Web Accessibility: Making Your Site Usable for Everyone
Why accessibility matters and practical steps to make your website inclusive without compromising design.
Mia Zhang
Feb 28, 2026 · Design Lead
Accessibility is Not Optional
Over 1 billion people worldwide live with some form of disability. Web accessibility ensures that everyone, regardless of ability, can use your website. Beyond the ethical imperative, accessible websites have better SEO, reach wider audiences, and are legally required in many jurisdictions.
Practical Accessibility Checklist
Implement these across your website:
- Use semantic HTML elements (nav, main, article, section)
- Add descriptive alt text to all images
- Ensure 4.5:1 color contrast for text
- Make all interactive elements keyboard accessible
- Add proper heading hierarchy (H1 through H6)
- Include visible focus indicators for keyboard navigation
- Provide captions for video content
- Use ARIA labels where semantic HTML is insufficient
💡 Tip
Tip: Test your site with a screen reader like NVDA (free) or VoiceOver (built into macOS) to experience it as a visually impaired user would.
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