An accessibility-centered website development for Blindekuh

Lemberg Solutions, together with Digitalution, worked to provide Blindekuh with a flexible and user-friendly website that adheres to Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). Digitalution handled the communication process with the end client while our team focused on implementing the project. 

Using Drupal 10 and Layout Builder, we created an easy-to-manage website that empowers the Blindekuh team to rearrange page elements without disrupting the site's functionality or visual appeal. The website supports both German and English languages and allows the Blindekuh team to handle content separately for each version without impacting the other. We also equipped the client with the opportunity to create and manage web forms on their website independently, supporting them with detailed instructions. 

Given the client’s mission to promote inclusivity for people with sight impairments, meeting the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) was a top priority. We implemented several key features to ensure website accessibility:

• Clear page layout. The page layout is designed with distinct headings, subheadings, and content blocks. This allows users to understand the page structure and surf smoothly between elements. We also made sure that all page elements, such as links, buttons, and form fields, are accessible via keyboard navigation.
• Alt text for images. We provided alternative text for all non-text objects, such as images and videos so that users who rely on screen readers can understand the context of media content.  
• Input field labels. Our developers implemented clear labels for all form fields, specifying the type of input needed.  
• Error notifications. When users submit forms with errors or invalid inputs, they are immediately notified about the issue and guided on how to fix the mistakes.  
• Resizable text. Users can change the font size of the website's content, allowing those with low vision to read the text comfortably.
• Dark/light mode. We have added a dark/light mode to create a better color contrast for enhanced content visibility. Users can switch between the modes they like, while both versions' content remains easy to read.

Our QA expert conducted thorough manual testing with assistive technologies like MacOS VoiceOver and Microsoft Narrator to validate that users with visual impairments can seamlessly navigate the website. We verified the website’s compatibility across various browsers and devices, ensuring it remains accessible and intuitive for all users, regardless of their setup.  

Another key focus was ensuring robust website performance. To handle this task, we made all media files automatically compress and convert to the WebP format upon upload. Also, we adopted a modular approach to code management, meaning that all stylesheets and Javascript files load only on demand. Each page fetches only the necessary code to render the elements on the page, which speeds up page load times and increases website responsiveness. 

We applied Schema.org markup across the website pages to provide structured details about organization, events, news and frequently asked questions, enhancing the visibility of the content in search engine results, boosting more organic traffic and click-through rates to the web pages. 

As a result of our collaboration, Blindekuh received a highly flexible, responsive, and inclusive website with a score of 95 for performance and 96 for accessibility, providing an exceptional and inclusive user experience for everyone.