Building an Accessible Website: Designing with Inclusivity in Mind

Posted on March 28, 2025 nerdymind

Imagine you’re watching Jaws for the first time. The tension builds as the camera focuses on the water, just waiting for something to happen. You see the suspense in every movement, but the real terror lies beneath the surface. In a way, accessibility in web design is similar—often invisible to most users, but critical to the overall experience. While you might not always notice the design elements that make accessible websites, they are absolutely essential for creating a positive, inclusive experience for all users.

Accessibility in web design isn’t just about meeting legal requirements; it's about opening doors for everyone. With one in four U.S. adults living with some form of disability, creating accessible websites can have a significant impact. In this article, we’ll explore the steps to building an accessible website and outline best practices to ensure your design is inclusive and welcoming to all.

Accessible Websites: Why Accessibility Matters

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 61 million adults in the U.S. live with a disability that affects their daily activities. Disabilities can range from visual and auditory impairments to cognitive and motor challenges. Despite the prevalence of disabilities, many websites remain difficult or even impossible to navigate for users with these conditions.

When a website isn't designed with accessibility in mind, it not only excludes a significant portion of users but can also lead to frustration and potentially lost revenue. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that people with disabilities represent a $1.2 trillion market in the U.S. alone. Ignoring accessibility means potentially alienating a vast group of customers.

Additionally, accessible websites are often better optimized for mobile devices and search engines, improving the overall user experience and boosting SEO. By taking a proactive approach to inclusivity, you’re not just helping a few individuals; you're making your website more user-friendly for everyone. Now, let’s dive into building an accessible website.

Key Principles for Building an Accessible Website

1. Keyboard Navigation

Many users with disabilities rely on keyboard shortcuts instead of a mouse. By ensuring that your website is fully navigable using only a keyboard, you create an experience that’s inclusive of people with mobility impairments, as well as those with visual impairments who rely on screen readers.

Tip: Ensure all interactive elements such as forms, buttons, and navigation menus are accessible via keyboard. Test your site using just the keyboard to ensure full functionality.

2. Alt Text for Images

Images can be incredibly powerful, but for users with visual impairments, they may as well be invisible. By providing descriptive alt text for every image, you ensure that users who rely on screen readers can understand the content of the image.

Tip: Use clear, concise descriptions of the image that explain its function, not just its visual content. For example, instead of writing “dog running,” write “a brown dog running on the beach with a ball.”

3. Color Contrast and Readability

Nearly 1 in 12 men and 1 in 200 women have some form of color blindness, and many others have low vision. This makes it crucial to ensure that your website has high contrast between text and background colors to improve readability.

Tip: Use online tools to check color contrast ratios and make sure that text stands out against the background. Avoid relying solely on color to convey important information—use text or symbols to reinforce your message.

4. Clear and Consistent Navigation

Navigation is a critical part of user experience, and it’s even more important for users with cognitive disabilities or learning impairments. Clear, well-structured, and consistent navigation ensures that all users, regardless of their abilities, can easily find what they need.

Tip: Keep your navigation simple, use clear labeling, and maintain consistency throughout the website. Avoid overwhelming users with too many choices, and include a search feature to help users quickly locate specific content.

5. Captions and Transcripts

For individuals with hearing impairments, videos can be a major barrier. Providing captions or transcripts for all multimedia content allows users to engage with your content and understand your message fully.

Tip: Add captions for videos and transcripts for podcasts or audio content. Many video hosting platforms, such as YouTube, offer automatic captions, but be sure to check and edit them for accuracy.

6. Forms and Error Handling

Forms are a crucial part of many websites, but they can also be a challenge for users with cognitive disabilities or those who rely on assistive technology. Make sure forms are easy to fill out, with clear instructions and error handling to guide users through the process.

Tip: Provide real-time error feedback and instructions on how to correct any mistakes. For instance, if a user enters an invalid email address, provide a clear message explaining the error and how to fix it.

The Legal Side of Accessibility

In addition to the moral and user experience benefits of accessibility, there are legal requirements to consider. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) mandates that public websites must be accessible to people with disabilities. Failure to comply can lead to legal action, including lawsuits and fines.

For example, in 2020 alone, there were over 3,500 lawsuits filed against companies for not providing accessible websites, according to the WebAIM Million report. By building an accessible website, you not only avoid potential legal issues but also demonstrate that your company is committed to inclusivity and accessibility for all.

Building an Accessible Website: How NerdyMind Marketing Can Help

At NerdyMind Marketing, we understand the importance of an accessible web experience. Whether you’re building a new website or improving an existing one, we offer custom web development services that prioritize accessibility. From designing keyboard-friendly navigation to adding alt text and captions, we’ll help ensure that your site is inclusive and easy to use for everyone.

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Building an accessible website isn’t just a technical requirement—it’s an essential part of providing an inclusive experience for all users. By following best practices like optimizing keyboard navigation, providing clear alt text, improving color contrast, and ensuring multimedia content is accessible, you can create a website that works for everyone.

As you build your site with inclusivity in mind, keep in mind that accessibility doesn’t just benefit users with disabilities. It enhances the overall user experience, improves SEO, and ensures legal compliance. If you’re ready to create custom, accessible websites that serve all users, reach out to NerdyMind Marketing. Let us help you make your website an inclusive, welcoming space for everyone.