Website Accessibility: Making Your Site Usable for Everyone

When Sarah, a visually impaired entrepreneur, tries to navigate your website using screen reader software, can she actually find your contact information? When Mike, who has arthritis and struggles with precise mouse movements, visits your online store, can he complete a purchase without frustration? These aren’t hypothetical scenarios—they represent millions of potential customers who might be unable to use your website effectively.

Website accessibility isn’t just about doing the right thing (though it absolutely is that). It’s about creating a better experience for everyone while potentially expanding your customer base by up to 20% of the population. Plus, accessible websites often perform better in search engines and provide superior usability for all users, not just those with disabilities.

What Is Website Accessibility?

Website accessibility means designing and developing your site so that people with disabilities can use it effectively. This includes people with visual, auditory, motor, or cognitive impairments. But here’s the thing—accessibility improvements often benefit everyone.

Think about captions on videos. They were originally designed for people who are deaf or hard of hearing, but now millions of people use them in noisy environments, quiet offices, or when learning a new language. That’s the beauty of accessible design: it creates a better experience for everyone.

The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) provide the international standard for web accessibility. The current version, WCAG 2.1, organizes accessibility requirements around four main principles:

Perceivable: Information must be presentable in ways users can perceive (like providing text alternatives for images)

Operable: Interface components must be operable (like ensuring all functionality is available via keyboard)

Understandable: Information and UI operation must be understandable (like using clear, simple language)

Robust: Content must be robust enough to work with various assistive technologies

Common Accessibility Barriers on Websites

Before diving into solutions, let’s identify the most common accessibility problems that might be lurking on your website right now.

Images Without Alt Text

Every image on your website should have alternative text (alt text) that describes its content or function. Screen readers rely on this text to tell users what an image shows. Without it, users just hear “image” or the filename, which isn’t helpful.

Bad example: <img src="team-photo.jpg">

Good example: <img src="team-photo.jpg" alt="Five smiling team members standing in front of the Peregrine Pixels office">

Poor Color Contrast

Text that doesn’t have sufficient contrast against its background can be difficult or impossible to read for people with visual impairments. Light gray text on a white background might look modern, but it’s often unreadable.

The WCAG requires a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text. You can check your color combinations using free tools like WebAIM’s Contrast Checker.

Keyboard Navigation Issues

Many users navigate websites using only a keyboard—either by choice or necessity. If your website can’t be fully navigated using the Tab key, Enter key, and arrow keys, you’re excluding these users.

Common keyboard navigation problems include:

• Links or buttons that can’t be reached with the Tab key
• No visible focus indicators showing which element is currently selected
• Dropdown menus that close when trying to navigate to them with a keyboard
• Modal windows that trap keyboard focus

Unclear Link Text

Links that say “click here” or “read more” don’t provide context about where they lead. Screen reader users often navigate by jumping from link to link, so each link needs to make sense on its own.

Bad example: “We offer comprehensive web design services. Click here to learn more.”

Good example: “We offer comprehensive web design services. Learn more about our web design process.”

Essential Accessibility Features Every Website Needs

Now let’s look at the specific accessibility features you should implement on your website. Don’t worry—most of these are easier to implement than you might think.

Proper Heading Structure

Headings (H1, H2, H3, etc.) aren’t just for styling—they create a logical structure that screen readers use to navigate content. Think of them as a table of contents for your page.

Every page should have exactly one H1 tag (usually the main page title), followed by H2 tags for major sections, H3 tags for subsections, and so on. Don’t skip heading levels—going from H2 directly to H4 breaks the logical flow.

Descriptive Alt Text for Images

Write alt text that conveys the same information the image provides to sighted users. For decorative images that don’t add information, use empty alt text (alt="") so screen readers skip them.

For informational images: Describe what the image shows For functional images (like buttons): Describe what happens when clicked For complex images (like charts): Provide a brief description and link to a longer description

Keyboard-Friendly Navigation

Ensure every interactive element on your website can be reached and activated using only a keyboard. This includes:

• Making sure all links and buttons are focusable with the Tab key
• Providing visible focus indicators (like a blue outline around the focused element)
• Implementing logical tab order that follows the visual flow of the page
• Ensuring dropdown menus stay open when navigating with arrow keys

Form Accessibility

Forms are often the most important part of a website—they’re how customers contact you, make purchases, or sign up for services. Make sure your forms are accessible by:

• Using proper labels for every form field
• Providing clear error messages that explain how to fix problems
• Grouping related fields (like address information) with fieldsets
• Making required fields clearly marked

Video and Audio Accessibility

If your website includes videos or audio content, provide alternatives:

• Captions for all video content (not just auto-generated ones, which are often inaccurate)
• Transcripts for audio content like podcasts
• Audio descriptions for videos where visual information is important
• Controls that work with keyboards and screen readers

Testing Your Website’s Accessibility

You don’t need expensive tools or extensive technical knowledge to start testing your website’s accessibility. Here are some simple tests you can do right now:

The Keyboard Test

Unplug your mouse and try to navigate your entire website using only your keyboard. Use the Tab key to move between interactive elements, Enter to activate links and buttons, and arrow keys in dropdown menus. If you get stuck anywhere, you’ve found an accessibility problem.

The Screen Reader Test

Most computers have built-in screen readers you can use for basic testing:

• Windows: Narrator (Windows key + Ctrl + Enter)
• Mac: VoiceOver (Command + F5)
• Mobile: TalkBack (Android) or VoiceOver (iOS)

Try navigating your website with the screen reader active. It might feel awkward at first, but you’ll quickly discover how your website sounds to users who rely on these tools.

Color Contrast Testing

Use online tools like WebAIM’s Contrast Checker to verify your color combinations meet accessibility standards. Test your main text colors, button colors, and any other text on your website.

Automated Testing Tools

Several free browser extensions can scan your website for common accessibility issues:

• axe DevTools: Comprehensive accessibility testing
• WAVE: Visual feedback about accessibility issues
• Lighthouse: Google’s tool that includes accessibility auditing

Remember, automated tools only catch about 30% of accessibility issues. They’re a great starting point, but don’t replace manual testing and user feedback.

The Business Benefits of Accessible Websites

Making your website accessible isn’t just about compliance—it’s good business. Here’s why:

Expanded Customer Base

Approximately 15% of the world’s population lives with some form of disability. That’s over a billion people who might struggle to use inaccessible websites. By making your site accessible, you’re opening your business to this significant market segment.

Improved SEO Performance

Many accessibility practices align with SEO best practices:

• Alt text helps search engines understand your images
• Proper heading structure improves content organization
• Descriptive link text provides context for search engines
• Faster loading times (often a result of accessible design) improve search rankings

Better User Experience for Everyone

Accessibility improvements often benefit all users:

• Captions help in noisy environments
• Clear navigation helps everyone find information faster
• Good color contrast improves readability for everyone
• Keyboard navigation provides an alternative for power users

Reduced Legal Risk

While we’re not lawyers, it’s worth noting that web accessibility lawsuits are increasing. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) has been applied to websites, and businesses have faced legal action for inaccessible sites. Proactive accessibility improvements can help reduce this risk.

Common Accessibility Myths Debunked

Let’s address some misconceptions that might be holding you back from making your website more accessible.

Myth: Accessibility Is Expensive and Time-Consuming

Reality: While comprehensive accessibility audits can be complex, many improvements are simple and inexpensive. Adding alt text to images, improving color contrast, and ensuring keyboard navigation often require minimal time and resources.

The key is building accessibility into your process from the beginning rather than trying to retrofit it later. When accessibility is considered during initial design and development, it adds minimal cost.

Myth: Accessible Websites Look Boring

Reality: Accessible design doesn’t mean boring design. Many beautiful, award-winning websites are fully accessible. Good accessibility is invisible to most users—it’s about making sure the underlying structure supports all users while maintaining visual appeal.

Companies like Apple, Microsoft, and Google have proven that accessible design can be both functional and beautiful.

Myth: Only Disabled People Benefit from Accessibility

Reality: Accessibility improvements help everyone. Captions benefit people in quiet environments, good color contrast helps in bright sunlight, and clear navigation helps all users find information faster.

Situational disabilities also affect many people temporarily—like trying to use a website with a broken arm, in a noisy environment, or with slow internet.

Myth: Accessibility Is Only About Screen Readers

Reality: While screen reader compatibility is important, accessibility encompasses much more. It includes motor impairments (difficulty using a mouse), cognitive impairments (difficulty processing complex information), and temporary impairments (like a broken arm).

Getting Started: Your Accessibility Action Plan

Ready to make your website more accessible? Here’s a practical action plan you can start implementing today:

Immediate Actions (This Week)

1. Audit your images: Go through your website and add descriptive alt text to all images that convey information. Mark decorative images with empty alt text.

2. Check your color contrast: Use WebAIM’s Contrast Checker to test your main text and background color combinations. Adjust any that don’t meet the 4.5:1 ratio requirement.

3. Test keyboard navigation: Unplug your mouse and navigate your entire website using only your keyboard. Note any areas where you get stuck.

4. Review your form labels: Ensure every form field has a clear, descriptive label that explains what information is needed.

Short-term Improvements (This Month)

1. Fix heading structure: Review your page headings and ensure they follow a logical hierarchy (H1, then H2, then H3, etc.).

2. Improve link text: Replace generic “click here” links with descriptive text that explains where the link leads.

3. Add captions to videos: If you have video content, add accurate captions (not just auto-generated ones).

4. Install accessibility testing tools: Add browser extensions like axe DevTools or WAVE to your testing routine.

Long-term Initiatives (Next Quarter)

1. Comprehensive accessibility audit: Consider hiring professionals to conduct a thorough accessibility review of your website.

2. User testing: Include people with disabilities in your user testing process to get real feedback about your website’s usability.

3. Staff training: Ensure your team understands accessibility principles and how to implement them in ongoing work.

4. Accessibility statement: Create a page on your website that explains your commitment to accessibility and provides contact information for users who encounter problems.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to make my website WCAG 2.1 AA compliant?

While WCAG 2.1 AA is the generally accepted standard for web accessibility, legal requirements vary by location and industry. However, following WCAG guidelines is considered best practice and provides a solid foundation for accessibility. Focus on the principles rather than getting overwhelmed by technical specifications.

How much does it cost to make a website accessible?

The cost varies significantly depending on your website’s current state and complexity. Simple improvements like adding alt text and fixing color contrast might cost a few hundred dollars, while comprehensive accessibility overhauls can cost thousands. The key is starting with basic improvements and building from there.

Can I make my existing website accessible, or do I need to start over?

Most websites can be made accessible without starting from scratch. However, sites with fundamental structural problems might require significant redesign. A professional accessibility audit can help determine the best approach for your specific situation.

How do I know if my accessibility improvements are working?

Regular testing is essential. Use a combination of automated tools, manual testing (including keyboard navigation), and ideally, feedback from users with disabilities. Consider conducting periodic accessibility audits to ensure your improvements are effective.

What’s the difference between accessibility and usability?

Accessibility focuses on ensuring people with disabilities can use your website, while usability is about making your website easy and pleasant for everyone to use. They overlap significantly—many accessibility improvements also improve general usability.

Are there accessibility requirements for small businesses?

Legal requirements vary by location and industry, but accessibility is generally considered good business practice regardless of legal obligations. Many accessibility improvements are simple and inexpensive, making them worthwhile for businesses of all sizes.

Making your website accessible isn’t just about checking boxes or avoiding legal issues—it’s about creating a better experience for all your users while potentially expanding your customer base. Start with the simple improvements outlined in this guide, and gradually work toward more comprehensive accessibility features.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the technical aspects of accessibility or want to ensure your website meets current standards, consider working with professionals who specialize in accessible web design. At Peregrine Pixels, we build accessibility into every website from the ground up, ensuring your site works beautifully for everyone who visits it. Contact us to learn how we can help make your website more accessible and user-friendly.