Ey up, let’s make the web truly accessible. In this digital age, having a website is a must for almost any business. But it’s not just about having a website, it needs to be easy for everyone to use, no matter their abilities. This includes people with disabilities, who make up around 20% of the population here in the UK.
Making your website accessible isn’t just the decent thing to do, it’s also good for business. Accessible websites often see better engagement, lower bounce rates, higher conversion rates, and stronger SEO foundations.
Accessibility in the UK
The UK has guidance and expectations around making websites accessible, inspired by the global Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). The core WCAG principles are:
Perceivable
Everyone should be able to perceive the information and user interface, regardless of their sensory or cognitive abilities.
Operable
The user interface and navigation should be usable by everyone, including people with motor impairments. This includes keyboard navigation and avoiding interactions that rely only on a mouse.
Understandable
Information and user interface operation should be understandable by everyone, regardless of reading level, language skills, or cognitive abilities.
Robust
Content must be robust enough to work with a wide range of user agents, including assistive technologies such as screen readers.
Getting started
If you’re scratching your head on where to begin, here are some handy resources:
- GOV.UK guidance and tools for digital accessibility
Comprehensive guidance, tools, and checklists for meeting legal requirements and best practice. - AbilityNet
A UK-based charity offering free tools, advice, and training on digital accessibility. - RNIB website accessibility tools
Helpful for identifying common accessibility issues and improving the experience for people with visual impairments. - World Wide Web Consortium (W3C)
The organisation behind WCAG, with detailed documentation and examples.
Bonus tips: quick wins for accessibility
- Alt text for images: Describe images properly for screen reader users.
- Clear, concise language: Avoid jargon and unnecessary complexity.
- Sans-serif fonts: Choose easy-to-read fonts and readable sizes.
- High contrast: Ensure clear contrast between text and background.
- Keyboard navigation: Make sure your site can be used without a mouse.
- Test with assistive technology: Use screen readers and magnifiers to validate the experience.
Final thoughts
Making your website accessible is an investment that pays off for your customers and your business. Follow UK accessibility guidance, apply the WCAG principles, and use the quick wins above to create a website that’s inclusive and welcoming to everyone.