10 Tips to Make a Website Accessible for the Blind Community

Developers use clear semantic HTML, proper ARIA labels, and follow WCAG guidelines so screen readers can easily understand and read the content to make a website accessible for blind users.

If your site is not built for assistive technologies like screen readers or braille displays, they can’t access your content. Making your website accessible is part of good web design, better SEO, and legal compliance in many countries.

And the best part is that accessibility helps everyone. A well-structured and easy-to-navigate website improves user experience for all visitors, not just those who are blind or visually impaired.

Why Accessibility is Important Now More Than Ever?

Over 2.2 billion people around the world have some level of visual impairment (World Health Organization, 2023). That’s nearly one in four people. Yet, many websites still fail to include accessibility features.

When websites are not accessible, users who are blind can’t read menus, fill out forms, or understand images. They rely on screen readers like JAWS, NVDA, or VoiceOver, which convert text into speech or braille.

If your site is coded poorly, the screen reader can’t interpret it correctly. For example, if you upload an image without an alt text, a blind user will just hear: “image.” That tells them nothing. 

But if the alt text says, “A woman holding a red umbrella,” they will understand the image’s meaning.

How to Make a Website Accessible for the Blind?

We are going to tell you 10 much-needed tips that will help you make your website accessible for the blind and visually impaired people. 

1. Use Semantic HTML

Screen readers read your code, not your design. So, using the right HTML tags is critical.

Use <header>, <nav>, <main>, <article>, and <footer> tags properly. Avoid using <div> or <span> for everything.

For example:

<h1>Our Services</h1>

<p>We help businesses grow through SEO and digital marketing.</p>

This makes sense to both search engines and screen readers.

Semantic HTML improves SEO and NLP understanding because it gives structure and meaning to your content, just like how proper typography choices can impact visibility, and yes, font size affects SEO more than most people realize.

2. Add Alt Text for Images

Every image should have descriptive alt text. It’s not just for accessibility. It’s also good for SEO.

Example:

Instead of writing:

<img src=”team.jpg” alt=”team”>

Write:

<img src=”team.jpg” alt=”Our SearchMiners team working in the office”>

That small detail helps a blind user understand what’s shown, and Google indexes it better.

3. Ensure Keyboard Navigation

Blind users often use keyboards or braille keyboards, not a mouse. So your site must be fully operable by pressing “Tab,” “Enter,” and arrow keys.

Try this. Unplug your mouse and navigate your website only with your keyboard. If you can’t reach every button, menu, and link, fix it.

Add a clear focus indicator (like a border highlight) so users know where they are on the page.

4. Use ARIA Landmarks and Labels

ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) helps make dynamic websites readable for screen readers.

Add roles and labels like:

<button aria-label=”Submit form”>Submit</button>

This tells assistive tech what that button does.

Use ARIA carefully, though. It should support semantic HTML, not replace it.

5. Provide Text Alternatives for Audio and Video

Blind users can hear audio, but not see visual cues in videos. Always add transcripts or audio descriptions that explain what’s happening visually.

If a video shows a product demo, describe what’s being shown and displayed:

“The video shows a person using the SearchMiners SEO dashboard to analyze website traffic.”

It helps both accessibility and content discoverability, as search engines can index transcripts.

6. Use Proper Color Contrast

Even users with partial vision or color blindness struggle when text blends into the background.

Follow the WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines): text should have a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 against its background.

Tools like WebAIM Contrast Checker can test this easily.

And never rely on color alone to show meaning; for example, don’t make “errors” red without also labeling them as “Error.”

7. Design Clear Navigation

Menus should be simple, logical, and consistent across pages.

Avoid vague labels like “Click here” or “Read more.” Instead, use meaningful phrases:

• “Learn more about our SEO services”
• “Contact the SearchMiners team.”

It helps both accessibility and LSI SEO because your anchor text matches user intent.

8. Structure Content with Headings

Use headings (H1, H2, H3) in order. Don’t skip from H1 to H4.

Screen readers use these to create an outline of your page, so users can jump between sections.

• H1: How to Make a Website Accessible for the Blind
• H2: Why Accessibility Matters
• H2: Key Accessibility Techniques

It also helps Google understand topic hierarchy using NLP signals.

9. Test with Screen Readers

Test.

Free tools like NVDA (Windows) or VoiceOver (Mac) can read your site aloud.

Listen carefully: does it make sense? Are all buttons labeled? Is the reading order logical?

User testing with people who are blind is even better. Real feedback reveals what automated tools miss.

Regular testing with screen readers and accessibility tools helps you spot issues early. For deeper insights into site performance and SEO health, using a reliable Woorank alternative can also help you find accessibility gaps and technical errors.

10. Follow WCAG Guidelines

WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) is the global standard for accessibility. It has three levels: A, AA, and AAA.

Aim for at least Level AA compliance.

These guidelines cover text, audio, video, contrast, navigation, and interaction.

When you make your site accessible, you are also making it easier for search engines to understand. A clean and well-structured website helps users and ranks better.

Final Thoughts

Accessibility makes the web open for everyone and strengthens your business.

Our web development services flaunt accessibility at their core. We create websites that are screen reader–friendly and fully optimized for SEO performance. If you need help making your website accessible, optimized, and SEO-ready, visit Search Miners to get your appointment started. 

People Also Ask

1. Why should I make my website accessible for blind users?

Because everyone deserves equal access to information. It also improves SEO, user experience, and brand trust.

2. How do blind users browse websites?

They use screen readers or braille displays that convert text to speech or touch. Proper coding helps these tools read your content correctly.

3. What is the easiest way to test accessibility?

Use free screen readers like NVDA or ChromeVox, and try navigating your site with only a keyboard.

4. Does accessibility affect SEO?

Yes. Accessibility improves site structure, alt text, and content clarity; all important for search engine understanding.

5. What are WCAG standards?

They are global accessibility guidelines that define how to make websites usable for people with disabilities.