Making your website accessible is not just a nice thing to do, it’s essential. Website accessibility ensures that everyone, including people with disabilities, can use and enjoy your website without barriers. This includes people using assistive technologies such as screen readers, braille displays, and keyboard navigation. If you’re building your first website or refreshing an existing one, accessibility should be part of your plan from the start.
In this guide, we’ll break down what accessibility means, why it matters, and how you can build accessible websites that meet legal requirements and make the web better for everyone.
Website accessibility means designing and developing your site so that all users can interact with it, including people with sensory, physical, and cognitive disabilities. This might involve using assistive tech such as screen readers, which read out web content for people with visual impairments, or alternative input tools for those who can’t use a mouse.
When your website is accessible, it works well for everyone, no matter their ability or device. It’s a core part of inclusive web design and something every website owner should understand.
Why Website Accessibility Matters
There are several key reasons why website accessibility should be a top priority:
It’s the right thing to do: Everyone deserves equal access to information and services online.
It improves your website for all users: Accessibility features like clear headings, readable fonts, and responsive design help everyone, not just those with disabilities.
It helps you meet legal requirements: In the UK and many other countries, public and commercial websites must follow accessibility regulations. Failure to comply can result in legal action.
It boosts your search engine visibility: Search engines favour accessible content. Features like semantic structure, alt text, and input labels help bots understand your site better.
It expands your audience: Around 1 in 5 people in the UK have a disability. Making your website accessible means more people can engage with your content.
How People Use the Web Differently
Not everyone navigates a website in the same way. Understanding this helps you design better experiences.
Visual impairments: People may use screen readers or braille displays. High contrast, text alternatives, and proper heading structure are essential.
Hearing impairments: For these users, video captions and transcripts are vital.
Mobility impairments: Many rely on keyboard navigation, rather than a mouse. A clear tab order and visible focus indicator help.
Cognitive or learning difficulties: Plain language, consistent layout, and reduced cognitive load make it easier for people to understand and use your content.
Accessibility Guidelines: WCAG
The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) are the global standard for accessible websites. They cover four main principles: websites should be perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust.
While you don’t need to memorise every detail, being aware of WCAG helps you follow inclusive practices. At a basic level, aim for WCAG 2.1 Level AA compliance, which covers the most important accessibility features for most users.
Tips to Improve Your Website Accessibility
You don’t need to be a developer to start creating accessible content. Here are some practical things you can do.
1. Use a Clear Semantic Structure
Organise your content using proper headings (H1, H2, H3, etc). This creates a logical flow for both users and screen readers. Every page should have one H1, with subheadings used to break up sections.
2. Add Alt Attributes to Images
Alt text, also called alt attributes, describes what an image shows. This is read aloud by screen readers and helps users who can’t see the image. Make the description meaningful, avoid using phrases like “image of…” unless necessary.
If the image is purely decorative, use a blank alt attribute (alt=””) so screen readers skip it.
3. Provide Captions and Transcripts
If your website includes videos or audio, always add captions and written transcripts. These help people with hearing impairments and can also benefit people watching with the sound off.
4. Keep Contrast Ratios High
Text must be easy to read against its background. This is especially important for users with low vision or colour blindness. Aim for a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text. Use an online contrast checker to test your colours.
5. Make Your Site Navigable by Keyboard
Some users can’t use a mouse and rely on tab navigation. Make sure all parts of your website (links, buttons, forms, menus) can be accessed using only the keyboard.
Use a clear focus indicator (a visible outline around the selected item) so people can see where they are on the page.
6. Label Your Forms Properly
Every form field should have a visible input label. This tells users what information to enter and is especially helpful for people using screen-based tools.
7. Use Descriptive Link Text
Avoid vague links like “click here”. Instead, describe where the link goes, for example, “Download our website planning checklist” or “Read more about choosing a domain name”.
8. Create a Skip to Content Link
Adding a “skip to content” link at the top of your pages lets keyboard users jump straight to the main content, without having to tab through the entire navigation menu first.
9. Keep Layouts Clean and Consistent
An inclusive layout is easy to scan, with clear sections and enough space around elements. Avoid clutter and try to reduce the cognitive load for users.
A responsive site that adjusts to different screen sizes also helps mobile users and those using assistive tech.
Assistive Technologies You Should Know About
Here are some common tools people may use to access your website:
Screen readers (like JAWS, NVDA, or VoiceOver) convert text to speech
Braille displays show text as braille characters
Screen magnifiers zoom in on specific parts of the screen
Speech input tools allow users to control their device using voice
Keyboard-only navigation is used by people who cannot use a mouse
Building your site with these users in mind improves the experience for everyone.
Example: An Accessible Home Page
Let’s say you have a home page for your small business. Here’s what accessible design might look like:
One H1 heading: “Welcome to Bloom Garden Design”
Intro paragraph with clear, simple language
Navigation that is keyboard-friendly
A “skip to content” link
Images with alt text describing what they show
Buttons that say “Book a free consultation” instead of “click here”
High-contrast colour scheme (dark green text on a white background)
Video with captions and transcript
A form with labels above each field
Focus indicator visible when you tab through links
These changes may seem small, but they make a big difference.
What Happens If You Ignore Website Accessibility?
In the UK, businesses must make “reasonable adjustments” to avoid discriminating against disabled users. If your website is not accessible, you could face:
Legal action under the Equality Act 2010
Damage to your reputation
Loss of potential customers
Following inclusive practices from the start is much easier than having to fix problems later.
Accessibility and Website Builders
Most website builders like Wix, Squarespace, and WordPress.com now offer built-in accessibility features, such as:
Accessible themes
Automatic alt text prompts
Colour contrast suggestions
ARIA labels for screen readers
However, you still need to write accessible content and check your layout. The tools help, but they don’t do everything for you.
How to Check Website Accessibility
You can check your website’s accessibility using free online tools like:
WAVE (wave.webaim.org)
Lighthouse (built into Chrome browser)
Accessibility Checker (many WordPress plugins offer this)
- Screen readers (try using VoiceOver on a Mac or NVDA on Windows)
These tools give you suggestions on how to fix problems and make your site better for all users.
Website Accessibility Is an Ongoing Practice
You do not need to fix everything at once. Start with the basics, then improve as you go. If you are using a website builder like Wix, Squarespace or WordPress.com, many of them include built-in features to help with accessibility.
Some website templates are also designed with accessibility in mind. This makes it easier to get things right from the start.
🧠 Final Thought
Accessibility is about creating a better, fairer web for everyone. When your website is easier to use, more people will stay, return and share it. That can only be good for your business.
As you prepare to launch your site, keep website accessibility in mind at every stage. It works hand in hand with good design, clear writing, and thoughtful planning. In the next article, we will look at SEO and how to give your site the best chance of being found online, even if you are not a tech expert.
