The internet is meant for everyone, but here’s the truth—many websites still put up invisible walls for people with disabilities. Think about it: if someone can’t read your text because the colors blend together, or if a screen reader can’t find the “Checkout” button, they’re effectively locked out.

The good news? It doesn’t have to be that way. Making your website accessible isn’t rocket science. With the right steps, you can transform your site into a place where everyone feels welcome, included, and able to interact easily.

If you’ve ever wondered “how to make a website accessible” or “what accessibility features matter most,” this guide is for you. Here are 10 practical ways you can start today.

1.Begin with a Solid Accessibility Audit

The first and foremost step is to identify and fix what’s broken. It matters because a website accessibility audit is a complete check for your site. It tells you about all the barriers that disabled people have to go through.

Example: Imagine your online store has a “Buy Now” button, but it’s coded as a plain image without proper labeling. A screen reader won’t recognize it, leaving blind shoppers unable to complete their purchase. An audit would flag this instantly and show you how to fix it.

2.Keep Accessibility Alive with Monitoring

Accessibility isn’t a one-time project—it’s an ongoing process. Every new update, from a banner to a blog post, can create new barriers, which is why regular checks are essential.

Example: Let’s say you upload a new video tutorial but forget to add captions. A deaf visitor would miss the entire explanation. Ongoing accessibility monitoring catches this slip before it turns into a bad user experience.

3.Listen to Real Users with Assistive Tech

These days automated tools are getting popular, but can they replace real people's feedback who rely on assistive technologies? Of course, not! The only way to reveal issues that you cannot do yourself is to test the website with screen reader users, keyboard-only navigators, or voice-control users.

Example: A blind tester using a screen reader might hear your navigation menu read out as “Link, Link, Link” because all your buttons say “Learn More.” That feedback shows why descriptive labels like “Learn More About Pricing” make a world of difference.

4.Train Your Team, Accessibility Is Everyone’s Job

Accessibility isn’t just a developer’s responsibility—it’s something designers, writers, and marketers all contribute to. Marketers, content writers, designers – all of them play a major role in making a website usable for everyone. You have to train your team to make sure that accessibility becomes part of your everyday workflow.

Example: A designer who understands color contrast will avoid pale yellow text on a white background. A content writer who’s trained will add alt text for every image without being reminded. When the whole team gets it, accessibility stops being an afterthought.

5.Focus on Core Web Accessibility Features

It is those small changes that could create a big impact. Like when you consider adding accessibility basics, it can help people, including those with disabilities to enjoy your site. The changes could be as minor as -

Using proper heading structures (H1, H2, H3) for easy navigation
Adding descriptive alt text for images
Labeling form fields clearly
Writing meaningful link text

Example: Instead of labeling a link as “Click here,” write “Read our Accessibility Policy.” That way, screen reader users know exactly where the link will take them.

6.Improve Visual Accessibility

Not everyone sees your site the same way. People with low vision, cataracts, or color blindness need strong contrasts and alternative cues to understand your content.

Example: A green “Submit” button may look fine to most, but for someone with red-green color blindness, it blends into the background. Adding a label like “Submit Order” ensures the action is crystal clear for everyone.

7.Build with WCAG in Mind

The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) are the gold standard for accessibility. They cover everything important, from making text readable to making sure that all the interactive elements work with assistive tech. Most of the accessibility laws recommend aiming for at least WCAG 2.1 Level AA compliance

Example: WCAG needs captions for videos. If you just post a product demo without them, deaf users will definitely miss the whole message. That is why following WCAG is mandatory, as it makes sure your sites are able to communicate with everyone.

8.Tap Into Tools, but Don’t Rely on Automation Alone

There are a few tools like Lighthouse, WAVE, or axe DevTools that can scan your site and point out issues such as missing alt text or poor color contrast. But they can’t catch everything.

Example: An automated tool might tell you your text size meets standards, but it won’t notice that your dropdown menus close too quickly for someone navigating with a keyboard. That’s something only real user testing will uncover.

9.Monitor Third-Party Content Carefully

So, you think your site is accessible? Well, think again! Some third-party tools and plugins can create roadblocks. Here we are talking about booking systems, chat widgets, and payment gateways.

Example: You embed a reservation widget that doesn’t allow keyboard navigation. A blind user or someone with limited mobility who relies on a keyboard can’t book your service, even though the rest of your site works perfectly. Always test third-party tools for accessibility.

10.Champion Accessibility and Build Inclusion Culture

Accessibility isn’t just about compliance—it’s about showing that you value inclusion and care about your users. When you show customers that accessibility matters to you, it builds trust and strengthens your brand.

Example: Some companies share their accessibility improvements on social media or publish accessibility statements on their websites. This not only reassures users with disabilities but also inspires other businesses to follow suit.

Why This Matters

You don’t have to make your website accessible because it should be on your checkbox. But you have to work on it to make it a digital space where each person feels welcome.

For disabled users: It breaks down barriers and gives equal access.
For businesses: It expands your audience, improves SEO, and reduces legal risks.
For everyone else: It creates smoother, more usable websites that people actually enjoy.

Bringing It All Together

Accessibility is not a burden, it’s an opportunity. With small, consistent steps, you can make your site friendlier, fairer, and more future-proof. Start with an audit, keep monitoring, and involve real users. Train your team, follow WCAG, and never forget, accessibility is about people, not just compliance.

When you put inclusion at the heart of your website, you don’t just meet standards, you make the web a better place. And isn’t that what we’re all here for?

If you’re ready to improve accessibility and create a better experience for all, Inclusive Web is here to help. Talk to our team today.

10 Ways to Make Your Website More Accessible Today