Design TLC’s 2024 Accessibility Commitment: Prompting Software Developers to Make Improvements
In 2024, Design TLC has embraced accessibility as a central focus in our website development, setting a standard for inclusive digital experiences. The team at Design TLC has not only made significant strides in fixing common accessibility errors on our own websites, but we have also reached out to plugin developers to address these issues within the broader WordPress ecosystem. This proactive approach aims to ensure that more WordPress websites, not just those we design, become more accessible to all users.
Design TLC’s commitment extends beyond simply following guidelines. We are advocating for an accessible digital landscape and collaborating directly with plugin developers to offer solutions, support, and, in some cases, custom code fixes. This ongoing effort is part of our mission to help make the internet a more accessible place for everyone, regardless of abilities.
Understanding Web Accessibility: A Core Need in 2024
Accessibility has become a growing concern as more businesses, organizations, and individuals recognize the importance of providing equitable access to digital content. In the context of websites, accessibility means making sure that the design, layout, and functionality are usable by everyone, including people with disabilities.
The shift toward accessibility is not just about compliance with regulations like the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA); it's about creating a more inclusive web. For example, individuals who are visually impaired rely on screen readers, and people with motor disabilities need keyboard navigation and proper form controls. While WordPress has become one of the most popular content management systems, it is not immune to accessibility challenges. WordPress themes and plugins are often designed with functionality and aesthetics in mind, but accessibility can sometimes take a back seat. That's where Design TLC has stepped in to help fill the gaps.
Identifying Common Accessibility Issues
One of the first steps that Design TLC took in its 2024 accessibility initiative was to conduct a thorough audit of the most common accessibility errors on our own websites and those of others. Some of the most frequent issues we encountered included:
- Missing Alt Text: Alt text is essential for screen readers to describe images to visually impaired users. Many websites overlook this basic feature, leading to a frustrating user experience for those who rely on assistive technology.
- Lack of Keyboard Navigation: Websites should be navigable using a keyboard alone, without requiring a mouse. This is crucial for users with motor disabilities. Unfortunately, many plugins don’t support this feature out of the box, which limits accessibility.
- Inaccessible Forms: Forms are a common point of interaction on websites, but they are often poorly designed for accessibility. Issues such as unlabeled fields or improper focus management can hinder users relying on screen readers.
- Color Contrast Issues: Many websites use color schemes that make text difficult to read for those with visual impairments, particularly color blindness. WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) recommends a certain level of contrast between text and its background to ensure legibility.
- Non-Compliant Plugins: Some WordPress plugins—whether for forms, search functionality, or content display—introduce accessibility problems that website developers can’t always fix because they don’t have access to the plugin’s code.
Reaching Out to Plugin Developers: A Proactive Approach
As part of our accessibility focus, Design TLC discovered that while we could fix many accessibility issues on our own sites, there were limitations when it came to certain WordPress plugins. Many plugins are essential for adding functionality to websites, but the challenge arises when these plugins don’t meet accessibility standards and developers don’t offer built-in solutions.
Rather than accepting this as an immovable obstacle, we decided to engage with the plugin developers directly. We’ve taken the initiative to identify accessibility issues in various plugins and communicate them to the developers, often suggesting specific code fixes to resolve the issues. In doing so, we are acting as advocates for accessibility on behalf of our clients and the broader WordPress community.
Collaborating with WordPress Plugin Developers
One of the most significant accomplishments of Design TLC’s outreach efforts has been the positive responses from plugin developers who share the goal of making their software more accessible. In 2024, Design TLC has connected with several notable plugin developers, such as:
- Beaver Builder: This popular page builder plugin is known for its user-friendly interface, but it had some accessibility gaps that Design TLC identified. After reaching out via their support system, we were met with an enthusiastic response, and the Beaver Builder team committed to releasing an update to address these concerns.
- Ultimate Addons for Beaver Builder: An extension of Beaver Builder, Ultimate Addons also had room for improvement in terms of accessibility. We again reported these issues and offered solutions, resulting in a collaborative effort to enhance the plugin’s accessibility features.
- Ivory Search Plugin: Search functionality is a critical part of many websites, but the Ivory Search Plugin presented challenges for keyboard navigation and screen reader compatibility. Design TLC worked closely with the developers, providing actionable feedback and helping them implement changes that benefit a wide range of users.
The result of these collaborations is not only improved functionality for our clients but also a ripple effect that benefits countless other websites that use these popular plugins. This approach has expanded Design TLC’s influence, allowing us to contribute to a more accessible WordPress ecosystem as a whole.
The Broader Impact: Accessibility Beyond Design TLC
By collaborating with plugin developers and advocating for accessibility improvements, Design TLC is playing a pivotal role in shaping a more inclusive web. While we initially focused on improving the accessibility of our clients’ websites, it has been rewarding to see how our impact has reached far beyond our direct projects.
Every time a plugin is updated with accessibility improvements, it benefits thousands of websites around the world. Design TLC’s efforts are helping to ensure that more websites comply with accessibility standards, allowing people with disabilities to navigate, interact with, and enjoy the web..
This work is particularly crucial for small businesses, nonprofits, and schools—groups that may not have the resources to develop custom accessibility solutions but still want to ensure their websites are inclusive. We hope that our leadership in this area is setting an example for other web developers and organizations to follow.
Conclusion: A Commitment to an Accessible Future
Design TLC’s accessibility efforts in 2024 reflect a deep commitment to creating a more inclusive digital landscape. By identifying common accessibility issues, collaborating with plugin developers, and contributing solutions, we aim to make the web a better place for everyone. Our proactive approach demonstrates that accessibility is not a one-time fix but an ongoing effort that requires dedication, collaboration, and a genuine desire to make a difference.
As we continue to push forward with this initiative, Design TLC remains an advocate for accessibility in the WordPress community, helping to ensure that websites—whether built by us or others—are accessible to all users, regardless of their abilities.