Getting Started with Web Accessibility

Last Updated: January 2025

A step-by-step guide to making your website accessible and WCAG compliant. Perfect for beginners, developers, and designers.

Why Start with Accessibility?

Web accessibility ensures that your website can be used by everyone, including people with disabilities. It's not just the right thing to do, it's often required by law and makes good business sense.

Legal Compliance

Meet ADA, Section 508, and other accessibility requirements

Better SEO

Accessible websites often rank better in search engines

Larger Audience

Reach more users, including 15% of the world's population with disabilities

Better UX

Accessible design improves the experience for all users

6 Steps to Accessibility

Understand the Basics

Learn what web accessibility means and why it matters

Read about the four POUR principles (Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, Robust)
Understand WCAG compliance levels (A, AA, AAA)
Learn about assistive technologies (screen readers, keyboard navigation)
Explore our glossary for accessibility terminology

WCAG Overview POUR Principles Glossary

Audit Your Current Site

Identify existing accessibility issues

Run automated accessibility testing tools (axe DevTools, WAVE, Lighthouse)
Test keyboard navigation (Tab, Enter, Escape keys)
Test with a screen reader (NVDA, VoiceOver, or Narrator)
Check color contrast ratios
Review form labels and error messages

Testing Tools Tool Comparison

Fix Critical Issues First

Address Level A violations before moving to AA

Add alt text to all informative images
Ensure proper heading hierarchy (h1-h6)
Fix keyboard navigation issues
Add form labels to all inputs
Ensure color is not the only means of conveying information
Fix focus indicators

WCAG Checklist Non-text Content

Implement Best Practices

Follow accessibility best practices in your code

Use semantic HTML elements (<nav>, <main>, <article>, etc.)
Ensure proper ARIA labels when needed
Maintain logical focus order
Provide skip links for navigation
Ensure sufficient color contrast (4.5:1 for normal text)
Make touch targets at least 44x44px

Code Examples Learn More

Test and Validate

Verify your improvements work correctly

Re-run automated tests to verify fixes
Test with multiple screen readers
Test on different devices (desktop, mobile, tablet)
Get feedback from users with disabilities
Validate HTML and ARIA usage

Testing Tools Checklist

Maintain Accessibility

Keep accessibility in mind for all future updates

Include accessibility in your development workflow
Train your team on accessibility best practices
Conduct regular accessibility audits
Monitor for new issues when adding content
Stay updated with WCAG guidelines

Compliance Info FAQ

Quick Wins - Start Here

These high-impact fixes can be implemented quickly and will significantly improve your site's accessibility.

Add Alt Text to Images

High

Time: 5 minutes

Learn More

Improve Color Contrast

High

Time: 15 minutes

Learn More

Add Form Labels

High

Time: 10 minutes

Learn More

Fix Heading Hierarchy

Medium

Time: 20 minutes

Learn More

Add Skip Links

Medium

Time: 10 minutes

Learn More

Ensure Keyboard Navigation

High

Time: 30 minutes

Learn More

Additional Resources

WCAG Checklist

Interactive compliance checklist

Testing Tools

Accessibility testing resources

FAQ

Common questions answered

Learn More

Educational resources

6 Steps to Accessibility

Understand the Basics

Learn what web accessibility means and why it matters

Read about the four POUR principles (Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, Robust)
Understand WCAG compliance levels (A, AA, AAA)
Learn about assistive technologies (screen readers, keyboard navigation)
Explore our glossary for accessibility terminology