Website Accessibility 101: Make Your Site Usable for Everyone

Website accessibility is one of the most important — and often overlooked — parts of modern web design. An accessible website ensures that people of all abilities can use, navigate, and understand your content, regardless of how they interact with the web. For many veteran-owned businesses, accessibility is also a natural extension of service values — making sure no one is excluded from access to information or support.

Accessibility isn't just about compliance or technical checklists. It's about creating a better experience for real people — and building a site that works for everyone.

In this guide, we'll break down what website accessibility means, why it matters, and how small businesses can improve usability while supporting inclusivity and long-term growth.

What Is Website Accessibility?

Website accessibility refers to designing and building websites so they can be used by people with a wide range of abilities and assistive technologies. This includes individuals with visual, hearing, motor, or cognitive impairments — as well as people experiencing temporary or situational limitations.

Examples include:

• Screen reader users
• Keyboard-only navigation
• Voice control software
• Users with color blindness
• Mobile users with limited dexterity
• Older users with changing vision or motor control

This matters for many groups — including some veterans — who may rely on assistive technologies due to vision, hearing, or mobility limitations. At its core, an accessible website is simply easier to use. Clear navigation, readable text, properly labeled buttons, and logical page structure benefit every visitor — not just those with disabilities.

Why Website Accessibility Matters

Accessibility impacts more than usability. It directly affects how people perceive your brand and whether they can trust your business.

An accessible website helps:

• Reach a wider audience
• Improve user experience and engagement
• Support SEO and search engine visibility
• Reduce long-term legal and compliance risk
• Demonstrate inclusivity and professionalism

More importantly, accessibility shows that your business values all users. It signals care, intention, and responsibility — qualities that build trust before a customer ever contacts you. If you're a veteran small business owner, you may already be wired for this mindset: build systems that work under real-world conditions and serve people well.

Website Accessibility vs. ADA Compliance

Accessibility and ADA compliance are often mentioned together, but they're not exactly the same thing. Accessibility is the practical goal (usability for everyone), while ADA expectations and WCAG standards help guide what “good” looks like.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires businesses to provide equal access to goods and services. While the ADA does not outline technical website rules, courts and regulators often look to established accessibility standards when evaluating websites.

That's where WCAG comes in.

What Is WCAG?

The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) are internationally recognized standards for accessible web design. They are organized around four core principles: content must be perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust.

WCAG has three levels:

• Level A - Basic accessibility requirements
• Level AA - Industry standard for most businesses
• Level AAA - Very strict, often impractical for most sites

Most businesses aim for WCAG 2.1 Level AA, which balances usability and feasibility.

Core Elements of an Accessible Website

1. Readable Text and Proper Contrast

   Text should be easy to read for users with low vision or color sensitivity.

   • Use sufficient color contrast between text and background
   • Avoid light gray text on white backgrounds
   • Use legible font sizes and spacing
   • Don't rely on color alone to convey meaning

   Readable content improves accessibility and reduces bounce rates.

   
   

2. Keyboard-Friendly Navigation

   Not everyone uses a mouse. An accessible website allows users to:

   • Navigate menus using the keyboard
   • Tab through links and form fields logically
   • Clearly see which element is currently selected

   Keyboard accessibility is a fundamental requirement for screen readers and motor-impaired users.




3. Screen Reader Compatibility

   Screen readers rely on proper HTML structure to interpret content.

   • Use headings in logical order (H1 → H2 → H3)
   • Label form fields clearly
   • Use descriptive link text instead of “click here”
   • Structure pages with semantic elements

   Clean, semantic code improves both accessibility and SEO.




4. Image Accessibility

   Images should enhance content — not block understanding.

   • Add meaningful alt text for informative images
   • Mark decorative images appropriately
   • Avoid embedding critical text inside images

   Alt text helps screen readers and improves image search visibility.




5. Forms and Interactive Elements

   Forms are often the biggest accessibility barrier.

   • Every input needs a visible label
   • Error messages should be clear and helpful
   • Buttons should be large enough to tap easily
   • Required fields should be identified clearly

   Accessible forms increase conversions by reducing frustration.




6. Accessible Media (Video & Audio)

   Media content should be usable without sound or precise control.

   • Provide captions for videos
   • Avoid auto-playing audio
   • Ensure video players are keyboard accessible

   Captions also benefit users watching videos in quiet or noisy environments.

Common Website Accessibility Mistakes

Many accessibility issues come from design shortcuts or default settings:

• Low-contrast brand colors
• Missing image alt text
• Overreliance on page builders that generate bloated code
• Popups that trap keyboard focus
• Small clickable elements on mobile
• Inconsistent heading structure

The good news? Most accessibility improvements are fixable without redesigning your entire site.

How to Test Website Accessibility

There's no single tool that guarantees full accessibility, but testing helps identify issues.

Manual testing is essential:

• Navigate your site using only the keyboard
• Increase text size to 200% and verify the layout doesn't break (no overlapping and cropped text)
• Test your site on mobile devices
• Use built-in accessibility features on your phone or computer

Automated audits can help spot red flags, but they should be treated as starting points — not final answers.

Accessibility, SEO, and Performance Are Connected

Search engines reward many of the same practices that improve accessibility:

• Clear heading structure
• Descriptive links
• Fast load times
• Mobile-friendly layouts
• Clean HTML

An accessible website often performs better in search results because it's easier for users and search engines to understand.

Accessibility, mobile usability, and site speed work together — not separately.

Our Approach to Website Accessibility

At Local Reach Web Design, accessibility is built into how we design and host websites — not added as an afterthought.

We focus on:

• Clean, semantic HTML
• Mobile-first, responsive layouts
• Keyboard-friendly navigation
• Proper image optimization and alt text
• Performance-focused hosting environments

Our goal is to create websites that are usable, fast, and inclusive — without overwhelming business owners with technical complexity. We especially love helping veteran-owned businesses translate their commitment to service into a website experience that's clear, reliable, and welcoming to everyone.

Final Thoughts

Website accessibility isn't about checking boxes or fearing penalties. It's about building a site that respects users, reflects your values, and supports long-term success.

Small improvements can make a meaningful difference — for your audience, your brand, and your business.

Not sure where your site stands today? A website accessibility review can help identify meaningful improvements and clear next steps.

Contact us today to get started on an accessibility review for your website!