More than 1.3 billion people or about 16% of the global population, live with some form of disability. Yet countless websites and digital tools still exclude these users through poor web design, inaccessibility, or lack of awareness. Digital accessibility isn’t just about compliance, it’s about basic inclusion, better usability, and doing the right thing – and you want to make sure your business is at the forefront of this!
Inaccessible design is like a building with no ramps or lifts. If someone can’t get through the front door, it doesn’t matter how great the content is inside. Inclusivity is not just essential for your brand, but it’s an important aspect of SEO. Learn more about digital accessibility.
What is digital accessibility?
Digital accessibility means designing digital content, such as websites, apps, documents, platforms, so that people of all abilities can use them. This involves building in features and structures that account for different physical, sensory, and cognitive conditions.
It’s not a niche requirement. It’s a core part of web development, UX, and digital strategy. A truly accessible website lets everyone:
- Navigate using a keyboard or assistive device
- Understand visual content through text descriptions
- Adjust text size or contrast without losing readability
- Access all functions regardless of physical ability or environment
Who does digital accessibility include?
Digital accessibility benefits far more people than you might expect. Disabilities exist on a spectrum and can be permanent, temporary, or situational.
Permanent disabilities
These include long-term conditions like:
- Blindness or low vision: requiring screen readers or audio output
- Deafness or hearing loss: needing captions, transcripts, and visual cues
- Mobility impairments: requiring keyboard-only navigation or voice control
- Cognitive impairments: benefiting from clear layout, simple language, and consistent navigation
Temporary disabilities
Temporary impairments may include:
- A broken arm that prevents mouse use
- Eye strain or recovery from eye surgery
- Ear infections or temporary hearing loss
- Recovering from a stroke
These users may only need accommodations for days or weeks, but accessibility makes it possible.
Situational disabilities
Situational disabilities are the most overlooked, and the most common:
- Holding a baby in one arm while navigating a site with the other
- Using a phone in bright sunlight (needing high contrast)
- Watching a video in a noisy room (requiring captions)
- Multitasking or navigating under stress
Accessibility helps all users, in all contexts.
Is website accessibility a legal requirement?
Yes, definitely! Governments around the world have recognised that digital access is a civil right – it’s all about making the (online) world a more inclusive place for all.
Several countries have introduced laws requiring digital accessibility, including the ADA in the U.S., the Equality Act in the UK, the European Accessibility Act in the EU, and similar legislation in Canada and Australia. While each law varies in scope, they generally mandate that digital services be usable by people with disabilities. Most refer to or adopt the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) as the technical benchmark for compliance.
What are the consequences of non-conformance?
Failing to meet accessibility standards can have real costs.
1. Legal risks
More businesses are being sued over inaccessible websites. In the U.S. alone, there have been many federal and state accessibility lawsuits filed. In the UK, while action has not yet reached U.S. levels, industry sources warn a similar trend is emerging.
2. Loss of audience
Your website is often the first impression people have of your business. An inaccessible site alienates users. If they can’t complete tasks, they’ll leave. Accessibility boosts usability for everyone, including users on mobile, with slow connections, or older browsers.
3. Reputational damage
Exclusion erodes trust. Accessibility issues can put people off, fast, especially if a company is seen as ignoring basic inclusion. It also just kills any sense of professionalism you want to portray.
4. SEO and performance
Google favours accessible sites. Alt text, semantic HTML, and faster load times help your SEO. Accessibility isn’t just ethical, it’s strategic and performance-enhancing.
How to make a website more digitally accessible
Digital accessibility is a multi-faceted effort, involving everyone:
- Copywriters write in plain, inclusive language
- Designers build intuitive layouts with readable fonts and smart colour use
- Developers code clean, semantic structures and test functionality
- Project managers prioritize accessibility from planning to QA
Here’s a breakdown of core accessibility practices:
Use semantic HTML for structure
Structure your content with <header>, <nav>, <main>, <section>, and correct heading levels (<h1> to <h6>). Screen readers rely on this markup to navigate pages.
Ensure smooth keyboard navigation
Every meaningful image needs alt text. Describe the image’s purpose, not just its content. Decorative images can be skipped with alt=””.
Add descriptive alt text to images
All functionality, such as menus, buttons, forms, should be usable with a keyboard alone. Use visible focus indicators so users know where they are on the page.
Learn more: Image SEO Explained: Optimise Your Images For Search Engines
Choose high-contrast colour combinations
Text must be legible against backgrounds. Aim for a minimum 4.5:1 contrast ratio. Don’t rely on pale grey fonts over white or pastel backgrounds.
Make text scalable and responsive
Let users zoom without breaking the layout. Use relative units (like em or rem) instead of fixed pixels for font sizes.
Provide captions and transcripts for media
Videos should have synchronized captions. Audio content should include written transcripts. This helps not just deaf users but also non-native speakers or people in noisy environments.
Don’t rely on colour alone to convey meaning
Colourblind users may miss cues if you only use colour to show differences. Add icons, labels, or text hints.
Use ARIA roles and labels thoughtfully
ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) can help bridge HTML gaps. But don’t overuse it. Native HTML elements are usually better. Use roles, labels, and landmarks where appropriate.
Test your site with accessibility tools
Use tools like:
- WAVE (WebAIM)
- Axe DevTools (by Deque)
- NVDA or JAWS screen readers
- VoiceOver on macOS/iOS
- Keyboard-only navigation
Test manually and with users if possible.
Follow WCAG accessibility guidelines
Aim for WCAG 2.1 Level AA as a baseline. The guidelines are structured around four principles:
- Perceivable: Content must be visible or understandable in alternative formats
- Operable: Users must be able to interact with all functionality
- Understandable: Information and interface must be clear
- Robust: Content should work across technologies and assistive devices
What is digital accessibility testing?
Accessibility testing evaluates whether a site or product meets the needs of users with disabilities. It typically includes:
- Automated Testing: Catches code-level issues like missing alt attributes or heading structure problems.
- Manual Testing: Checks real-world usability. Can a screen reader user submit a form? Can someone navigate menus with just a keyboard?
- Assistive Tech Simulation: Using tools like screen readers, voice recognition, or magnifiers to test live interaction.
You should run accessibility testing during development, not just after launch.
Should I get a web designer to make my website digitally accessible?
Absolutely. Accessibility should be built into your site’s foundation, not added as an afterthought. A skilled web designer or agency understands how to:
- Design inclusive interfaces from the start
- Follow WCAG and legal standards
- Build for mobile responsiveness and different user needs
- Avoid common accessibility pitfalls
Choose Logical Digital Web Developers
At Logical Digital, accessibility is built into everything we do. Our web development team designs and builds websites that work for everyone, including people with disabilities. From SEO and responsive layouts to accessible navigation and optimal user experience, we make sure your digital presence meets the highest standards.
Ready to create a website that’s accessible, compliant, and user-friendly? Contact us today to get started.
Digital Accessibility FAQs
What is digital accessibility?
Digital accessibility means creating websites, apps and online platforms that people of all abilities can use. It ensures that users can navigate with a keyboard, understand visual content through text alternatives, adjust contrast or text size, and access all functions regardless of disability or environment.
Who benefits from digital accessibility?
Accessibility supports people with permanent conditions such as blindness, hearing loss, mobility limitations or cognitive impairments. It also helps those with temporary needs, like a broken arm or recovery from surgery, and situational challenges, such as using a phone in bright sunlight or holding a baby while browsing. In short, accessibility improves the experience for everyone.
Is website accessibility a legal requirement?
Yes. Many countries, including the UK, the EU, the U.S., Canada and Australia, have laws requiring websites to be accessible. These laws often refer to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) as the standard for compliance. Accessibility is not only best practice but also recognised as a basic civil right.
What happens if my website is not accessible?
Inaccessible websites risk legal action, the loss of potential customers, reputational damage and weaker search performance. If users cannot access or complete tasks, they will leave. Search engines also reward accessible sites, so failing to meet standards can harm both user trust and visibility.
