The Problem
Inaccessible websites exclude users and create liability:
- Excluded users: People with disabilities can’t use your website
- Legal risk: ADA and accessibility lawsuits increasing
- Lost business: Significant portion of population affected by accessibility issues
- Poor SEO: Many accessibility improvements also benefit search engines
- Brand impact: Inaccessibility reflects poorly on organizational values
Beyond compliance, accessibility is about ensuring everyone can use your website.
How I Solve It
I implement accessibility improvements following WCAG guidelines:
Technical Accessibility
- Semantic HTML structure for screen readers
- Keyboard navigation for all functionality
- Focus management and visible focus states
- ARIA labels and roles where needed
Visual Accessibility
- Color contrast meeting WCAG standards
- Text sizing and zoom support
- Responsive design for various devices
- Motion reduction for vestibular sensitivity
Content Accessibility
- Alt text for meaningful images
- Captions and transcripts for media
- Clear heading hierarchy
- Link text that describes destination
Form Accessibility
- Label association with form fields
- Error identification and recovery
- Clear instructions and validation
- Accessible date pickers and custom controls
Need This Solution?
If you're facing similar challenges or want to discuss how I can help implement this for your project, I'd be happy to talk.
Accessibility Assessment
Automated Testing
- Lighthouse accessibility audits
- WAVE and axe accessibility scanning
- Automated regression in CI/CD
- Dashboard reporting for ongoing monitoring
Manual Testing
- Screen reader testing (VoiceOver, NVDA)
- Keyboard-only navigation verification
- Color contrast spot-checking
- User flow accessibility review
Remediation Planning
- Prioritized issue backlog
- Quick wins vs. structural improvements
- Ongoing monitoring and maintenance
- Staff training for content accessibility
Common Accessibility Scenarios
E-commerce Sites
- Product filtering and comparison accessibility
- Checkout flow for screen reader users
- Error handling that announces issues
- Payment form accessibility
Content-Heavy Websites
- Document and PDF accessibility
- Video caption and transcript requirements
- Complex table accessibility
- Interactive content like accordions and tabs
Enterprise and Government
- Section 508 compliance requirements
- Formal accessibility audits
- VPATs and accessibility documentation
- Ongoing compliance monitoring
The Outcome
Your website works for everyone. Legal risk is reduced through documented compliance efforts. User experience improves for all users (accessibility improvements often benefit everyone). SEO benefits from semantic structure and alt text. Your brand demonstrates commitment to inclusion.
