Web accessibility: why it matters and how to check your website

Inclusive Design, accessibility, A web that works | 17 June 2026

Is my website accessible? And why does that matter?

You’d be surprised how often this question comes up – and how often it’s misunderstood. Some people think web accessibility is about whether a site loads on a phone. Others confuse it with physical access like ramps, lifts, and signage. All important, but not what makes a website usable.

Digital accessibility is about whether people can actually use your website or online tools – confidently, independently, and with dignity.

Websites are complex ecosystems: content, navigation, images, forms, transactions, and third party tools all working (or occasionally misbehaving) together. Accessibility means these pieces support people with different abilities, technologies, languages, and ways of processing information. It’s not a single feature. It’s a design mindset supported by a standard.

Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)

The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) are the international standard for digital accessibility, developed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). It is an agnostic technical standard for the creation of websites and digital content. The current version is WCAG 2.2.

At its heart, web accessibility removes digital barriers so people with disability can engage fully and equally online. And when experiences are designed for accessibility, everyone benefits. Clear layouts help tired brains. Keyboard navigation supports people with injury or chronic pain. Plain language helps people with cognitive disability – and anyone reading your site at 11pm after a long day.

Accessible websites are clearer, more consistent, and easier to use. They reduce friction. They respect people’s time. And they signal something important about your organisation: inclusion is intentional, not performative.

“A common misconception is that accessible websites are boring and text heavy. In reality, two things are true.

1. Accessible websites can be aesthetically pleasing and remain entirely functional for everyone.
2. When sites are redesigned for simplicity, they often become the most widely used.”

– Natalie Collins, Manager of Inclusive Design, Consulting and Training

A classic example is the Tesco case study, where they developed a second site specifically for screen readers in 2001. With its simple design and a focus on functionality, the new site became popular with many customers, delivering a 37,000% return on investment. That’s not a typo.

Accessibility is not a widget

Ideally, accessibility is baked in from the start. But many websites rely on accessibility widgets or overlays. These don’t fix underlying issues, don’t meet WCAG, and often create new barriers. See the Overlay Factsheet for more detail.

The W3C recommends a balanced evaluation approach using:

• Automated tools to detect common errors
• Engaging experts to test against WCAG
• Usability testing with people with disability

“Usability testing with people with disability reveals issues no checklist can. Lived experience shows you what actually gets in the way and what actually works.”

– Dominique Loulie, Inclusive Design Projects Co-Ordinator

So how accessible is your website?

While comprehensive audits and disability inclusive usability testing provide the clearest picture, there are practical ways to begin:

• Run automated accessibility tools
  • Free tools can help identify common barriers and highlight where attention is needed. They’re not definitive, but they’re a useful first step.
• Check colour contrast early
  • Colour choices affect readability for many people. Contrast issues are far easier to resolve during design than after launch – especially where brand colours are involved.
• Make images meaningful (or ignorable)
  • Images should include clear alternative text so screen reader users can access the same information. Decorative images need to be correctly marked so they don’t interrupt content flow.
• Give users control over movement
  • Carousels and animations can be distracting or inaccessible. Users should always be able to pause or stop moving elements.
• Test keyboard‑only navigation
  • If you can’t use your site without a mouse, some users can’t use it at all.
• Include a ‘skip to content’ link
  • This small feature greatly improves usability for keyboard and screen reader users by reducing repetitive navigation.
• Avoid images of text
  • Real text can be resized, recoloured, and adapted to suit individual needs. Images of text remove that flexibility and create unnecessary barriers.

Why web accessibility matters

Web accessibility isn’t about ticking a compliance box. It helps you reach a broader market, increase traffic, and support search engine optimisation (SEO). More importantly, it creates online spaces where people feel respected, capable, and included.

Accessible websites reduce friction. They build trust. They make information easier to find, services easier to use, and decisions easier to act on. And they reflect something bigger: a commitment to inclusion that shows up in the details, not just the statements.

Inclusive digital experiences don’t happen by accident. They come from listening, learning, and removing barriers. one practical step at a time.

If you’d like support assessing your website or planning your next steps, check out our Inclusive Design, Consulting and Training page or contact us directly.