Web accessibility isn’t just about compliance — it’s about inclusion. In 2025, creating accessible digital experiences is both a legal expectation and a moral responsibility. Whether you’re designing a new site or updating an existing one, following web accessibility best practices ensures your content is usable by everyone, regardless of ability.

What Is Web Accessibility?

Web accessibility means designing and developing websites so people with disabilities — including vision, hearing, motor, and cognitive impairments — can navigate, understand, and interact with digital content.

It’s guided by the WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) and often required by laws like the ADA in the U.S. or EN 301 549 in the EU.

Why It Matters

• 1 in 4 adults in the U.S. lives with a disability
• Accessible sites improve SEO, usability, and performance
• Lawsuits and legal risks are increasing
• Accessibility builds trust and brand reputation

Bottom line: It’s the right thing to do — and it’s good for business.

Core Accessibility Best Practices

1. Use semantic HTML
   Proper use of tags (<h1>, <nav>, <button>, etc.) helps screen readers interpret content correctly.
2. Provide text alternatives
   Use alt text for images, captions for videos, and transcripts for audio.
3. Ensure sufficient color contrast
   Text should stand out clearly from its background to support users with visual impairments.
4. Enable keyboard navigation
   Users should be able to navigate your site using only a keyboard — no mouse required.
5. Label all forms clearly
   Inputs and buttons must have accessible names or ARIA labels to be understandable by assistive tech.
6. Avoid auto-play and flashing content
   These elements can cause issues for users with cognitive or seizure-related conditions.
7. Test with real users and screen readers
   Automated tools are helpful — but nothing beats testing with people.

Common Mistakes

• Using images with text but no alt tags
• Over-relying on color to communicate meaning
• Forgetting to make modals and popups keyboard-accessible
• Not validating accessibility during design (don’t wait for dev)
• Ignoring accessibility in third-party plugins and embeds

At Scalability Inc., accessibility is baked into every step of our design and development process. From inclusive UX to WCAG-compliant code, we help clients future-proof their digital platforms — and serve every user with dignity and ease.