With over 70 million disabled individuals in the U.S. alone, digital accessibility is becoming an essential part of the online experience. Yet, less than 3% of the world’s 1.13 billion websites are fully accessible, leaving millions of users with cognitive, visual, or physical disabilities facing barriers online.
“Prioritizing accessibility isn’t just about meeting regulations. Accessibility matters because it creates a better online experience for everyone.“
Here’s the exciting part: businesses are starting to catch on. According to Level Access’ Sixth Annual State of Digital Accessibility Report, over 80% of businesses now have a digital accessibility policy, up from 72% in 2023.
Prioritizing accessibility isn’t just about meeting regulations (although with nearly 3,000 lawsuits filed and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) tightening up, it’s something you should absolutely be aware of). Accessibility matters because it creates a better online experience for everyone.
Simple steps like adding alternative text for images, including captions on videos, and designing for screen readers make digital spaces more inclusive, and the benefits go beyond compliance. The payoff? Happier users, stronger customer connections, and a big boost for your brand’s reputation. Plus, search engines love accessible websites (but more on that later).
Accessibility is the future, and we’re here to help you create an inclusive, impactful digital experience that benefits everyone and makes your business shine. Let’s dive in.
The Risks of Not Having an Accessible Website
Not prioritizing accessibility can lead to serious consequences for your company and your reputation. Here’s why:
- Legal Exposure: Regulations like the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) are tightening, and public sector websites must meet DOJ standards by 2025. Private sector sites will soon follow.
- Demand Letters & Lawsuits: Every year, businesses receive thousands of demand letters related to accessibility, with the cost of resolving them reaching up to $25,000. Many cases settle out of court for $5,000-$20,000.
- Costly Remediation: Addressing accessibility issues after a legal demand can take up to a year and cost roughly $100,000.
The risks are mounting, and if you’re not proactive, it could cost you much more than just fines.
Are You Overlooking These 4 Accessibility Issues on Your Site?
Making your website accessible is not rocket science but it does require thoughtfulness. When you design for accessibility, you’re not just thinking about users with visual impairments—you’re considering users with a range of disabilities, including auditory, motor, and cognitive disabilities.
Take color contrast, for example. A high-contrast palette might look striking, but it can leave colorblind users struggling to distinguish elements. And a complex navigation system? It might seem intuitive to some, but for users with cognitive disabilities, it can be frustrating and overwhelming. The challenge lies in balancing creativity with accessibility.
Creativity is important, but the goal isn’t just to build something visually stunning; it’s to create something that works for everyone. As you move forward, keep your focus on functionality because a well-executed, easy-to-navigate design is what keeps users coming back for more.
Here are four common accessibility pitfalls to avoid:
1. Skipping the Basics: The POUR Principles
Accessibility boils down to four main principles: Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, and Robust (POUR). Think of these as the foundation of an accessible site, and ask yourself the following questions:
- Perceivable: Can all users see, hear, or interact with your content?
- Operable: Can your site be navigated without a mouse or touchscreen?
- Understandable: Is your content clear and digestible?
- Robust: Does your site work across different devices and assistive technologies?
Miss these, and you’re essentially building a bridge with no support beams. Not exactly a solid structure.
2. Confusing Accessibility with Usability
A common misconception? That accessibility and usability are the same. They’re related but not identical.
- Usability = Making something easy for most users.
- Accessibility = Ensuring equal access for all users.
- Universal Design = The best of both.
For example, a public transportation app with a clean, visual schedule is usable. Add voice announcements and high-contrast text, and it becomes accessible. That’s universal design—where usability and accessibility come together for a truly inclusive experience.
3. Overlooking SEO Benefits
Fun fact: accessibility and SEO go really well together. Making your website accessible doesn’t just help users with disabilities; it also makes your site more visible to search engines.
- Metadata? Google favors descriptive titles and meta descriptions, which also improve navigation for screen readers.
- Alternative (ALT) text? Screen readers love it, as does Google—it adds keyword-rich content that helps your images appear in search results.
Basically, an accessible site = a more discoverable site. Win-win.
4. Thinking Accessibility Means Sacrificing Aesthetics
A well-designed site can be both beautiful and accessible. As our design guru, Kelli, says, “You don’t have to choose between a sleek site and an accessible one. You can (and should) have both.”
Thoughtful design choices like high-contrast color palettes, readable fonts, and intuitive navigation aren’t just accessibility features; they also create a more polished, user-friendly experience for everyone.
Why You Should Care: The Business Benefits
If accessibility is still on your “someday” list, it’s time to think again. Let’s talk business.
- Regulations are tightening. The European Accessibility Act is already shaking things up, and ADA enforcement in the U.S. is following suit. If you’re not thinking about accessibility now, you’re already behind.
- It’s a revenue opportunity. Designing for accessibility is an investment that pays off in the long run. People with disabilities represent a significant market segment. By making your website accessible, you’re opening the door to a whole new customer base.
- It boosts brand loyalty. Prioritizing accessibility shows you care about all your users, building trust and long-term engagement.
- It improves user experience. Accessible websites don’t just serve users with disabilities—they create a better experience for everyone. Closed captions? Essential for deaf people but also great for people watching videos on mute. Keyboard navigation? A game-changer for users with mobility impairments and power users alike.
- It boosts SEO: As mentioned earlier, accessibility and SEO go hand in hand. Higher rankings mean more visibility, which means more clicks.
The Future Is Accessible
First Ascent supports your accessibility efforts with ongoing compliance monitoring, regular updates, and expert guidance to help you stay ahead. With a full development team on staff, we can audit and remediate your website(s) and recommend tools and services through our agency partnerships that provide support at a discounted rate to our clients.
Ready to make your website accessible? Let’s chat.