Screen readers play an important role in making websites accessible to people with visual impairments. These assistive tools convert on-screen text into speech or braille, allowing users to browse websites without relying on sight.
In today’s digital world, accessibility is no longer optional. Every website or web application should be built to serve all users, including those who depend on screen readers. If your website is difficult to navigate with assistive technology, you may be excluding potential visitors, customers, students, or clients in Kenya and beyond.
At telaHosting Kenya, we believe the internet should be inclusive and usable for everyone. In this guide, you will learn practical ways to make your website more accessible for screen reader users while improving usability, professionalism, and compliance with standards such as WCAG.
Understand How Screen Readers Work
Before making a website accessible, it helps to understand how screen readers work. A screen reader is assistive software that reads content aloud or sends it to a braille display so users can interact with websites and digital interfaces.
How Do Screen Readers Navigate Websites?
Unlike sighted users who scan a page visually, screen reader users often rely on the keyboard and structured page elements to move through content.
- Text reading: Reads content line by line, word by word, or character by character.
- Element recognition: Identifies headings, buttons, links, lists, and images.
- Keyboard navigation: Uses keys like Tab, Shift + Tab, Enter, and arrow keys.
- Quick navigation: Allows users to jump between headings, landmarks, forms, and other page elements.
Popular Screen Readers
If you want to test your website yourself, these are some of the most common screen readers:
- NVDA (Windows): Free and widely used.
- JAWS (Windows): A paid screen reader with advanced features.
- VoiceOver (Mac and iPhone): Built into Apple devices.
- TalkBack (Android): Google’s built-in screen reader.
Trying your website with one of these tools can quickly reveal whether it is truly accessible.
Designing for Screen Readers: 9 Accessibility Tips
1. Use Semantic HTML for Proper Structure
Screen readers depend heavily on a page’s HTML structure. If the structure is messy or incorrect, content may be read out of order or important sections may be skipped.
Semantic HTML means using the correct tags for the correct purpose so screen readers can interpret the page properly.
Best practices include:
- Use heading tags from
<h1>to<h6>in the correct order. - Use
<p>tags for paragraphs instead of stacking line breaks. - Use
<ul>,<ol>, and<li>for lists. - Keep content in a logical reading flow.
Example:
<h1>Our Hosting Services</h1>
<p>At telaHosting, we provide affordable and reliable hosting solutions.</p>
<h2>Why Choose Us?</h2>
<ul>
<li>Fast and secure web hosting</li>
<li>24/7 customer support</li>
<li>Affordable pricing</li>
</ul>
A clear structure helps screen readers present the content in the correct order. It also supports a cleaner layout overall, which is why good accessibility often overlaps with solid design practice. If you are improving your site structure, you may also want to read common website design mistakes to avoid.
2. Write Descriptive Alt Text for Images
Images can only be understood by screen reader users if they include proper alternative text. Alt text should briefly describe the image’s meaning or purpose.
Alt text should:
- Be clear and concise.
- Describe what matters most in the image.
- Use
alt=""for purely decorative images.
Example:
- Bad: “Picture of a website”
- Better: “telaHosting homepage showing shared hosting plans and pricing”
If your visuals play an important role in communication, pair accessibility with thoughtful visual design by also reviewing how to use stunning colors and fonts to enhance website design.
3. Make Links and Buttons Clear and Meaningful
Many screen reader users jump through links on a page. If your links say only “Click here” or “Read more,” they do not provide enough context.
Best practices:
- Use descriptive link text.
- Make button labels clear and action-focused.
- Do not rely only on color to identify links.
Example:
Bad: <a href="pricing.html">Click here</a>
Better: <a href="pricing.html">See telaHosting pricing plans</a>
Clear navigation and meaningful calls to action are also important for business results, not just accessibility. For that angle, see how to design a website that converts visitors into customers.
4. Ensure Keyboard Accessibility
Many users who rely on screen readers also rely entirely on the keyboard. If your website only works well with a mouse, it becomes difficult or impossible for them to use.
To improve keyboard accessibility:
- Make sure all links, forms, menus, and buttons can be reached with the keyboard.
- Ensure visible focus outlines are not removed.
- Avoid keyboard traps that prevent users from moving forward or backward.
How to test:
- Press Tab to move forward.
- Press Shift + Tab to move backward.
- Press Enter or Space to activate buttons and controls.
5. Use ARIA Only Where Necessary
ARIA stands for Accessible Rich Internet Applications. ARIA attributes can help screen readers understand interactive elements such as custom buttons, accordions, and modals.
Common ARIA examples:
role="navigation"role="button"aria-label="Search our site"aria-expanded="true"aria-live="polite"
Example:
<button aria-label="Subscribe to our newsletter">Subscribe</button>
Use ARIA only when native HTML does not already provide the meaning. If a normal HTML element already does the job, use that instead.
6. Provide Transcripts and Captions for Media
Videos and audio can be difficult for some users to access unless text alternatives are provided.
Why transcripts and captions matter:
- Transcripts help screen reader users access audio content.
- Captions help deaf and hard-of-hearing users.
- Text alternatives can also improve SEO.
Best practices:
- Add captions to videos.
- Provide written transcripts for podcasts and recorded audio.
- Use media players that support keyboard navigation.
Example transcript line:
“Welcome to telaHosting Kenya. We provide fast, secure, and reliable web hosting, domain registration, and website support for businesses and creators.”
7. Test Regularly for Accessibility
Even if your design looks accessible, issues can still appear during updates, redesigns, or plugin changes. That is why accessibility testing should be ongoing.
Ways to test:
- Try your website with NVDA, VoiceOver, or other screen readers.
- Navigate your site using only the keyboard.
- Run automated accessibility scans.
- Get feedback from real users where possible.
Useful free tools:
8. Do Not Rely Only on Color to Communicate Meaning
Many websites use color alone to indicate status, warnings, or interactive states. That can create problems for users with low vision or color blindness.
Better approaches include:
- Combine color with text or icons.
- Use strong contrast between text and background.
- Underline links instead of relying only on color changes.
Example:
Bad: “Your password is incorrect” shown only in red.
Better: “❌ Error: Your password is incorrect. Please try again.”
This is another area where accessibility and design quality work together. To improve the visual side without harming usability, check how to use stunning colors and fonts to enhance website design.
9. Make Forms Easy to Understand and Use
Forms are one of the most common accessibility problem areas. Screen reader users need labels, clear instructions, and understandable error messages.
Best practices for accessible forms:
- Always use visible labels.
- Use
<fieldset>and<legend>for grouped fields. - Provide text-based error messages.
- Do not rely only on placeholders inside form fields.
Example:
<label for="email">Email Address</label>
<input type="email" id="email" name="email" required aria-required="true">
<p id="error-email" aria-live="assertive">Please enter a valid email address.</p>
If your website includes enquiry forms, contact forms, or sign-up forms, a good hosting foundation also helps keep those pages fast and stable. You can view our web hosting plans in Kenya here.
Why Accessibility Matters for Modern Websites
Designing for screen readers is not just about compliance. It also improves the experience for many other users, including people with temporary impairments, older users, mobile users, and visitors with slow internet or device limitations.
An accessible website is often:
- easier to navigate
- clearer to understand
- more professional
- more search-friendly
In many cases, the same improvements that help accessibility also support better engagement and conversions. That is one reason accessibility should be treated as part of good website strategy, not as an afterthought.
Conclusion
Designing for screen readers helps create a web experience that is inclusive, usable, and professional. By applying these accessibility tips, you can make your website easier to navigate, easier to understand, and more welcoming to all users.
At telaHosting Kenya, we are committed to helping businesses, schools, organizations, and creators build better websites. If you need reliable web hosting in Kenya for your next website project, get started with us today.
Need help building or hosting an accessible website in Kenya? Contact telaHosting today.