What Can I Do for Blind or Visually Impaired Users?

 The internet is a powerful tool — but for millions of people worldwide, it isn’t always as accessible as it should be. For those who are blind or visually impaired, a poorly designed website can be more than frustrating; it can be a complete barrier to participation.

The good news? With thoughtful design and a few key practices, you can make your website welcoming, usable, and enjoyable for people with visual impairments — and in doing so, you’ll often make it better for everyone.

In this article, we’ll explore:

1. Understanding visual impairments

2. Adding alt text to images

3. Using semantic HTML

4. Ensuring good color contrast

5. Making your site screen-reader friendly

6. Additional tips for an inclusive experience

Let’s dive in.

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1. Understanding Visual Impairments

Visual impairment is a broad term. It includes:

• Blindness — no vision at all or only light perception.

• Low vision — significant vision loss that cannot be corrected fully with glasses or contact lenses.

• Color blindness — difficulty distinguishing certain colors.

• Other visual conditions — such as cataracts, glaucoma, or macular degeneration, which can blur, distort, or dim vision.

Designing for blind and visually impaired users means thinking beyond just “seeing” — it’s about making sure your site works through multiple senses, primarily hearing and touch (via assistive devices).

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2. Add Alt Text to All Images

Why It Matters
Alt text (“alternative text”) is read aloud by screen readers, describing images to someone who can’t see them. Without it, a blind user might hear only a file name like IMG_1023.jpg, which tells them nothing.

How to Write Good Alt Text

• Be descriptive but concise:

  • Bad: “Image”

  • Good: “Golden retriever puppy playing with a red ball on the grass.”

• Describe the purpose, not every pixel:

  • If the image supports the content, explain how.

• Skip decorative images: If an image is purely decorative (like a divider line), use empty alt text (alt="") so screen readers skip it.

Example:
Imagine a blog post about baking bread with a photo of freshly baked loaves.

• Poor alt text: “Bread”

• Good alt text: “Three loaves of homemade sourdough cooling on a wooden rack.”

Pro Tip: For infographics, provide a text summary below the image so all the information is accessible.

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3. Use Semantic HTML

Why It Matters
Semantic HTML uses the right tags for the right purposes — <h1> for main headings, <h2> for subheadings, <ul> for lists, <label> for form labels, and so on. This structure helps screen readers understand and announce the content logically.

Examples of Semantic HTML in Action

• Headings: Don’t make headings by just bolding text — use proper <h1> through <h6> tags.

• Lists: Use <ul> or <ol> for lists so screen readers announce “list with X items.”

• Forms: Use <label> for every input so the field’s purpose is clear.

Non-Semantic Example (Bad):

<p><b>Contact Us</b></p>

Semantic Example (Good):

<h2>Contact Us</h2>

Why It Helps Everyone
Search engines also love semantic HTML, so it boosts SEO while making your site more accessible.

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4. Ensure Good Color Contrast

Why It Matters
Low contrast between text and background can make reading difficult for people with low vision or certain forms of color blindness — and even for sighted users in bright light.

WCAG Minimum Contrast Ratios:

• Normal text: 4.5:1

• Large text: 3:1

How to Check

• Use tools like WebAIM Contrast Checker or contrast-ratio.com.

Examples

• Poor: Light gray text on a white background.

• Good: Dark blue text on a white background.

Extra Tip: Never use color alone to convey meaning. If an error message is red, add an icon or label like “Error:” so color-blind users still understand.

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5. Make Your Site Screen-Reader Friendly

Why It Matters
Screen readers (like NVDA, JAWS, and VoiceOver) translate on-screen text into speech or Braille. If your site isn’t coded and structured well, a blind user may hear confusing or incomplete information.

Best Practices for Screen Reader Accessibility

• Logical heading order: <h1> for the page title, <h2> for main sections, <h3> for subsections, etc.

• Meaningful link text: Avoid “click here.” Instead, say “Download the annual report (PDF).”

• Skip links: Add a “Skip to main content” link so users can bypass repeated menus.

• ARIA landmarks: Use ARIA roles (like role="navigation") to help screen readers identify sections.

Example:
A news site should allow a screen reader user to jump straight to “Main Stories” without reading the entire navigation every time.

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6. Additional Tips for Inclusivity

a) Use Resizable Text

Don’t lock text sizes in pixels. Use relative units (em, %) so users can zoom in without breaking the layout.

b) Provide Audio Descriptions for Videos

If your video contains important visual details (like charts or actions), offer an audio-described version that narrates those elements.

c) Keep Layouts Simple and Predictable

Consistent navigation, clear headings, and minimal clutter help all users — especially those with low vision.

d) Avoid Auto-Playing Content

Sudden sounds can disorient screen reader users, and fast-moving visuals can be distracting for those with vision issues.

e) Test Your Site

• Try browsing with a screen reader.

• Zoom your site to 200% and check if it’s still usable.

• Run automated checks with WAVE or Lighthouse.

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Why This Matters Beyond Accessibility

When you design for blind and visually impaired users, you’re not just doing the right thing — you’re also:

• Expanding your audience to millions of potential visitors.

• Improving your SEO and search rankings.

• Creating a cleaner, more organized site that’s easier for everyone to use.

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Final Thoughts

Blind and visually impaired users shouldn’t have to fight to access your website. By:

• Adding descriptive alt text

• Using semantic HTML

• Ensuring good color contrast

• Making your site screen-reader friendly
  …you make the web a more inclusive place — and you make your site more user-friendly for everyone else, too.

Accessibility isn’t an “extra.” It’s a fundamental part of good design. And when you commit to it, you’re not just following guidelines — you’re showing that you care about every single visitor who comes to your site.