We’re The Monkeys, and we build websites that just work. No smoke, no mirrors, just smart, efficient digital solutions. We’re talking about the kind of sites that actually help your business thrive, and that means thinking about everyone who might visit. So, let’s talk about making your site sing for screen readers.

Why Screen Reader Accessibility Isn’t Optional, It’s Smart Business

Look, we’re not into fluff. We get straight to the point: your website needs to be usable by as many people as possible. A significant portion of the internet population relies on screen readers to navigate the web. Ignoring them isn’t just a missed opportunity; it’s frankly leaving money on the table and alienating potential customers. We build digital assets, not digital roadblocks.

For us, this isn’t a “nice-to-have.” It’s baked into our Done-for-You Website-as-a-Service model. Because when we build something for you, we build it right, from the get-go. That means considering every angle, every user, from the moment we dive into the design. Our gold standard tech stack – boasting MainWP, Divi, Security Ninja, and Squirrly SEO – is designed to empower us to deliver this level of quality.

We’re right here in Oroville, CA, but our reach is global. We’re passionate about serving our local community and businesses worldwide with the same commitment to excellence. And that commitment includes making sure your website speaks clearly to everyone, including those who rely on screen readers.

The Foundation: Semantic HTML is Your Friend

This is where it all begins. Before we even think about fancy styling or complex interactions, we lay down a solid structural foundation with semantic HTML. Think of it as giving your content a clear, logical outline. Screen readers are smart, but they need us to tell them what’s what.

Understanding Native HTML Elements

Native HTML elements are like the building blocks of the web. They come with built-in meaning that assistive technologies can understand.

Structure First: Defining Content Hierarchy

Screen readers process content linearly. By using the right semantic elements, we guide them through your page in a way that makes sense.

The Power of

,

These elements aren’t just decorative. They tell the screen reader: “This is the header,” “This is the footer,” “Here’s the navigation,” and “This is the main content.” This allows users to quickly jump to the sections they need.

• 

  : Typically contains introductory content or site navigation.
• 

• 

• : Identifies the dominant content of the of a document. There should only be one

  element per page.

Delving into

,

, and

Beyond the primary page structure, we use these to break down the content itself.

• 

  : Represents a self-contained piece of content that could be distributed or reused independently, like a blog post or a news story.
• 

  : Defines a thematic grouping of content, typically with a heading. It’s a more general-purpose container for content that belongs together.
• 


By using these correctly, we’re not just writing code; we’re creating a clear map for screen readers to follow. It’s the most direct and effective way to ensure your core content is understood.

Making Images Speak: Descriptive Alt Text

Images break up text and add visual interest. But for someone who can’t see them, they can be a wall. That’s where descriptive alt text comes in.

More Than Just “An Image”

Leaving alt text blank or filling it with something generic like “image” or “picture” is a missed opportunity and frankly, unhelpful.

What Makes Alt Text “Descriptive”?

It needs to convey the purpose and content of the image.

• Informative Images: If an image conveys important information, describe that information. For example, an infographic about website loading speed would have alt text explaining the key findings of that infographic.
• Decorative Images: If an image is purely decorative and adds no informational value, we leave the alt attribute empty (alt=""). This tells the screen reader to skip it, preventing unnecessary noise.
• Functional Images (like buttons): If an image is used as a button or a link, the alt text should describe the action it performs. For example, “Search” for a magnifying glass icon that triggers a search.
• Complex Images: For very complex images like charts or graphs, a brief description in the alt text followed by a link to a more detailed description or the data itself is often the best approach.

We ensure that every image we use has meaningful alt text. It’s a small detail that makes a huge difference in usability, and our Squirrly SEO integration helps us consider this from an optimization perspective too.

Keyboard Navigation: The Unseen Control Panel

Many screen reader users don’t use a mouse. They navigate entirely with a keyboard. That means every single interactive element on your site needs to be reachable and operable via keyboard.

Tab Order: The Logical Flow

When a user tabs through your page, the order in which they land on elements is crucial. It needs to be logical and consistent with the visual flow.

• Visual vs. Tab Order: We make sure the visual order of elements on the screen matches the order in which a keyboard user will encounter them when tabbing. This prevents confusion where the user might tab to something visually in the middle of the page but land on something at the top.
• Consistent Tab Focus: The element that currently has keyboard focus should be clearly indicated visually – usually with an outline. This shows the user where they are on the page.

Interactive Elements: Buttons, Links, and More

Every button, every link, every form field must be focusable and actionable with the keyboard.

• Jumping Over Content: For sites with a lot of navigation, we often implement a “Skip to Main Content” link. This allows keyboard users to bypass repetitive navigation menus and jump directly to the primary content area of the page. It’s a simple but incredibly effective feature.
• Links that Don’t Lead Anywhere: Make sure links actually go somewhere or perform an action. Dead links are frustrating for everyone, but especially for keyboard navigators who can’t easily skip them.

Ensuring robust keyboard operability is a core part of our Divi development. We leverage its flexibility to create accessible navigation patterns.

Clarity is King: Headings and Link Text

Navigating a website with a screen reader often involves listening to headings to understand the page structure and scanning links to decide where to go. Vagueness here leads to confusion.

Headings: Your Content’s GPS

Properly structured headings (

to

) act as signposts.

• 


  for the Primary Topic: There should only be one

  per page, representing the main title or subject of the page.

• Logical Progression: Headings should follow a logical hierarchy. Don’t skip levels (e.g., going from an


  to an

  ). This can break the perceived structure.

• Descriptive Headings: Headings should clearly indicate the content that follows them. Instead of “Details,” use “Product Details” or “Shipping Information.”

Link Text: Tell Them Where They’re Going

Link text is what a screen reader user hears when they encounter a link or when they choose to list all links on a page.

• Avoid “Click Here”: Phrases like “click here,” “read more,” or “learn more” are useless out of context. Imagine a list of a dozen “click here” links – how would anyone know where each one leads?
• Be Specific: Link text should clearly state the destination or the action. Instead of “Click here for our services,” use “View Our Web Design Services.” Instead of “Read more about accessibility,” use “Read More: Designing for Screen Readers.”

Our Squirrly SEO expertise also emphasizes clear, descriptive language, which naturally aligns with accessible practices.

Multimedia and Automation: User Control is Key

Autoplaying media or random page redirects can be jarring, disorienting, and even problematic for a screen reader user. We put the user in control.

Audio and Video: Let Them Decide

• No Autoplay: Videos and audio should never autoplay. This can create a confusing cacophony of sound for screen reader users.
• User-Triggered Playback: Provide clear play/pause controls.
• Transcripts and Captions: For any significant audio or video content, provide transcripts and captions. This makes the content accessible to those who are deaf or hard of hearing, as well as those who simply prefer to read or are in a noisy environment.

Page Redirects: Handle with Care

Automatic page redirects can be extremely disruptive. If a redirect is absolutely necessary, ensure it’s clearly communicated and gives the user time to react or a way to stop it.

Our Done-for-You approach means we consider these details so you don’t have to worry about them. We build user-friendly experiences, period.

Forms: Making Interactions Easy to Understand

Forms are where many interactions happen – sign-ups, contact requests, etc. Making them accessible is paramount.

Clear Labels for Every Input

Every form input field needs a properly associated label.

• Element: Use the element and associate it with its corresponding input using the for attribute, which matches the input’s id.
• Purposeful Labels: The label should clearly state what information is required in the input field.

Grouping Related Fields

When you have related form elements (like name, address, city, state, zip), grouping them improves usability.

• 

  and

  : Use

  to group related controls and

  to provide a descriptive label for the group. For example, a

  could enclose all fields for an “Address” section, with the

  being “Your Address.”

Error Messages and Instructions

When something goes wrong with a form submission, users need to know exactly what the problem is and how to fix it.

• Specific and Helpful: Error messages should be clear and concise, explaining the exact error and how to correct it. Instead of “Invalid input,” try “Please enter a valid email address.”
• Programmatic Association: We ensure errors are programmatically associated with the relevant form fields so screen readers can announce them effectively.
• Visible and Audible: Errors should be visually highlighted (e.g., red border, error message next to the field) and announced by the screen reader.

We employ Security Ninja‘s robust form handling capabilities to ensure not only security but also accessibility.

ARIA: The Special Tools for Special Cases

While semantic HTML handles most accessibility needs, sometimes we’re dealing with custom widgets or interactive elements that don’t have native HTML counterparts. That’s where ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) comes in.

When Native HTML Isn’t Enough

ARIA provides a set of attributes that we can add to HTML to describe the role, state, and properties of UI elements, making them more accessible.

• Roles: Define the purpose of an element. For example, role="dialog" on a modal window.
• States: Describe the current condition of an element. For example, aria-expanded="true" on a collapsible section that is currently open.
• Properties: Provide additional information about an element. For example, aria-label="Close" on a close button.

Use ARIA Wisely and Sparingly

It’s critical to remember that ARIA should be a supplement, not a replacement, for native HTML semantics. Overusing ARIA or using it incorrectly can actually harm accessibility. We only leverage ARIA when absolutely necessary, and we do it carefully.

Real-World Testing: The Ultimate Validation

All the theory and good intentions in the world mean little if the site doesn’t work in practice. This is where testing with real tools and real people becomes non-negotiable.

Screen Reader Software: Our Go-To Tools

We regularly test our builds with industry-standard screen readers.

• JAWS (Job Access With Speech): A powerful screen reader widely used by visually impaired individuals.
• NVDA (NonVisual Desktop Access): A free, open-source screen reader that’s gaining popularity.
• VoiceOver: Apple’s built-in screen reader for macOS and iOS devices.

By simulating the experience of a screen reader user, we can catch issues that might be missed through other testing methods.

Usability Testing with Inclusive Cohorts

Beyond just the tech, we believe in the power of qualitative feedback.

• Involving Users: When possible, we advocate for usability testing with individuals who actively use screen readers. Their real-world feedback is invaluable for identifying nuanced problems and validating our solutions.
• Iterative Improvement: Accessibility isn’t a one-and-done task. It’s an ongoing process of refinement. Our Done-for-You model includes provisions for ongoing support and updates to ensure your site remains accessible as the web evolves.

Our entire process, from initial design within Divi to ongoing maintenance powered by MainWP, is geared towards building robust, accessible, and high-performing websites. We’re not just building websites; we’re building digital foundations that stand up to scrutiny and serve everyone. Let’s build something great, together.

Let’s Build Your Digital Jungle

FAQs

What is a screen reader?

A screen reader is a software application that is designed to assist visually impaired individuals by converting text and visual elements on a computer screen into speech or braille output.

Why is it important to design for screen readers?

Designing for screen readers is important to ensure that individuals with visual impairments have equal access to digital content and can navigate websites and applications effectively.

What are some best practices for designing for screen readers?

Some best practices for designing for screen readers include using proper HTML structure, providing alternative text for images, ensuring keyboard accessibility, and avoiding reliance on visual cues alone.

What are some common screen reader software applications?

Some common screen reader software applications include JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver (for Mac and iOS devices), and TalkBack (for Android devices).

How can I test my designs for screen reader accessibility?

You can test your designs for screen reader accessibility by using screen reader software to navigate through your website or application, ensuring that all content and functionality is accessible and understandable.