What is Website Accessibility: A Useful Guide for Designers
What is Website Accessibility: A Useful Guide for Designers
September 21, 2025
With the increasing number of website users around the world, accessibility is now a standard that website designers must fulfill. For that reason, designers should answer the question “what is website accessibility?” to build a website with a better user experience while expanding audience reach.
By making websites accessible, companies can show corporate responsibility while unlocking significant market opportunities through inclusive design practices. Let’s dive deeper into website accessibility in this article!
Key Takeaways:
Understanding what website accessibility means means designing digital content that accommodates users with diverse abilities and needs.
The POUR principles (Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, Robust) form the foundation of accessible website design.
Implementing accessibility improves user experience, expands market reach, boosts SEO, ensures legal compliance, and strengthens brand reputation.
Understanding Website Accessibility Fundamentals
So, what is website accessibility? In short, it’s a practice that involves designing and developing digital content that accommodates users with diverse abilities and needs. Such a practice ensures people with visual, auditory, motor, or cognitive impairments can access information effectively.
While sounding like a simple task, establishing accessibility goes beyond compliance checklists. To actually achieve such accessibility, teams must create digital experiences that work seamlessly across assistive technologies and various user interaction methods.
Various Examples of Website Accessibility Standards
Various standards of website accessibility (Source: AIOPSGROUP)
Building accessible websites means understanding user needs, technical standards, and legal requirements. Teams should follow website accessibility standards like these to ensure equal access to information and functionality:
WCAG 2.1 (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) – International standard defining accessibility requirements across three compliance levels
ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) – U.S. civil rights legislation requiring digital accessibility for public accommodations
Section 508 – Federal accessibility requirements for government agencies and contractors in America
EN 301 549 – European accessibility standard harmonizing requirements across EU member states
AODA (Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act) – Provincial legislation requiring accessibility compliance in Ontario
European Accessibility Act – Comprehensive EU legislation mandating accessibility for digital services and products
In answering the question “what is website accessibility?”, developers often refer to four guiding principles that form its foundation. Known as POUR (Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, and Robust), these principles ensure that digital content is accessible to all users.
1. Perceivable
The Perceivable principle (Source: Freepik)
As the first example of POUR principles, this standard ensures users can access information through their available senses effectively. Website content must provide alternatives when users cannot perceive information through traditional visual or auditory channels.
Essential Characteristics
Text alternatives for images, graphics, and non-text content that enable screen reader access
Captions and transcripts for audio and video content that support users with hearing impairments
Sufficient color contrast ratios that ensure text readability for users with visual impairments
Content that adapts to different presentation formats without losing meaning or functionality
Information conveyed through color includes additional visual indicators like icons or patterns
The Operable principle ensures users can interact with websites regardless of their preferred interaction method. In this regard, all functionality must remain accessible through keyboard navigation, voice commands, or assistive technologies.
Essential Characteristics
Complete keyboard accessibility for all interactive elements and navigation functions
Sufficient time limits or options to extend time-sensitive content and processes
Content that avoids causing seizures through flashing or rapidly changing visual elements
Clear navigation structures that help users understand their location and available options
Input methods beyond mouse interaction that support diverse user capabilities and preferences
3. Understandable
The Understandable principle (Source: Freepik)
Next, the Understandable principle focuses on information clarity and predictable interface behavior throughout user experiences. To meet this principle, developers must enable users to comprehend both content meaning and operational procedures for effective website interaction.
Essential Characteristics
Clear, simple language appropriate for the target audience’s reading levels and comprehension abilities
Consistent navigation patterns and interface behaviors across website sections and pages
Input assistance that helps users avoid errors and provides clear correction guidance
Predictable functionality that reduces cognitive load while supporting efficient task completion
Logical information organization that supports users with cognitive or attention-related challenges
4. Robust
The Robust principle (Source: Freepik)
As the last example of key principles of website accessibility,the Robust principle ensures websites function reliably across different browsers, devices, and assistive technologies. Content must remain accessible as technology advances and user agent capabilities grow.
Essential Characteristics
Valid HTML markup that follows web standards and best practices consistently
Compatibility with current and emerging assistive technology solutions and interfaces
Semantic code structure that conveys meaning to screen readers and other technologies
Future-proof development practices that support technological advancement and innovation
Cross-platform functionality ensures consistent experiences across devices and operating systems
When considering ‘what is website accessibility?’, it’s worth looking at the practical benefits developers gain by meeting these standards. The benefits include:
Expanded reach through designs that serve users with disabilities and their strong purchasing power
Better SEO from features like alt text and semantic markup
Improved usability with clear navigation and structure that helps all users
Legal protection by reducing litigation risks and meeting regulations
Stronger brand image from inclusive design that reflects responsibility and values
By following these accessibility principles, we can finally understand the answer to the question “what is website accessibility?” as the first step toward creating online experiences that welcome everyone, regardless of ability, device, or circumstance.
Since typography also plays a crucial role in website accessibility, Lettermine Studio offers a wide range of stunning fonts designed to pair seamlessly with inclusive layouts. Explore their user-friendly collection to find the perfect fit for your next project!
