Key takeaways
- Accessibility helps more people use your website, including people using assistive technology.
- Start with headings, contrast, keyboard access, labelled forms and meaningful alt text.
- Combine automated tools with manual and human testing.
- Build accessibility into publishing so it does not erode over time.
In this article
What accessible web design means
Accessible design means people with different abilities can perceive, understand, navigate and interact with your website. That includes people who are blind or have low vision, people who are deaf or hard of hearing, people with motor or cognitive disabilities, and people using older devices or slow connections.
The international reference point is the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), published by the W3C. Good accessibility usually improves usability for everyone.
Common barriers on small-business sites
- Text with low contrast against its background.
- Images without meaningful alternative text, or text baked into images.
- Menus and pop-ups that cannot be used with a keyboard.
- Form fields without labels or with unclear error messages.
- Videos without captions.
- Headings used for styling rather than structure.
Content and visual-design improvements
- Headings: use one H1 and a logical order of H2 and H3 headings.
- Links: use descriptive link text instead of "click here".
- Contrast: check text and interface contrast against WCAG requirements.
- Images: describe meaningful images and leave decorative images with empty alt text.
- Readability: short paragraphs, plain language and clear instructions.
- Media: provide captions for video and transcripts for audio where possible.
Forms, navigation and keyboard use
- Every form field has a visible label.
- Errors explain what went wrong and how to fix it.
- All menus, buttons and controls work with a keyboard.
- Focus is clearly visible as users tab through the page.
- Pop-ups can be closed easily and return focus sensibly.
Testing tools and human review
Automated tools catch many issues quickly, such as missing alt text or contrast failures, but they cannot judge everything. Combine them with:
- Manual keyboard testing of key journeys.
- Screen reader checks of important pages.
- Zoom and text resizing tests.
- Feedback from people who use assistive technology, where possible.
A heuristic evaluation can include accessibility observations, and a dedicated assessment provides deeper coverage.
Building accessibility into ongoing publishing
Accessibility often slips after launch as new content is added. Protect it by:
- Training editors on headings, links and alt text.
- Building accessible templates and components.
- Checking new landing pages and campaigns before publishing.
- Reviewing the site periodically.
Our UX / UI design and website design services include accessibility considerations from the start. Contact us for a review.
Frequently asked questions
Is website accessibility a legal requirement in Australia?
Australian disability discrimination law applies to the provision of goods and services, including online. Obligations depend on your circumstances, so seek legal advice if you need certainty. This article is general information, not legal advice.
Which standard should we aim for?
The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) are the widely recognised standard. Many organisations aim for WCAG 2.2 Level AA.
Are accessibility overlay tools enough?
Overlay widgets do not fix underlying problems in code and content. Accessible design and development are more reliable.
Can you review our website for accessibility?
Yes. We can include accessibility checks in a UX review or scope a dedicated accessibility assessment.
Related services
Melbourne Design Studio is a design and development studio in Truganina, Melbourne, with more than 20 years of design and user experience work. Our team plans, designs and builds websites, apps, brands and campaigns, and writes these guides to help business owners make informed decisions.
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