optimization (SEO), making your website easier to find for everyone. By providing clear and informative link names, websites become more navigable and user-friendly for all visitors, fostering an inclusive online environment.

Read More: SEO-Friendly Divi Design Techniques You Should Know

Ensuring Proper Color Contrast Ratio

Color contrast ratio is essential for website accessibility, especially for users with color blindness or other vision impairments. A high contrast between the text (foreground) and the background makes content more readable and easier to perceive.

To check and adjust the contrast ratio, you can use various online tools, like the Deque University color contrast analyzer, which helps ensure your Divi website meets accessibility standards. These tools provide instant feedback on whether your color choices offer adequate contrast. 

Pro-tip

  • If you encounter a problem with the contrast ratio after designing your site, avoid changing the color of each element individually.
  • Instead, use DIVI’s ‘Find and Replace’ feature, which allows you to change the color of all elements at once.
Color contrast ratio is essential for website accessibility, especially for users with color blindness or other vision impairments.

Color Contrast Analyzer

Enhancing Zoom and Scaling Features for Your Divi Website

Zooming and scaling are crucial for users with vision impairments who rely on magnifying content to access various parts of a website. Unfortunately, zooming is disabled by default in Divi, which can create barriers for these users. To address this issue, you can modify the ‘functions.php’ file of your Divi website to enable zooming functionality.

To implement this change, you’ll need to access your WordPress theme’s ‘functions.php’ file and add specific code that allows users to zoom in and out without restrictions. This adjustment ensures that users can better interact with your site by enlarging text and images as needed. Additionally, it enhances overall usability for individuals with low vision and supports compliance with web accessibility standards.

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to modify the ‘functions.php’ file to enable zooming:

  • Access the ‘functions.php’ file: Log in to your WordPress dashboard, navigate to Appearance > Theme Editor, and select the ‘functions.php’ file from the list of theme files.
  • Add the necessary code: Insert the following code snippet into the ‘functions.php’ file:
add_action('wp_enqueue_scripts', 'enable_zooming');
function enable_zooming() {
    echo '<style>
            html {
                zoom: 1;
                -webkit-transform: scale(1);
                -moz-transform: scale(1);
                -ms-transform: scale(1);
                transform: scale(1);
            }
          </style>';
}

  • Save your changes: Click the “Update File” button to save the modifications.
  • Test zoom functionality: After applying the changes, test your website by zooming in and out to ensure that all elements are properly adjusted and accessible.
To implement the zooming and scaling feature, you’ll need to access your WordPress theme's ‘functions.php’ file and add specific code that allows users to zoom in and out without restrictions.

Adding PHP Code

Read More: How To Add PHP Code To The Divi Website?

Enabling zooming not only supports users with visual impairments but also enhances the overall flexibility and accessibility of your site.

Using Alt Text for Images

Alt text is key to making your images accessible for everyone, particularly those who use screen readers. It is a simple text description that tells users what the image is about. This is especially helpful for people who can’t see the image, as it follows them to understand its content through a description.

When writing alt text, be specific and clear. Instead of saying “image” or “photo”, describe what’s actually in the picture. Below is an example that shows how we write the alt text for an image:

Alt text is key to making your images accessible for everyone, particularly those who use screen readers.

Example of Alt Text

Pro-tip: In the case of purely decorative images, keep the alt text empty so that the screen reader ignores it. This helps in the smooth reading for users using screen readers.

Use Clear and Organized Heading Structure

Having a clear and organized heading structure is key to making your website accessible and easy to use. Using headings in the right order, without skipping levels, helps create a logical and readable layout. Start with ‘<h1>’ for the main title, then use ‘<h2>’ for major sections, ‘<h3>’ for subsections, and so on. This approach helps users understand the flow of content and find what they’re looking for more easily. 

Having a clear and organized heading structure is key to making your website accessible and easy to use.

Heading Structure

Improving Accessibility with ARIA Landmarks and Labels

ARIA (Accessibility Rich Internet Applications) landmarks and labels are essential tools for improving the accessibility of your Divi website. These features provide additional information to assistive technologies, making it easier for users with disabilities to navigate your site. ARIA landmarks help users quickly locate important sections, such as the main content area, navigation menus, and the footer, by clearly defining these regions. This allows screen readers and other assistive tools to guide users efficiently through your site. 

In addition, ARIA labels offer descriptive names for interactive elements like buttons and forms. Instead of using generic labels such as “Submit”, ARIA labels can provide more specific descriptions, such as “Submit Contact Form”, making it clear what each element does. This extra detail helps users who rely on assistive technologies to understand and interact with your site more effectively. 

Optimizing Your Divi Website for Keyboard Navigation

Keyboard navigation is essential for users who cannot use a mouse due to disabilities or personal preferences. Keyboard navigation allows users to interact with your website through tab keys, arrow keys, and enter keys.

To make sure your Divi website is accessible, test all interactive elements like links, buttons, forms, and menus, using only a keyboard.  Add clear focus indicators, such as visible outlines or color changes, so users can easily see which element is currently selected. It is also important to maintain a logical tab order that follows the natural flow of your page, allowing users to move through content in a meaningful sequence.

By making these adjustments, you will create a more inclusive experience for users who rely on keyboard navigation, improving overall usability and accessibility. 

Divi Assistant – Accessibility Plugin

To simplify the development of your Divi website and boost its accessibility, try using the Divi Assistant plugin. This handy tool not only makes it easier to enhance accessibility but also assists with custom changes and interface adjustments.

The plugin provides user-friendly options for improving your site’s accessibility, which can save you time and effort while ensuring you meet accessibility standards. It also offers real-time feedback and practical suggestions, making it easier to make informed choices about accessibility improvements. By integrating the Divi Assistant plugin, you can create a more inclusive website efficiently, enhancing the experience for all your visitors.

Read More: 23 WordPress Plugins for Divi Website in 2024

Final Words

mproving the accessibility of your Divi website is not just about compliance; it’s about inclusivity and enhancing the user experience for everyone. By implementing the strategies discussed in this blog post, you’ve taken significant steps towards making your site more accessible to users with disabilities.

Remember, clear and descriptive link names, proper color contrast ratios, and enabling keyboard navigation are fundamental aspects of accessibility. Integrating ARIA landmarks and labels further enhances usability for users of assistive technologies, ensuring they can navigate your site effectively.

Additionally, don’t overlook the importance of alt text for images and ensuring your website supports zooming and scaling features, which are critical for users with visual impairments.

Testing your website against accessibility standards such as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) will help you identify areas for improvement. Tools like the Divi Assistant plugin can streamline this process, providing real-time feedback and practical suggestions for enhancing accessibility.

By prioritizing accessibility, you not only create a more inclusive online environment but also improve your site’s search engine visibility and overall usability. Embracing these practices not only benefits users with disabilities but enhances the experience for all visitors, reinforcing your commitment to accessibility and user-centric design.

Start making these changes today to ensure your Divi website is accessible to everyone, regardless of their abilities or disabilities. Together, we can build a web that is truly for all.

FAQs

How can I make sure my Divi website is accessible?

You can ensure accessibility on your Divi website by checking alternative text for images, ensuring keyboard navigation, maintaining color contrast, and testing with accessibility tools for in depth insight.

Are there any built-in accessibility features in Divi?

Divi, developed by Elegant Themes, comes with some built-in accessibility features such as keyboard navigation support, responsive design options, and the ability to add alternative text to images. However, ensuring full accessibility may require additional customization and adherence to best practices.

What are some common accessibility issues in Divi websites?

Common accessibility issues in Divi websites include lack of proper heading structure, insufficient color contrast, inaccessible forms, missing alternative text for images, and non-responsive design elements.

Is it possible to create accessible forms in Divi?

Yes, you can create accessible forms in Divi by ensuring proper labeling for form fields, providing clear instructions, using error messages that are perceivable by screen readers, and implementing ARIA attributes for form validation.

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