Steps to take towards WCAG for each Maglr project
At Maglr, we strive to provide our users with the right tools and a user-friendly platform to create accessible content for all audiences. Because when it comes to creating digital content and web accessibility, it’s all about usability. Therefore, creating content that needs to comply with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) starts before users turn to the Maglr platform.
A part of the responsibility lies with the designer(s) of the publication. Because we offer users the creative freedom to design a publication in Maglr Pro without limitations, it's up to them to consider things like color contrasts and the complexity of the publication. Below we will take you through some steps when you want to create a Maglr publication that needs to comply with the WCAG.
If you want to learn more about the WCAG, please visit: https://www.w3.org/WAI/standards-guidelines/wcag/
Before you start building a publication, you need to gather or create the appropriate content assets. During this phase, it's important to think about the elements you will use in your publication, and how you are going to describe them for assistive technology. Any rich media, links and interactive content elements should have a description that will help people to understand them.
The initial design ideas are an opportunity to explore how to structure and build your publication. Its design does not need to be perfect and can be quick 'concept' sketches. But during this phase, it's important to think about things like heading types (H1, H2, etc.), color contrast, animations, group complexity (groups inside of groups) and publication format. Once the final design is complete, the user who is going to build the publication in Maglr should have a good understanding how it is structured and how each element complies with the WCAG guidelines.
Each element has its own specific accessibility options and best practices. Click here for more information about making your Maglr elements accessible.
Now that all of the steps above have been taken successfully, users can start designing and building the publication in Maglr. We recommend to directly apply all descriptions, heading types, etc. during the build. This allows you to maintain control of the publication's accessibility, and mark and complete the missing settings for your groups & elements. Have a checklist ready so you don't miss any content element or group and to keep tabs on the structure of the publication. When you are done with the build of the publication, you can continue to the check-up phase.
The final phase involves checking all Maglr content via the Accessibility Checker module in Maglr Pro. This module allows you to rearrange the order of the elements for assistive screen reading technology. In addition to this, the checker will notify you about any missing descriptions & tags.
Use Maglr’s Accessibility Checker to increase the accessibility of your Maglr content:
Create hierarchy through headings (H1, H2, etc)
Rearrange the order of elements
Add alt tags and descriptions to images, videos and other media
Add subtitles to video files uploaded to Maglr
Hide ‘decorative’ elements for assistive technology
Good preparation is half the job
A part of the responsibility lies with the designer(s) of the publication. Because we offer users the creative freedom to design a publication in Maglr Pro without limitations, it's up to them to consider things like color contrasts and the complexity of the publication. Below we will take you through some steps when you want to create a Maglr publication that needs to comply with the WCAG.
If you want to learn more about the WCAG, please visit: https://www.w3.org/WAI/standards-guidelines/wcag/
1. Gathering content
Before you start building a publication, you need to gather or create the appropriate content assets. During this phase, it's important to think about the elements you will use in your publication, and how you are going to describe them for assistive technology. Any rich media, links and interactive content elements should have a description that will help people to understand them.
2. Creating the initial and final design
The initial design ideas are an opportunity to explore how to structure and build your publication. Its design does not need to be perfect and can be quick 'concept' sketches. But during this phase, it's important to think about things like heading types (H1, H2, etc.), color contrast, animations, group complexity (groups inside of groups) and publication format. Once the final design is complete, the user who is going to build the publication in Maglr should have a good understanding how it is structured and how each element complies with the WCAG guidelines.
Each element has its own specific accessibility options and best practices. Click here for more information about making your Maglr elements accessible.
3. Building the Maglr publication
Now that all of the steps above have been taken successfully, users can start designing and building the publication in Maglr. We recommend to directly apply all descriptions, heading types, etc. during the build. This allows you to maintain control of the publication's accessibility, and mark and complete the missing settings for your groups & elements. Have a checklist ready so you don't miss any content element or group and to keep tabs on the structure of the publication. When you are done with the build of the publication, you can continue to the check-up phase.
4. Check-up phase
The final phase involves checking all Maglr content via the Accessibility Checker module in Maglr Pro. This module allows you to rearrange the order of the elements for assistive screen reading technology. In addition to this, the checker will notify you about any missing descriptions & tags.
Use Maglr’s Accessibility Checker to increase the accessibility of your Maglr content:
Create hierarchy through headings (H1, H2, etc)
Rearrange the order of elements
Add alt tags and descriptions to images, videos and other media
Add subtitles to video files uploaded to Maglr
Hide ‘decorative’ elements for assistive technology
Updated on: 08/02/2023