What Is Web Accessibility and Why Is It Important?
Why Web Accessibility Matters (And What Your Website Might Be Missing)
Imagine opening the digital doors to your business—and realizing 1 in 6 people couldn’t get through. That’s exactly what happens when your website isn’t accessible.
Web accessibility means making your site usable for everyone, including the 1.3 billion people worldwide living with disabilities. And here’s the thing: accessibility isn’t just about checking a compliance box—it’s about doing the right thing and building a better, smarter website for all your users.
Let’s break down what accessibility means, why it’s essential, and how your business can make it happen.
What Is Web Accessibility?
At its core, web accessibility is all about designing and building websites that work for people with a wide range of disabilities—visual, auditory, motor, cognitive, and beyond.
The guiding principles of accessibility follow the POUR framework:
- Perceivable: Everyone should be able to see or hear your content. Think alt text for images, video captions, and strong color contrast.
- Operable: Your site should work with just a keyboard—no mouse required.
- Understandable: Content should be easy to follow, with clear navigation and plain language.
- Robust: Your site should play nicely with assistive tech like screen readers and speech tools.
Why Your Business Should Care
✅ It’s Legally Smart
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 508 in the U.S. require digital accessibility. In 2023 alone, over 4,600 lawsuits were filed over inaccessible websites. It’s not just a legal risk—it’s a brand reputation risk too.
✅ It’s Good for Everyone
Accessible websites are easier for all users to navigate. That means better UX, lower bounce rates, and stronger engagement.
✅ It Helps You Reach More People
From aging populations to users in low-bandwidth areas, accessibility broadens your reach—and your customer base.
✅ It Boosts SEO
Search engines love well-structured, readable websites. Features like alt text, heading hierarchy, and clean code all work in your SEO favor.
How Disabilities Impact Website Use
Different disabilities affect how people interact with the web:
- Visual impairments require screen reader compatibility and strong contrast.
- Hearing impairments need captions or transcripts for audio and video.
- Motor impairments need keyboard-friendly navigation and large, clickable areas.
- Cognitive impairments benefit from simple layouts and clear language.
Accessibility means meeting all these users where they are—and not leaving anyone behind.
What Are the WCAG Guidelines?
The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) are the gold standard. They come in three levels:
- Level A: The bare minimum
- Level AA: The most commonly required standard (and what you should aim for)
- Level AAA: The highest level, covering advanced needs
The newest version, WCAG 3.0, is still evolving but will further modernize how we build for everyone—especially with mobile and new tech in mind.
Common Accessibility Issues (and How to Fix Them)
Here’s where most websites fall short—and how to do better:
- Missing alt text: Every image needs a short description.
- Keyboard-only navigation: Test your site using just the tab key.
- Low contrast: Use tools to make sure your text stands out against backgrounds.
- Poor form design: Use clear labels, group fields logically, and offer error hints.
- No captions or transcripts: Every video and audio file should have one.
Pro tip: Use automated tools like WAVE or axe for a quick scan, but always follow up with real-user testing.
Assistive Tech 101
These are some of the tools people use to navigate your site:
- Screen readers (JAWS, VoiceOver, NVDA)
- Speech recognition software
- Alternative input devices (eye-tracking, head pointers)
- Braille displays and magnifiers
If your site isn’t built to work with them, you’re locking out real people.
Accessibility by Design: What Developers Should Know
Accessibility shouldn’t be an afterthought—it should be baked into your build from day one. Here’s how:
- Use semantic HTML: Clean, logical code is easier for assistive tech to understand.
- Add ARIA labels: These help describe parts of your site to screen readers.
- Focus on keyboard controls: Every feature should be usable without a mouse.
- Think responsive: Make sure your design works on every screen size.
Mobile Accessibility: Don’t Overlook It
More than half of web traffic comes from mobile. Accessible mobile design means:
- Big, tappable buttons (at least 44px x 44px)
- Simple layouts that scale across screen sizes
- Compatibility with tools like TalkBack and VoiceOver
- No drag-and-drop-only interactions
The Future of Web Accessibility
Emerging tech like AI, VR/AR, and IoT is changing how we access the web—and accessibility must keep pace. AI can help automate captions or describe images, but we still need human judgment to ensure quality and fairness.
The future is more inclusive—but only if we build it that way.
How Kalson Media Can Help
At Kalson Media, we design and build websites that don’t just look great—they work great for everyone. We believe accessibility isn’t just a checkbox—it’s part of creating a smarter, more connected internet.
Whether you’re building a new site or updating an old one, we’ll help you navigate accessibility best practices, compliance standards, and real-world usability.
Let’s Build a Better Web—Together
If you’re not sure where your site stands, we’ll gladly run an accessibility audit and give you a game plan. Let’s build a digital experience that reflects your brand and respects all your users.
Kalson Media Services offered:
Charleston, SC – Web Design, Social Media Management, SEO, PR & Marketing, Domain Name Registration, Website Hosting
Huntsville, AL – Web Design, Social Media Management, SEO, Domain Name Registration, Website Hosting
Call us today and get a FREE audit of your website for SEO or a Social Media audit.
CHS – 843-608-4335
HSV – 256-886-4335
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