Key takeaways
- Keyboard navigation, alt text, contrast, and form labels are foundational.
- Test with a keyboard and a screen reader. Fix what breaks.
- Build accessibility in from the start—retrofits are harder.
Accessibility isn't just the right thing to do—it's a legal requirement in many jurisdictions and it expands your audience. Here are the basics every business should know.
Keyboard navigation
Users should be able to navigate and use your site with only a keyboard. Tab order, focus states, and skip links matter. Test it yourself: unplug the mouse.
Alt text and captions
Images need descriptive alt text. Video needs captions. Screen readers rely on these. Don't leave them empty or generic.
Colour and contrast
Text must have sufficient contrast against backgrounds. Don't rely on colour alone to convey information. Check against WCAG guidelines.
Forms and labels
Every form field needs a proper label. Error messages should be clear and associated with the field. Required fields should be indicated.
Start early
Accessibility is easier to build in from the start than to retrofit. Include it in your design and development process.