ACCESSIBLE WEBSITE DESIGN

Accessible websites that work for everyone

Your website should be easy to use whoever is visiting, whether they use a screen reader, a keyboard, a magnifier or just an old phone in bright sunshine. I design and build WordPress sites with accessibility built in from the start, not bolted on at the end.

WCAG 2.2 AA as the targetWordPress specialistPlain English
WHY IT MATTERS

More people can use your site, and more people can buy from you

Around 1 in 4 people in the UK are disabled, and many more have temporary or situational difficulties: a broken wrist, tired eyes, a slow connection. If they can’t read your text, use your menu or fill in your form, they’ll go to a competitor.

Accessibility also helps you meet your duties under the Equality Act 2010, and a lot of it overlaps with good SEO: clear headings, descriptive links, image alt text and clean, fast code help search engines understand your site too.

1 in 4 people in the UK are disabled
AA the WCAG level I build to
4.5:1 minimum text contrast I aim for
WHAT I CHECK

Accessibility built into every page

Colour contrast Text and buttons that are easy to read against their background, checked against WCAG contrast ratios.
Readable fonts Clear, well-spaced fonts at a comfortable size, with headings that are easy to scan.
Keyboard navigation Menus, buttons and forms that work without a mouse, with a visible focus outline and a skip link.
Structure & headings A logical heading order and page landmarks, so screen reader users can find their way around.
Images & alt text Meaningful descriptions for images that carry information, and decorative images hidden from screen readers.
Forms & links Labelled form fields, clear error messages and link text that makes sense on its own.
HOW I CAN HELP

Accessible design, audits and ongoing care

PRACTISING WHAT I PREACH

How this website does it

  • Body text in DM Sans at 20px, with generous line spacing
  • Headings in Plus Jakarta Sans, in a logical order
  • White on navy text with a contrast ratio of over 13:1
  • Navy on turquoise buttons at over 6:1, above the 4.5:1 minimum
  • A skip link to jump straight to the main content
  • Page language set to English (UK) for screen readers
  • Alt text on meaningful images, decorative icons hidden
  • Layouts that resize cleanly from phones to large screens
HOW IT WORKS

From first message to an easier-to-use site

  • 01
    Discovery. You tell me about your business, your customers and any problems you already know about.
  • 02
    Review. I check your site, or your plans for a new one, against the WCAG 2.2 AA guidelines.
  • 03
    Build or fix. I design the new site, or fix the issues on your current one, in priority order.
  • 04
    Keep it accessible. New pages and content stay accessible with a care plan and simple guidance for your team.
Website pricing Fixed quote before I start. Accessibility is included as standard, not an add-on.
Starter website from £795 Website redesign from £650 Care plan £35/month

Accessible website questions

Can’t find your answer? Drop me a message.

What is an accessible website?+

One that people can use whatever their ability or device. That includes people who use screen readers, keyboards, voice control or magnification, and people with colour blindness, dyslexia or low vision.

What is WCAG?+

The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, the international standard for web accessibility. Level AA is the level most UK organisations aim for, and it’s the level I design to.

Is accessibility a legal requirement for small businesses?+

The Equality Act 2010 requires businesses to make reasonable adjustments for disabled people, and that can include your website. I’m not a lawyer, but building to WCAG AA is the best way to reduce the risk.

Will an accessibility plugin or overlay fix my site?+

Usually not. Overlays add a toolbar but don’t fix the underlying code, and some make things harder for screen reader users. Real fixes happen in the design, content and code.

Does accessibility help SEO?+

There’s a lot of overlap. Clear headings, alt text, descriptive links, fast pages and mobile-friendly layouts help visitors and search engines alike.

Can you make my existing website accessible?+

Often, yes. I’ll check it first and tell you honestly whether fixing it or redesigning it is the better option.

Make your website easier for everyone to use

Send me a message about your site and I’ll let you know where to start.