Building an Accessible Website: Essential Best Practices for Inclusive Design

24 Sep ‘25

In: Web Design & Development, / By: Kristen O'Connor

Did you know that approximately 1 in 4 adults in the U.S. lives with some type of disability? That’s over 61 million people who may face barriers when navigating the web. At Ripe Media, we’ve spent the past 20 years helping organizations create digital experiences that truly serve everyone—not just because it’s the right thing to do, but because inclusive design creates better experiences for all users.

Key Takeaways

• Building an accessible website requires both technical compliance and user-centered design thinking
• WCAG 2.1 AA compliance provides a solid foundation for accessibility standards
• Accessibility benefits all users, not just those with disabilities
• Regular testing with assistive technologies and real users is essential
• Implementing accessibility from the beginning is more cost-effective than retrofitting

Understanding Website Accessibility: More Than Compliance

Accessibility isn’t just a checklist—it’s a fundamental approach to design that ensures digital content can be accessed, understood, and navigated by everyone, including people with visual, auditory, motor, or cognitive disabilities.

When we approach building an accessible website, we consider the diverse ways people interact with digital content. Some use screen readers, others use keyboard-only navigation, and some need high-contrast visuals or captions for video content.

“Accessibility is often treated as an afterthought, but it should be foundational to every digital project,” says our senior UX designer. “When accessibility is built in from the start, it improves the experience for everyone, not just those with disabilities.”

Core Principles for Building an Accessible Website

The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) provide the framework for building an accessible website. Here are the essential principles:

1. Perceivable

Content must be presentable in ways all users can perceive:

• Alternative text for images
• Captions and transcripts for audio/video
• Sufficient color contrast
• Text that can be resized without breaking layouts

2. Operable

Interface elements must be navigable by various methods:

• Keyboard accessibility for all functions
• Enough time to read and use content
• No content that could cause seizures
• Clear navigation pathways and landmarks

3. Understandable

Information and interface operation must be comprehensible:

• Readable, straightforward language
• Consistent navigation and functionality
• Clear error identification and prevention

4. Robust

Content must be compatible with current and future technologies:

• Valid HTML/CSS that works with assistive technologies
• ARIA roles and landmarks when appropriate
• Compatibility with various browsers and devices

Case Study: Accessibility in Action with IHQC

When the Institute for High Quality Care (IHQC) approached us about revitalizing their digital presence, accessibility was a core requirement. Their audience includes healthcare professionals with diverse needs and abilities.

We implemented a member portal with:

• Logical tab order for keyboard navigation
• Screen reader-friendly form labels and instructions
• Clear visual indicators for interactive elements
• Responsive design that works across devices and magnification levels

The result? A platform that better serves their mission while being truly inclusive for all users.

Practical Steps to Start Building an Accessible Website Today

Whether you’re creating a new site or improving an existing one, here’s a practical roadmap to building an accessible website:

1. Conduct an accessibility audit using tools like WAVE or axe DevTools
2. Prioritize critical barriers like keyboard traps or missing alt text
3. Train your team on accessibility principles and testing techniques
4. Incorporate user testing with people who use assistive technologies
5. Document accessibility requirements in your design system
6. Establish ongoing monitoring as content changes

Our team at Ripe Media uses a combination of automated testing tools and manual testing to ensure we catch both technical violations and usability issues that might not be flagged by automation alone.

Beyond Compliance: The Business Case for Accessibility

Building an accessible website isn’t just about avoiding legal issues under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or other regulations. It’s also smart business:

• Expanded audience reach: Access to the 61 million+ Americans with disabilities
• Improved SEO: Many accessibility features align with search engine optimization best practices
• Enhanced usability for everyone: Features like clear navigation and readable content benefit all users
• Protection from legal risks: Reduced exposure to accessibility lawsuits, which increased by over 20% in 2022 according to UsableNet’s 2022 Report

In our work with Global L.A., we ensured that their business incubator platform was not only visually striking but also fully accessible—helping them reach the widest possible audience of international entrepreneurs.

Common Accessibility Pitfalls to Avoid

When building an accessible website, watch out for these frequent issues:

• Relying solely on automated testing without manual verification
• Forgetting about keyboard navigation for interactive elements
• Using low contrast text that’s difficult to read
• Adding accessibility as an afterthought rather than designing for it from the start
• Neglecting PDF and document accessibility for downloadable content

For comprehensive guidance on web accessibility implementation, explore our Web Design Services where we outline our approach to creating beautiful, functional, and accessible websites.

FAQ: Building an Accessible Website

What accessibility standards should my website meet?

Most organizations should aim for WCAG 2.1 Level AA compliance, which is widely recognized as the standard for accessibility and is referenced in most legal requirements.

How much does it cost to make a website accessible?

Costs vary widely based on your site’s complexity and current state. Building accessibility from the ground up is typically more cost-effective than retrofitting. Budget for ongoing maintenance as well.

Can I make my WordPress site accessible?

Yes. Choose accessible themes, use proper heading structure, add alt text to images, ensure form fields have labels, and install accessibility plugins to help identify issues.

Do mobile apps need to be accessible too?

Absolutely. Mobile apps should follow similar principles to websites, plus adhere to platform-specific accessibility guidelines for iOS and Android.

How do I write good alt text for images?

Describe the image’s content and function within the context of the page. Be concise but specific, and don’t use phrases like “image of” or “picture of.”

What’s the difference between ADA compliance and WCAG?

The ADA is a U.S. law requiring equal access, while WCAG provides specific technical guidelines for digital accessibility. Courts often use WCAG as the standard for ADA compliance.

How often should I test my website for accessibility?

Test thoroughly when launching new features and run quarterly accessibility checks on key user flows. Major redesigns require comprehensive testing.

Are there simple accessibility fixes I can implement immediately?

Yes! Start with proper heading structure, sufficient color contrast, descriptive link text, form labels, and alt text for images—these address many common issues.

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