Today, I’m exploring an exciting tool that helps improve website accessibility on WordPress. The tool is a plugin from Equalize Digital, and it’s available for free.
This plugin will help pinpoint accessibility errors and warnings on your site. By adding it to your WordPress, you can begin enhancing accessibility, ensuring everyone can use your site with ease.
Once installed, I found it easy to navigate through the settings and begin checking individual pages for issues.
Even though the free version requires you to review each page separately, it’s a good start towards a more accessible site.
As you work through errors like missing alt text or incorrect headings, you’ll see immediate improvements. If you ever decide to upgrade to the pro version, you can enjoy full site scans and more features. For now, though, the free version provides a solid foundation for improving accessibility.
Key Takeaways
- Install the free plugin to locate accessibility issues.
- Address each identified error to enhance site accessibility.
- Consider upgrading for comprehensive site scans and additional features.
WordPress Accessibility Basics
Adding accessibility features to WordPress websites can make them more user-friendly for everyone. There is a free plugin designed to assist with this process. It’s called the Accessibility Checker from Equalize Digital.
First, I log in to my WordPress dashboard and find it under the plugins section. By searching for “Equalize Digital,” I find the plugin to install and activate.
Once the plugin is running, it allows me to scan posts and pages for accessibility problems. I can view errors and warnings directly within the editing screen. For instance, it might alert me if an image lacks descriptive alt text or if headings are used incorrectly.
A handy feature of this tool is the small icon that appears on the lower right of a page when viewed from the front end. Clicking on it shows a report of identified issues, making it easy to pinpoint exactly where to make improvements.
There’s also an option to enhance the process by linking to an accessibility statement in the footer of my site.
Although the free version offers extensive support, upgrading to the pro version enables a site-wide scan, which can be more efficient if I’m dealing with custom post types or larger websites.
Presenting the Equalise Digital Tool
Advantages of the Premium Edition
The premium version of the Equalise Digital tool offers several perks for users looking to enhance their website management. One major benefit is the ability to perform a complete site scan at once. This feature is quite handy, especially for those managing custom post types.
Another advantage is an updated list of errors and warnings. You can easily track changes and improvements as you adjust your website settings.
Furthermore, the ability to access an extensive report helps fine-tune the site’s accessibility.
Key Features Included in Pro Version:
- Full website scans
- Detailed error and warning reports
- Enhanced custom post type support
Using these tools, I can more effectively address accessibility issues and improve the overall user experience on my website. This level of insight and control can significantly benefit website administrators aiming for thorough and efficient content management.
Adding the Free Extension
Exploring the WordPress Control Panel
To begin, I log into my WordPress site and head straight to the dashboard. From there, I select Plugins and then choose Add New.
Next, I type “Equalize Digital” into the search bar. Among the options, I find an extension labelled “accessibility checker”, which is the tool I need. I hit Install Now and then Activate.
Turning on the Accessibility Inspector
Once activated, the extension appears on the left side of the dashboard under “accessibility checker”. Clicking on it opens up the settings.
I make sure everything is on default for posts and pages. If I’m interested in custom post types, I consider looking into the pro version.
I hit Save Changes and proceed to a page or post. By clicking Update, I start the inspection for accessibility issues. Now, I can view errors and warnings directly on the page or in a detailed report.
Adjusting Plugin Controls
After installing the plugin, it’s important to tweak the settings to suit your needs. Once on the dashboard, find the Accessibility Checker on the left.
Clicking on it will take you to the settings area. You can choose to scan posts and pages in the free version. For those who work with custom post types, you might consider upgrading to access a wider scan capability.
In the settings, you have a few options. Whether you prefer summaries before or after content can be set here, as can the option to add an accessibility statement in the footer.
If you already have a statement, just link to it using your URL. For now, I keep everything to the default setup and save my changes.
For users of the pro version, there’s the perk of scanning the whole site at once. With the free version, the audit needs to be done on each page manually.
For instance, when I’m on a homepage, I first click “Edit” and then hit “Update” to launch the audit process for that specific page. Just below the content, the audit findings become visible, showing the number of errors and warnings spotted.
For further insight, switch to viewing the website. A small icon on the bottom right provides access to the same audit results.
As you scroll, icons hover over sections with issues. Clicking these icons reveals detailed descriptions of errors, such as missing alt text or inappropriate headings, along with guidance on resolving them.
Making changes, like updating alt tags, can be done in the media library or directly on a page. After modifications, hitting “Update” allows the plugin to rescan and reflect the latest results. Seeing improvements, like a reduction in errors, offers real-time feedback as you enhance your site’s accessibility.
Performing an Accessibility Review
Comprehending Audit Insights
I recently explored a free tool that helps in pinpointing accessibility issues on WordPress sites. This tool provides a report highlighting accessibility errors and warnings, which is invaluable for anyone seeking to improve their website’s accessibility.
By reviewing detailed information about each issue, I gain a clearer understanding of what needs to be addressed. The tool also provides guidance on solving these issues, often with straightforward solutions.
I find it very engaging to see immediate results after making changes, as it encourages me to continue refining my website.
Checking Each Page Separately
Using the free version of the tool, I check each page and post one by one. After installing the plugin on my WordPress dashboard, I edit a page and click ‘update’. This action starts the audit for that individual page.
I can view the results at the bottom of the editing screen, which shows errors and warnings. When needed, I also check the front end of the website, where a handy icon displays the same issues.
There’s an option to address each issue directly on the page, like fixing an image missing alt text. This provides flexibility in resolving problems through the media library or directly on the page.
Once changes are made, clicking ‘update’ allows for a fresh scan, showing any new or remaining issues. Through this repetitive process, I gradually enhance the accessibility of the site.
Enhancing Page Accessibility
Updating Image Descriptions
When improving website accessibility, it’s important to focus on adding correct image descriptions.
To do this, I look for any images on a page that might be missing their descriptions. The Equalize Digital plugin highlights these gaps, showing where descriptions, also known as “alt text,” are needed.
I make sure each image has a clear description that tells users what’s in the image, like “person wearing a yellow coat in winter.”
Inserting these descriptions can be done in two places: directly in the media library or while editing the page itself. This depends on the website theme I’m using. Either way, the plugin helps me keep track of this task, making sure images are accessible to everyone.
Enhancing Text Clarity
Another crucial aspect is making sure the page content is easy to read for everyone.
The readability tab on the accessibility checker offers insights into the text’s reading level. I often adjust text size, contrast, and colour to ensure clarity and proper visibility.
For instance, if my link text is too light against a white background, the plugin suggests changes to improve the contrast, making the text easier to see.
This tool also lets me quickly identify large sections of text that might need breaking down into smaller paragraphs or adding subheadings. In the end, these adjustments help create a smoother reading experience for visitors with different reading abilities.
Evaluating Website Accessibility
Spotting and Fixing Problems
I found a handy tool that spots issues on WordPress sites. It’s called Equalize Digital’s plugin.
Once installed, it scans the pages or posts and finds errors that make the site less accessible. This free version allows me to scan each page or post and gives me details about any problems.
For example, missing alt text or incorrect headings are highlighted. I can click on icons to see more detailed explanations about these issues.
As I sort out these errors, I continuously update the page to check the results again.
Improving Visual Components
One thing I discovered was that the colour contrast on links was insufficient. This issue was easy to fix by tweaking the colour palette.
For instance, changing the link text colour to a darker shade against a white background improves visibility. Adding an underline to links makes it clearer that they’re clickable.
Being aware of these visual aspects can greatly enhance the accessibility of the site.
Automated scans can also be set up to keep checking for errors, making it easier to tackle problems promptly.
Benefits of Upgrading to Pro Version
Upgrading to the Pro version of the accessibility checker plugin provides several enhanced features.
One major benefit is the ability to perform a comprehensive scan of your entire website at once, as opposed to reviewing each page and post individually. This saves time and ensures that no parts of the website are overlooked.
The Pro version also supports custom post types.
This is crucial for those who utilise custom content types in WordPress, providing a more thorough and customised audit of accessibility issues.
Additionally, an open issues log is available, offering a straightforward overview of existing problems and their statuses.
Another advantage is the option to set up automated scans.
With this feature, I can run regular checks to keep track of issues without manual intervention. It helps in staying proactive as new content is added or existing content is updated.
Moreover, the Pro version includes a feature for fast-tracking fixes.
This makes it easier to identify where specific errors occur on the site, allowing for quicker resolutions. The tool even suggests visual improvements like adjusting contrast for better visibilities on links, which is vital for accessibility compliance.