10 quick wins to make your website accessible to everyone

Accessibility isn’t just about compliance—it’s about creating an inclusive web experience for all users, regardless of their abilities. The good news is that improving accessibility doesn’t have to be a daunting task. Here are 10 simple, actionable steps you can take today to make your website more accessible.

1. Use descriptive alt text for images

Every image on your website should have meaningful alt text. This helps screen readers describe images to visually impaired users.

Quick tip: Avoid vague descriptions like “image1.jpg” and be specific, e.g., “A red sports car driving on a mountain road.”

2. Ensure sufficient color contrast

Low-contrast text is hard to read, especially for users with visual impairments. Use tools like Contrast Checker to ensure your text meets WCAG standards.

3. Add keyboard navigation support

Many users rely on keyboards to navigate websites. Ensure interactive elements like buttons, forms, and links are accessible via the Tab key.

Pro tip: Use the :focus pseudo-class to style focused elements clearly.

4. Provide clear and consistent navigation

Organize menus and navigation logically so users can easily find what they need. Use ARIA landmarks to define regions like headers, footers, and main content.

5. Use semantic HTML

Semantic elements like <header>, <main>, <section>, and <footer> help screen readers and search engines understand your site’s structure.

Example: Replace <div id="header"> with <header>.

6. Add labels to form inputs

Every input field should have a visible and programmatically connected label. Use the for attribute in <label> tags to associate them with the corresponding input.

Example:

<label for="email">Email address:</label>
<input type="email" id="email" name="email" />

7. Include descriptive links

Links should provide context about their destination. Instead of “Click here,” use “Download the accessibility guide” or “Visit our contact page.”

8. Test with screen readers

Use screen readers like NVDA, VoiceOver, or JAWS to experience your website from the perspective of visually impaired users.

9. Add ARIA roles where needed

While semantic HTML is preferred, ARIA roles can enhance accessibility for complex components like sliders or modals.

<div role="dialog" aria-labelledby="dialog-title">
  <h2 id="dialog-title">Important update</h2>
</div>

10. Provide captions for videos

Always include captions for video content. This benefits users who are deaf or hard of hearing and those watching videos in noisy environments.

Final thoughts

Accessibility is a continuous process, but these quick wins can make a big difference. By taking these steps, you not only create a better experience for users with disabilities but also improve usability for everyone.