Performance and accessibility are two fundamental aspects that are often considered separately, yet they are closely connected. Improving performance not only benefits all users but also facilitates access for people with disabilities.

In this chapter, we will explore how performance impacts accessibility and the best practices to optimize both aspects.

Why Performance Affects Accessibility?

A fast and optimized website:

• Reduces technical barriers: Pages that load quickly are more accessible to older devices or slow connections.
• Enhances the experience for users with disabilities: Fast loading times are crucial for screen readers and other assistive technologies.
• Increases clarity and readability: Fewer distractions, such as unnecessary animations, help users with cognitive disabilities.

Key Practices to Improve Performance and Accessibility

Image Optimization

Images should be optimized to load quickly without losing quality and should include alternative text to be accessible.

Example of an optimized image:

html

Efficient Resource Usage

Reducing the size and number of resources, such as CSS and JavaScript, improves load time.

Example of deferred JavaScript loading:

html

Content Structure Improvement

A clear and hierarchical design improves both performance and accessibility. Use semantic headers and divide content into logical sections.

Example of clear structure:

html

Minimization of Animation Usage

Excessive animations can distract or even cause discomfort to some users. Minimize their use and provide an option to disable them.

Example of respectful animations:

css

Performance and Accessibility Testing

Use tools that evaluate both performance and accessibility:

• Lighthouse: Provides accessibility and performance reports.
• WebPageTest: Analyzes load times and performance.
• PageSpeed Insights: Offers recommendations for optimizing performance.

Balance Between Design and Performance

An attractive design should not sacrifice performance. Prioritize:

1. Main content over decorations.
2. Accessible and easy-to-read fonts.
3. Efficient navigation over unnecessary visual effects.

Conclusion

Performance and accessibility are not mutually exclusive. By optimizing your websites to be fast and efficient, you're also ensuring they are accessible to a wider audience. In the next chapter, we will explore how to integrate accessibility into the development workflow. Keep learning!