When web accessibility comes up, the conversation usually stops at colour contrast between text and background. That matters, but it's only a small part of what makes a website genuinely accessible to people with different abilities.
Keyboard navigation
Many people don't use a mouse: they navigate with a keyboard, whether due to a motor disability or by preference. An accessible website lets you move through all its interactive elements with the Tab key, in a logical order, and always clearly showing which element has focus at any given moment.
Screen readers
People with visual impairments navigate using software that reads the page's content aloud. For this to work well, every image needs alternative text, every button needs a clear label describing what it does, and the heading structure must genuinely reflect the content's hierarchy, not just its visual appearance.
Accessible forms
Every form field needs a properly associated label (not just a placeholder that disappears when typing), and error messages must clearly identify which field failed and why, so that both a sighted person and someone using a screen reader can fix it without confusion.
Motion and animations
Some people experience dizziness or discomfort from excessive animation and motion. Respecting the operating system's "reduced motion" preference (prefers-reduced-motion), disabling or toning down animations for anyone who's set that on their device, is a part of accessibility that's almost never accounted for.
Why it's worth it, beyond the legal angle
Since June 2025 accessibility has been legally required for certain businesses in the EU, but even where it isn't, an accessible website tends to also be a clearer, easier-to-use website for everyone, not just people with a specific disability.
Frequently asked questions
How can I check if my website is accessible?
Free tools like Lighthouse (built into Chrome) or WAVE do a first automated check. For a full assessment, it's worth combining them with manual keyboard-navigation and screen-reader testing.
Does accessibility affect the website's visual design?
It may require specific adjustments (more contrast, slightly larger text) but in most cases an attractive and accessible design can be achieved at the same time, without having to choose between the two.
Is it worth it if my business isn't legally required to?
Yes: beyond the legal argument, it makes your website usable for a share of the population that would otherwise leave, and it usually improves the overall experience for all users, not just those with a disability.