Accessibility in Web Design: An Essential Priority

Digital accessibility is the practice of designing websites, apps and content so that everyone can use them—including people with visual, auditory, motor and cognitive disabilities. According to the World Health Organization, more than one billion people worldwide live with a disability; ignoring their needs means excluding a significant share of the population from digital resources.

To deliver accessible digital experiences, design must be perceivable, operable, understandable and robust. In practical terms, that means clear content, alternative text for images, captions on videos, full keyboard and assistive-technology navigation, plain language, intuitive interfaces and compatibility across devices and tools.

A range of resources can help teams build more inclusive products:

• WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) – the global standard for web accessibility
• Screen readers such as JAWS and NVDA, which enable blind users to navigate
• Contrast-analysis tools that ensure optimal colour legibility
• Usability testing with people who have disabilities, which yields invaluable insights for a better user experience.

Beyond ensuring equal opportunity, investing in digital accessibility brings concrete advantages:

• Wider reach – Accessible sites engage a larger audience
• Improved SEO – Google favours sites with accessible structure, boosting search rankings.
• Better user experience – Clear, well-structured design benefits everyone, not only users with disabilities.
• Legal compliance – Meeting accessibility standards helps avoid penalties in regions with specific regulations; in Europe, the European Accessibility Act takes effect on 28 June 2025.

Making the web more accessible is not merely a compliance exercise—it is a responsible choice for a fairer digital future. Investing in training, innovative tools and sustainable solutions means creating online experiences without barriers, ensuring every user can access and interact with content with ease. Every design decision matters: together we can help build a more inclusive, open digital world for all.