Accessible websites are often the first point of contact between a destination and a traveler. When key information is hard to find or impossible to navigate with assistive technology, travelers with disabilities are excluded before a trip even begins. This excerpt from the Accessibility Playbook breaks down practical, easy to implement website accessibility best practices that improve usability for everyone. Before you dive in, take this quick three question quiz to test your knowledge and see how accessible your website really is.

Accessible Website Guidance

1. Screen-reader Compatible Web Pages: Web pages must be readable by electronic “screen readers”, which are devices commonly used by the visually impaired to surf the internet.
2. Alt-tagged Images: Images must have “alt tags” (a type of metadata) which will help visually impaired users to identify the image via text or via a screen reader. Search engine optimizers will know of alt-tags as a way to optimize images for ranking high in ‘Google Images’.
3. Alt-tagged Tables: If you’re using tables on any web pages, they must also have alt-tags
   to help explain each column via text. The user’s screen reader will then read that text aloud, describing the contents of the table.
4. Automatic Scripting: Any scripted display usage of image mapping should be accompanied by textual alternatives.
5. Style Sheet Independence: Your web pages should be readable to screen readers, most of which cannot load style sheets.
6. Accessible Forms: Web forms should be usable without a mouse, and each field should be
   labeled.
7. Text Links to Plugins: If your website requires a specific plugin to work correctly, you
   should present the link to that plugin in text form.
8. Color Schemes: Your website should not contain any colors or color combinations that are either integral to the correct usage of your website, or which may confuse those with color blindness in any way pertaining to your website, products or services.
9. Keyboard-friendly Browsing: Your website shouldn’t be reliant on the usage of a mouse or touchpad. Users who wish to navigate using only keyboard keys should be able to do so.
10. Harmless Website Design: Your website should not serve images or videos that can cause
    seizures.

Conduct a Website Audit

Website audits are a necessary process to assess how well your website meets the needs of people with disabilities, conforms to Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) and complies with relevant regulations. While a website audit can be conducted by a member of your organization, it is always helpful to engage a third-party expert, like UserWay Scanner.

Accessible Landing Page Guidance

KEY ELEMENTS	DETAILS
Statement	“We are pleased to welcome visitors of all abilities. This page features a variety of accessible attractions, museums, recreational activities, and hotels to help visitors and local residents with disabilities discover what they can do in [Destination].”
Placement	Feature landing page on homepage or at top navigation bar for easy access.
Things to Do	Identify accessible attractions and experiences, and provide direct links to their accessibility pages.
Highlight Accessibility Advocates and Programs	Showcase relationships with organizations like Wheel the World, KultureCity, or Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program. If you a certified partner in sensory accessibility and inclusion, link your website directly to the KultureCity App.
Hotels & Lodging	List accessible hotels, highlight hotels with pool lifts exceeding ADA requirements, and survey hotels for detailed accessibility info. If partnering with Wheel the World, link directly to their booking page.
Suggested Itinerary	List accessible hotels, highlight hotels with pool lifts exceeding ADA requirements, and survey hotels for detailed accessibility info. If partnering with Wheel the World, link directly to their booking page.
Transportation	Build an accessible itinerary with state/provincial/national stakeholders, and include links to relevant articles and media coverage.
Medical Supplies & Services	Provide links for wheelchair/scooter rentals and medical equipment rentals.
Outdoor Spaces and Trails	Provide accessibility links for nearby parks, hiking trails, points of interest, botanical gardens, and zoos.
Sports and Performance Venues	Link to accessibility pages for college/professional stadiums, arenas, racetracks, symphonies, ballets, operas, theatres, and prominent nightclubs.
Dining & Food	List accessible-compliant and sensory-friendly restaurants.
Enhanced Engagement	Incorporate video testimonials from visitors with different disabilities.
Industry Collaboration & Drop-Down Menus	Survey industry partners to uncover accessibility features, and build a user-friendly drop-down menu for mobility, blindness/low vision, deafness/hard of hearing, and autism/neurodiversity.
Tagging & Search Optimization	Tag accessibility links by disability type, allowing users to filter and search. Locations with multiple features should appear under each relevant category.
Involve Disabled Voices	Invite individuals with disabilities to write articles, review experiences, and contribute to the landing page experience.

Best practice landing pages

There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to accessible landing pages. To get inspired, take a look at these destinations who have made great strides:

• Discover Lancaster: Discover Lancaster’s accessibility page helps travelers plan with confidence by providing specific and reliable information on features like ramps, braille signage, and service animal accommodations.
• Explore Minnesota: Explore Minnesota’s accessibility page stands out for its filterable, extensive accessibility features. This empowers users to customize searches by their unique needs, making trip planning more efficient and tailored.
• Visit Ann Arbor: Visit Ann Arbor’s page builds trust through recognized certifications and showcases inclusive experiences in the community.
• Visit Charlottesville: Visit Charlottesville’s accessibility page instills confidence in travelers with vetted information. It helps travelers plan for practical needs, such as bed and restroom dimensions, by providing verified credentials.
• Visit Denver: The Visit Denver accessibility page demonstrates a commitment to accessibility with leadership in ADA compliance and top disability access rankings.
• Visit Fort Wayne: Visit Fort Wayne’s accessibility page engages local stakeholders and promotes inclusive recreation with community-driven resources and adaptive sports highlights.
• Visit Scotland: The VisitScotland accessibility page offers comprehensive, trustworthy, and easy-to-understand resources that cater to a wide range of accessibility needs.