# Creating Accessible Webpages ![All About Accessibility](../../sketchnotes/webdev101-a11y.png) > Sketchnote by [Tomomi Imura](https://twitter.com/girlie_mac) ## Pre-Lecture Quiz [Pre-lecture quiz](https://ashy-river-0debb7803.1.azurestaticapps.net/quiz/5) > The power of the Web is in its universality. Access by everyone regardless of disability is an essential aspect. > > \- Sir Timothy Berners-Lee, W3C Director and inventor of the World Wide Web This quote perfectly highlights the importance of creating accessible websites. An application that can't be accessed by all is by definition exclusionary. As web developers we should always have accessibility in mind. By having this focus from the beginning you will be well on your way to ensure everyone can access the pages you create. In this lesson, you'll learn about the tools that can help you ensure that your web assets are accessible and how to build with accessibility in mind. > You can take this lesson on [Microsoft Learn](https://docs.microsoft.com/learn/modules/web-development-101/accessibility/?WT.mc_id=academic-77807-sagibbon)! ## Tools to use ### Screen readers One of the best-known accessibility tools are screen readers. [Screen readers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Screen_reader) are commonly used clients for those with vision impairments. As we spend time ensuring a browser properly conveys the information we wish to share, we must also ensure a screen reader does the same. At its most basic, a screen reader will read a page from top to bottom audibly. If your page is all text, the reader will convey the information in a similar fashion to a browser. Of course, web pages are rarely purely text; they will contain links, graphics, color, and other visual components. Care must be taken to ensure that this information is read correctly by a screen reader. Every web developer should familiarize themselves with a screen reader. As highlighted above, it's the client your users will utilize. Much in the same way you're familiar with how a browser operates, you should learn how a screen reader operates. Fortunately, screen readers are built into most operating systems. Some browsers also have built-in tools and extensions that can read text aloud or even provide some basic navigational features, such as [these accessibility-focused Edge browser tools](https://support.microsoft.com/help/4000734/microsoft-edge-accessibility-features). These are also important accessibility tools, but function very differently from screen readers and they should not be mistaken for screen reader testing tools. ✅ Try a screen reader and browser text reader. On Windows [Narrator](https://support.microsoft.com/windows/complete-guide-to-narrator-e4397a0d-ef4f-b386-d8ae-c172f109bdb1/?WT.mc_id=academic-77807-sagibbon) is included by default, and [JAWS](https://webaim.org/articles/jaws/) and [NVDA](https://www.nvaccess.org/about-nvda/) can also be installed. On macOS and iOS, [VoiceOver](https://support.apple.com/guide/voiceover/welcome/10) is installed by default. ### Zoom Another tool commonly used by people with vision impairments is zooming. The most basic type of zooming is static zoom, controlled through `Control + plus sign (+)` or by decreasing screen resolution. This type of zoom causes the entire page to resize, so using [responsive design](https://developer.mozilla.org/docs/Learn/CSS/CSS_layout/Responsive_Design) is important to provide a good user experience at increased zoom levels. Another type of zoom relies on specialized software to magnify one area of the screen and pan, much like using a real magnifying glass. On Windows, [Magnifier](https://support.microsoft.com/windows/use-magnifier-to-make-things-on-the-screen-easier-to-see-414948ba-8b1c-d3bd-8615-0e5e32204198) is built in, and [ZoomText](https://www.freedomscientific.com/training/zoomtext/getting-started/) is a third-party magnification software with more features and a larger user base. Both macOS and iOS have a built-in magnification software called [Zoom](https://www.apple.com/accessibility/mac/vision/). ### Contrast checkers Colors on web sites need to be carefully chosen to answer the needs of color-blind users or people who have difficulty seeing low-contrast colors. ✅ Test a web site you enjoy using for color usage with a browser extension such as [WCAG's color checker](https://microsoftedge.microsoft.com/addons/detail/wcag-color-contrast-check/idahaggnlnekelhgplklhfpchbfdmkjp?hl=en-US&WT.mc_id=academic-77807-sagibbon). What do you learn? ### Lighthouse In the developer tool area of your browser, you'll find the Lighthouse tool. This tool is important to get a first view of the accessibility (as well as other analysis) of a web site. While it's important not to rely exclusively on Lighthouse, a 100% score is very helpful as a baseline. ✅ Find Lighthouse in your browser's developer tool panel and run an analysis on any site. what do you discover? ## Designing for accessibility Accessibility is a relatively large topic. To help you out, there are numerous resources available. - [Accessible U - University of Minnesota](https://accessibility.umn.edu/your-role/web-developers) While we won't be able to cover every aspect of creating accessible sites, below are some of the core tenets you will want to implement. Designing an accessible page from the start is **always** easier than going back to an existing page to make it accessible. ## Good display principles ### Color safe palettes People see the world in different ways, and this includes colors. When selecting a color scheme for your site, you should ensure it's accessible to all. One great [tool for generating color palettes is Color Safe](http://colorsafe.co/). ✅ Identify a web site that is very problematic in its use of color. Why? ### Use the correct HTML With CSS and JavaScript it's possible to make any element look like any type of control. `` could be used to create a `