Digital Accessibility 101: Building Inclusive Digital Experiences (2025)

In the digital-first world, ensuring websites, applications, and electronic documents are accessible to everyone is essential for creating truly inclusive digital experiences. With approximately 16% of the global population (1.3 billion people) living with some form of disability, digital accessibility has evolved from a specialized consideration into a fundamental requirement for effective digital design and development.

This comprehensive guide explores digital accessibility—from foundational principles and implementation strategies to testing methodologies and business benefits. Whether you're a designer, developer, content creator, or business leader, understanding accessibility is crucial for serving all users effectively in the digital landscape.

What is digital accessibility?

Digital accessibility refers to the inclusive practice of designing and developing websites, applications, and technologies that everyone can use, including individuals with visual, auditory, motor, cognitive, or neurological disabilities.

According to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), all digital content should follow four fundamental principles, remembered by the acronym POUR:

Perceivable

Information must be presentable in ways users can perceive with at least one of their senses. This includes alt text for images, transcripts for audio content, captions for videos, content that can be presented differently without losing meaning, and ensuring color is not used as the only visual means of conveying information.

Operable

User interface components and navigation must be operable by everyone, regardless of how they interact with digital content. This includes making all functionality available via keyboard, providing enough time to read and use content, avoiding content that could cause seizures, and helping users navigate and find content easily.

Understandable

Information and interface operations must be easily comprehensible. This involves making text readable and comprehensible, creating predictable content and controls, and helping users avoid and correct mistakes.

Robust

Content must be compatible with current and future user tools, including assistive technologies. This means using proper markup that can be interpreted by different browsers and screen readers and following web standards and best practices for code.

In practical terms, this means creating content that works with screen readers, can be navigated by keyboard alone, has sufficient color contrast, provides text alternatives for non-text content, and follows a logical structure.

Why digital accessibility matters: the numbers

The statistics around digital accessibility present a compelling case for prioritizing inclusive design.

1. People with disabilities have a combined disposable income of approximately $1.9 trillion globally, representing a significant market opportunity for accessible products and services.
2. Studies show companies prioritizing accessibility outperform others with 28% higher revenue and 30% higher profit margins, demonstrating clear business benefits beyond compliance.
3. The employment gap remains significant—in the US, only 19.1% of people with disabilities are employed, compared to 63.7% of those without disabilities. Accessible digital tools and platforms can help address this disparity.
4. With about 46% of people aged 60+ having disabilities, accessibility becomes increasingly important as global populations age and older adults remain active digital consumers.
5. Legal risk continues to grow, with ADA Title III lawsuits increasing by 320% from 2013 to 2020. Organizations must recognize these trends as accessibility becomes more legally mandated.
6. The current digital landscape remains largely inaccessible, with 95.9% of websites having at least one WCAG 2.0 failure and 26% of disabled people unable to use smartphone and tablet apps.

These numbers highlight both the current state of digital inaccessibility and the substantial opportunity for organizations committed to inclusive design. By making digital experiences accessible, companies fulfill ethical and legal obligations while tapping into significant market potential.

Key accessibility barriers (and how to address them)

Poor color contrast

Text that doesn't stand out sufficiently from its background creates reading difficulties for people with low vision or color blindness. This seemingly small issue affects millions of users, yet is relatively simple to address.

Solution: Ensure text meets WCAG contrast requirements (4.5:1 for normal text, 3:1 for large text). Use contrast-checking tools to verify your color combinations and consider providing high-contrast viewing options.

Missing text alternatives for images

Without alternative text, people using screen readers cannot understand the content and purpose of images, charts, diagrams, and other visual elements that may contain important information.

Solution: Add concise, descriptive alt text to all informative images. For decorative images, use empty alt attributes or mark them as decorative in your CMS to allow screen readers to skip them.

Keyboard inaccessibility

Many websites rely exclusively on mouse interactions, creating insurmountable barriers for people who use keyboard navigation or alternative input devices due to motor disabilities.

Solution: Ensure all interactive elements are keyboard-accessible, with visible focus indicators and logical tab order. Test your site using only a keyboard to identify issues. Make sure users can navigate, operate controls, and access all features without a mouse.

Inaccessible forms

Forms present multiple barriers when poorly designed: unlabeled fields confuse screen reader users, error messages may be inaccessible, and time limits may prevent people with motor disabilities from completing forms.

Solution: Use proper form labels, provide clear instructions, implement error messages that explain how to fix issues, and ensure forms work with assistive technologies. Group related fields logically and give users enough time to complete complex forms.

Lack of video captions and transcripts

Without captions or transcripts, audio and video content is inaccessible to people who are deaf or hard of hearing, representing a significant portion of your potential audience.

Solution: Provide synchronized captions for all video content and transcripts for audio content. If using auto-captioning services, edit for accuracy. Consider adding audio descriptions for important visual information not conveyed through dialogue.

Testing for accessibility

Comprehensive accessibility testing combines multiple approaches to ensure a thorough evaluation of accessibility features. No single testing method can identify all potential barriers, making a multi-faceted approach essential.

Automated testing

Automated accessibility testing uses specialized software to scan websites and applications for compliance with accessibility guidelines. These tools can quickly identify many technical issues across large amounts of content.

While efficient, automated accessibility tools typically catch only 30-40% of possible accessibility issues and cannot evaluate subjective elements like whether alt text meaningfully describes an image. They may also produce false positives requiring human verification.

What automated testing evaluates well includes missing alternative text, color contrast ratios, heading structure, form label associations, and HTML validation issues. Popular tools include Axe DevTools, WAVE, Lighthouse, and IBM Equal Access Checker.

Take a look at our comparison chart outlining the pros and cons of accessibility testing tools:

Manual testing

Manual accessibility testing involves humans systematically reviewing digital products against accessibility guidelines and best practices. This approach allows for a deeper assessment of context-dependent issues and user experience considerations.

Though time-consuming and potentially subjective, manual testing identifies issues automated tools miss, such as keyboard navigation flow, screen reader compatibility, appropriate text alternatives, logical reading order, and clear error messages.

Effective approaches include keyboard-only navigation testing, screen reader testing with tools like NVDA or VoiceOver, and structured test scenarios following common user journeys.

Below is a comparison table outlining the pros and cons of manual accessibility testing.

User testing with people with disabilities

The most valuable form of accessibility testing involves people with various disabilities using your site or application. Their real-world experiences will uncover issues that automated tools and even expert evaluators might miss.

For effective user testing, recruit participants with diverse disabilities, create realistic scenarios based on common user journeys, document both successful completions and obstacles encountered, and compensate participants appropriately for their expertise and time.

Remember that different disabilities require different testing approaches—what works for a screen reader user may not address barriers faced by someone with motor limitations or cognitive disabilities. This is why a structured approach to testing across disability categories is essential.

Accessibility testing by disability type

When testing for accessibility, it's important to consider the specific needs of different disability categories. This table outlines key testing approaches for various disability types:

Accessibility laws and standards

Several key regulations and guidelines govern digital accessibility worldwide. Understanding this legal landscape is crucial for organizations seeking compliance while creating inclusive experiences.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life, including websites and digital services. The Department of Justice affirmed in March 2022 that websites must be accessible to comply with ADA Title II and Title III obligations.

Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)

The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) represent the internationally recognized standard for web accessibility developed by the W3C. WCAG 2.1 is the current version, with WCAG 2.2 published in October 2023. These guidelines define three compliance levels (A, AA, and AAA), with Level AA being the generally accepted legal standard.

European Accessibility Act (EAA)

The European Accessibility Act (EAA) standardizes accessibility requirements across EU member states for key digital products and services. The EAA became law in April 2019 and must be implemented by all EU member states by June 28, 2025, covering a wide range of digital products and services.

UK Equality Act

The UK Equality Act requires service providers to make "reasonable adjustments" to ensure accessibility for people with disabilities. The Public Sector Bodies Accessibility Regulations specifically require public sector websites to meet WCAG 2.1 AA standards.

Game Accessibility Guidelines

Game Accessibility Guidelines help game developers make video games more accessible to players with disabilities. These community-driven guidelines cover various impairments and are organized into three implementation levels: basic (low-effort, high-impact changes), intermediate (moderate development effort), and advanced (comprehensive accessibility features).

Most organizations aim for WCAG 2.1 Level AA compliance as it satisfies most legal requirements and provides good accessibility. With WCAG 2.2 now published, forward-thinking organizations are beginning to implement its additional requirements to stay ahead of regulatory changes.

Implementing accessibility best practices

Implementing accessibility requires attention to several key areas throughout the design and development process. These best practices ensure your digital products work for the widest possible audience.

Document structure and semantic markup

Proper HTML structure forms the foundation of accessible digital experiences. but how do you create a structure that works for everyone? Start with a single <h1> heading that clearly communicates your page's purpose. Organize content using logical heading hierarchy (H1, H2, H3) without skipping levels, creating a navigable document outline.

Native HTML elements come with built-in accessibility features, so use them for their intended semantic purpose rather than creating custom solutions. Include landmark elements like <main>, <nav>, and <header> to provide navigational signposts that assistive technology users can leverage.

Creating descriptive page titles helps users understand where they are in your digital experience and improves orientation for everyone, especially screen reader users who hear the page title first when arriving at a new page.

ARIA implementation

When native HTML semantics aren't sufficient, ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) attributes provide powerful enhancement options. How should you approach ARIA implementation? Use these attributes judiciously and only when standard HTML elements cannot achieve your accessibility goals.

Apply correct ARIA roles to custom interactive elements, such as role="button" for styled divs that function as buttons. Implement state attributes like aria-expanded="true" to communicate component conditions to screen readers, ensuring users understand the current state of interactive elements.

When elements lack visible text, provide accessible names using aria-label or aria-labelled by attributes. For dynamic content that updates without page refreshes, implement aria-live regions to ensure screen reader users receive important updates.

Always validate your ARIA implementation through testing with actual assistive technologies to ensure it functions as intended, as improper ARIA can sometimes create more barriers than it solves.

Text and language

How can your content be accessible to the widest possible audience? Begin by specifying your document's language with the lang attribute and marking any language changes within the content. This allows screen readers to use the correct pronunciation rules.

Write in plain language whenever possible, avoiding unnecessary complexity that creates barriers for users with cognitive disabilities or those using translation tools. Descriptive headings serve as signposts, helping all users scan and understand your content structure.

Breaking content into manageable chunks with appropriate white space reduces cognitive load and improves readability. Spell out acronyms on first use and define technical terms when they cannot be avoided.

These text and language practices make your content more accessible to people with cognitive disabilities and benefit all users seeking clarity and ease of understanding.

Images and multimedia

Visual and audio content requires special consideration for users with sensory disabilities. How do you ensure everyone can access your multimedia? Add meaningful alternative text to all informative images, describing both content and purpose for those who cannot see them.

Keep alt text concise and focused on essential information, typically 125 characters or fewer. For purely decorative images, use empty alt attributes to allow screen readers to skip them entirely.

Provide synchronized captions for video content and transcripts for audio content, making multimedia accessible to deaf and hard-of-hearing users. Ensure media players have accessible controls that can be operated via keyboard and integrated with assistive technologies.

These practices also benefit users in noisy environments, those with limited bandwidth, and people who process information better in text format rather than audio or visual presentations.

Links and navigation

Navigation is critical for all users to find and interact with your content. How do you create navigation that works universally? Use descriptive link text that clearly communicates the destination even when read out of context, as screen reader users often navigate by exploring links in isolation.

Avoid generic phrases like “click here” or “learn more” that provide no contextual information about where links lead. Provide multiple ways to find content through navigation menus, search functionality, and site maps to accommodate different user preferences.

Clearly indicate the current location within your navigation structure to help users understand where they are in relation to the overall site organization. Implement skip links that allow keyboard users to bypass repetitive navigation elements, significantly reducing the effort needed to access the main content.

These navigation practices create more intuitive experiences for everyone while removing significant barriers for users with disabilities.

Forms and interactive elements

Forms represent critical interaction points that often create significant accessibility barriers. How can you ensure everyone can complete your forms? Label all form fields explicitly with properly associated <label> elements rather than relying on placeholder text, which disappears when users begin typing.

Group related form elements with <fieldset> and <legend> to create logical sections that are easier to comprehend. Provide clear instructions at the beginning of forms to set expectations before users start entering information.

Implement accessible error handling that clearly identifies problems, explains how to fix them, and programmatically associates error messages with the relevant fields. Ensure all custom widgets work properly with keyboard navigation, allowing users who cannot use a mouse to complete all actions independently.

These form accessibility practices lead to higher completion rates and better experiences for all users, especially those using assistive technologies.

The business case for accessibility

Beyond compliance and inclusivity, implementing digital accessibility offers compelling business advantages. Understanding these benefits can help organizations prioritize accessibility initiatives.

Expanded market reach

Accessible digital experiences allow you to tap into the trillion-dollar market of people with disabilities, a segment with significant purchasing power often overlooked by competitors. As populations age globally, the number of people with age-related disabilities increases, making accessibility critical for reaching older adults who control substantial wealth.

Mobile accessibility improves experiences across devices for all users, not just those with disabilities. Accessible content is often more usable across different languages, cultures, and regions, facilitating international expansion and market growth.

Technical and operational benefits

Many accessibility practices—like descriptive alt text, semantic HTML, and clear page structure—directly align with search engine optimization best practices, potentially improving search rankings and organic traffic.

Following accessibility standards typically results in cleaner, more semantic code that is easier to maintain and debug, reducing long-term development costs. Building accessibility in from the start prevents costly retrofitting later and helps future-proof your digital assets against evolving standards and technologies.

User experience improvements

Many accessibility features—like clear navigation, consistent design, and keyboard accessibility—improve usability for all users, not just those with disabilities. Features like captions help users in noisy environments, voice control benefits multitaskers, and clear layouts assist users with limited attention spans.

Creating inclusive experiences demonstrates care for all customers, potentially improving satisfaction, loyalty, and word-of-mouth recommendations. Accessible customer service channels and support documentation can reduce support costs by enabling more users to self-serve successfully.

Business performance and reputation

Companies prioritizing accessibility often outperform competitors financially, with studies showing significant advantages in revenue and profit margins. Proactively addressing accessibility reduces exposure to costly litigation, settlements, and remediation requirements as legal enforcement increases.

Demonstrating commitment to inclusion can strengthen brand perception among increasingly socially conscious consumers and partners. An accessible workplace attracts a more diverse talent pool and can improve employee satisfaction and retention, particularly among team members with disabilities.

Getting started with accessibility

If you're new to accessibility, here's a practical roadmap to begin your journey toward more inclusive digital experiences.

1. Build awareness and knowledge

Start by securing executive buy-in by presenting the business case for accessibility, focusing on market opportunity, legal requirements, and brand benefits. Provide role-specific training for designers, developers, content creators, and QA testers so each team member understands their role in creating accessible experiences.

Develop a resource library of guidelines, checklists, and tools specific to your organization's needs. Regular learning sessions through workshops keep accessibility knowledge fresh and evolving as standards and technologies change.

2. Assess your current state

Before making changes, understand where your digital properties currently stand through an accessibility audit using a combination of automated tools, manual testing, and expert review to identify issues.

Focus initial assessment on high-traffic pages and essential user journeys where accessibility improvements will have the most impact. Document findings systematically by creating a comprehensive inventory of issues categorized by severity and impact.

Benchmark against standards (typically WCAG 2.1 Level AA) and identify quick wins versus complex issues requiring significant redesign or development effort.

3. Develop an accessibility strategy

Create a structured plan for implementation with clear goals and metrics defining what success looks like. Establish an accessibility policy documenting your organization's commitment and requirements for internal and external reference.

Define roles and responsibilities clarifying who owns accessibility at each stage of product development. Create a remediation roadmap prioritizing fixes based on impact, user needs, and resource requirements.

Integrate accessibility into existing workflows by embedding checkpoints into design, development, and content creation processes rather than treating it as a separate initiative.

4. Address the fundamentals

Start implementation by focusing on the most impactful accessibility features: ensure all interactive elements can be accessed and operated using only a keyboard, implement proper hierarchical heading structure across content, and add meaningful alternative text for all informative images.

Improve color contrast to ensure text meets minimum requirements against backgrounds, connect all form fields to their corresponding labels, and implement skip links to bypass repetitive navigation.

These fundamental improvements create a foundation for deeper accessibility work while addressing some of the most common barriers users face.

5. Test and iterate

Incorporate accessibility testing into your quality assurance processes by combining automated tools for efficiency, manual testing for depth, and, whenever possible, user testing with people with disabilities for authentic feedback.

Address high-impact issues first, focusing on barriers that completely prevent access rather than minor inconveniences. Integrate accessibility checks into development workflows through linting tools, component testing, and acceptance criteria.

Establish monitoring processes to prevent regression and continue improving accessibility as your digital properties evolve and grow.

Remember that accessibility is a journey, not a destination. Start with achievable goals, celebrate progress, and continuously build on your successes to create increasingly inclusive digital experiences.

Additional resources

Enhance your digital accessibility journey with these valuable resources:

• Our comprehensive accessibility testing services provide a thorough evaluation of your digital products against WCAG standards and accessibility best practices;
• Equip your team with practical knowledge through our customized accessibility training programs for designers, developers, content creators, and QA specialists;
• Examine how the European Accessibility Act impacts telecommunications companies with our Digital Accessibility & EAA: Telecommunications industry under review white paper;
• Watch our Quality Forge 2024 - Digital Accessibility Conference featuring industry experts discussing the latest accessibility trends, legal requirements, and implementation strategies.

Key takeaways

• Universal impact. Approximately 16% of the global population (1.3 billion people) lives with some form of disability, making accessibility essential for inclusive digital experiences.
• Business advantage. Companies prioritizing accessibility outperform competitors, seeing 28% higher revenue and 30% higher profit margins while accessing a market with $1.9 trillion in spending power.
• Legal requirement. Digital accessibility is mandated by various laws worldwide, including the ADA, Sections 508/504, the European Accessibility Act (with a June 28, 2025 deadline), and the UK Equality Act.
• POUR principles. Create accessible experiences by following WCAG's core principles: make content perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust.
• Testing approach. Combine automated tools with manual testing and user feedback from people with disabilities for comprehensive accessibility evaluation.
• Implementation strategy. Build accessibility into development workflows from the beginning rather than treating it as an afterthought, focusing first on keyboard navigation, proper structure, and alternative text.

Conclusion

Digital accessibility is fundamentally about people—creating experiences that work for everyone, regardless of their abilities. By embracing accessibility standards and best practices, you're not just avoiding legal issues; you're expanding your audience, improving user experience, and demonstrating a commitment to inclusivity.

Remember that accessibility isn't about checking boxes on a compliance checklist. It's about ensuring everyone has equal access to information and functionality in our digital world. The journey toward accessibility may be ongoing, but the impact on people's lives makes it well worth the effort.

Is your digital product truly accessible to all users? Contact us to learn how our accessibility testing and consultancy services will help you meet accessibility standards.