Why Accessibility Matters in Website Design

In today's digital-first world, your website is often the first point of contact between your business and potential customers. But what if your website unintentionally excludes people with disabilities? In the UK, more than 14 million people live with some form of disability. That’s a huge proportion of your potential audience that may face barriers accessing your online services or content.

Accessibility in website design isn't just about ticking legal boxes – it's about creating inclusive, user-friendly experiences for everyone. At Atlas Bay Media, we believe that accessible design is better design. In this post, we explore why accessibility matters, how it benefits your business, and what steps you can take to make your website more inclusive.

What Is Web Accessibility?

Web accessibility means ensuring that websites, tools, and technologies are designed and developed so that people with disabilities can use them. This includes individuals with visual, auditory, motor, and cognitive impairments.

Accessibility considerations include:

• Screen reader compatibility

• Keyboard-only navigation

• Text alternatives for images

• Captioning for videos

• Colour contrast for readability

  
  

These features not only help users with disabilities but also improve usability for all users, including those on mobile devices or in low-bandwidth situations.

Legal Requirements in the UK

Under the Equality Act 2010, UK businesses have a legal obligation to make reasonable adjustments to ensure disabled people can access their services. This extends to digital services, including websites and mobile apps.

For public sector organisations, the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) Accessibility Regulations 2018 go even further, requiring compliance with WCAG 2.1 AA standards. While private sector businesses are not yet held to the same strict standards, there is increasing pressure to meet them as best practice.

In short: if your website isn't accessible, you could be at risk of legal action or damage to your brand's reputation.

The Business Case for Accessibility

1. Reach a Larger Audience

   Making your website accessible opens it up to millions of potential users who may otherwise be excluded. In the UK alone, the disposable income of disabled households is estimated at over £249 billion. Ignoring accessibility means missing out on a valuable market segment.

   
   

2. Improve SEO

   Search engines and assistive technologies both rely on structured content. Features like alt text, clear headings, and proper semantic HTML make your site easier to navigate for users and easier to index for search engines. That means better rankings and more traffic.

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4. Enhance User Experience (UX)

   Accessible websites tend to have clearer layouts, simpler navigation, and faster load times. These enhancements benefit all users, not just those with disabilities, leading to higher engagement and conversions.

   
   

5. Boost Brand Reputation

   Being seen as an inclusive, forward-thinking brand boosts your image. Customers are increasingly conscious of ethical business practices and social responsibility. Demonstrating a commitment to accessibility reflects positively on your business.

   
   

6. Reduce Legal Risk

   Taking proactive steps to ensure accessibility helps protect your organisation from potential legal challenges under the Equality Act.

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Common Accessibility Issues on UK Websites

Despite the benefits, many websites in the UK still fall short of accessibility standards. Some common problems include:

• Poor colour contrast, making text hard to read

• Missing alt text on images

• Inaccessible forms and buttons

• Non-descriptive link text (e.g. "click here")

• Videos without captions

• Content not accessible via keyboard navigation

These issues can prevent users from accessing vital information, completing transactions, or contacting your business.

How to Make Your Website More Accessible

Improving accessibility starts with a commitment to inclusive design. Here are some practical steps:

1. Audit Your Current Website

   Use tools like WAVE or Axe to identify accessibility issues. At Atlas Bay Media, we offer in-depth accessibility audits to help you understand where your site stands.

   
   

2. Follow WCAG Guidelines

   The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) provide a framework for making digital content accessible. Aim to meet WCAG 2.1 AA standards.

   
   

3. Use Semantic HTML

   Proper use of HTML elements (like headings, lists, and labels) helps assistive technologies understand your content structure.

   
   

4. Provide Text Alternatives

   Ensure all images, videos, and infographics include appropriate alt text or transcripts.

   
   

5. Test with Real Users

   Involve people with disabilities in your usability testing to get first-hand feedback on barriers they experience.

   
   

6. Design for Flexibility

   Make sure your site works across different devices, browsers, and input methods. Responsive, mobile-friendly design is essential.

   
   

7. Train Your Team

   Ensure your designers, developers, and content creators understand accessibility principles and best practices.

   
   

Case Study: Accessibility Success in the UK

A growing number of UK businesses are embracing accessibility. For example, the UK retailer Marks & Spencer has made significant strides in improving their website’s accessibility, from clearer navigation to better screen reader support. The result? Higher customer satisfaction and increased online sales.

These examples show that inclusive design is not only ethically right, but also commercially smart.

Why Choose Atlas Bay Media

At Atlas Bay Media, we specialise in designing accessible websites that deliver powerful user experiences. Our team combines creative flair with technical know-how to build sites that are beautiful, functional, and inclusive.

We stay on top of the latest accessibility standards and tools to ensure your website doesn’t just meet legal requirements, but exceeds user expectations.

Whether you're starting from scratch or updating an existing site, we can help you create a digital presence that welcomes everyone.

If you want to make your website more accessible, now is the time to act. The benefits are clear — for your users, your brand, and your bottom line.

Contact Atlas Bay Media today to discuss your web accessibility needs. Together, we can build a more inclusive digital world.