Why Web Accessibility Matters (And How to Get It Right)
Over 1 billion people worldwide live with some form of disability. That’s a huge portion of your potential customer base. If your website isn’t accessible, you’re not only excluding people—you may also be violating the law.
At 508 Help Desk, we believe that accessible design is good design. Let’s explore what web accessibility means, why it’s so important, and how your business can create a site that works for everyone.
Web accessibility means designing websites so that people of all abilities can use them. This includes users who are blind, deaf, have mobility impairments, cognitive challenges, or other disabilities.
When your site is accessible, it’s easier to navigate, understand, and interact with—whether someone is using a mouse, keyboard, screen reader, or other assistive technology. Accessibility isn't just about compliance—it's about inclusion.
First, the law matters. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act require websites to be accessible to people with disabilities. Failure to comply can result in lawsuits, fines, and a damaged reputation.
Second, accessibility helps everyone. Features like alt text, captions, clean navigation, and proper color contrast make your site easier to use for all visitors—including people browsing on mobile phones, users with slow internet connections, and aging populations.
And third, accessibility helps your bottom line. The more people who can use your site, the more customers you can reach. It's that simple.
Beyond legal and business concerns, there’s a moral responsibility. The internet is a basic part of modern life—it’s how people shop, learn, work, and connect. Everyone deserves access.
If your website isn’t usable by someone because they’re blind, or they can’t tap a small button due to a mobility issue, your business is unintentionally shutting people out. Web accessibility helps build a more inclusive world—and that’s something worth standing for.
Here are some of the most common accessibility issues we find:
These may seem like small issues, but they can create major barriers for people who rely on assistive technologies.
1. Conduct an Accessibility Audit
The first step is understanding where you stand. A professional audit can identify accessibility barriers on your site. At 508 Help Desk, we offer free Website Accessibility Reports that give you a clear picture of your current state and what needs improvement.
Audits use both automated tools and manual testing by real people to ensure accuracy. You’ll get a list of actionable fixes prioritized by urgency and impact.
2. Fix the Basics
Start by tackling the biggest accessibility issues on your site—those that affect navigation, readability, and usability. This usually includes:
3. Use Semantic HTML
Your site’s underlying code plays a big role in accessibility. Using proper semantic HTML (like headings, lists, buttons, and landmarks) helps assistive technologies understand the layout and structure of your content.
For example, using <h1> through <h6> tags correctly lets screen reader users jump to the sections they’re interested in—just like sighted users skim headings visually.
4. Add ARIA Roles When Needed
ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) roles help bridge the gap when native HTML isn’t enough. They allow developers to describe elements or behaviors that aren’t inherently accessible.
But use ARIA carefully—it’s a powerful tool, but if misused, it can actually harm accessibility. Always start with semantic HTML and use ARIA only when necessary.
5. Test with Real Users
No tool is better than real user feedback. Ideally, test your site with people who use screen readers, alternative input devices, or have visual, hearing, or cognitive impairments.
This kind of testing offers insights you can’t get from automation. If your budget is limited, consider at least using your site with a keyboard only, or trying out a free screen reader like NVDA or VoiceOver to get a feel for the user experience.
6. Train Your Team
Accessibility is a team effort. Designers, developers, content writers, and marketers all play a role in making your site usable.
Train your team on the basics of accessible content—like writing descriptive link text, providing captions for videos, and using headings properly. Building a culture of accessibility helps you stay compliant long-term.
That’s why we recommend ongoing accessibility monitoring. Our team can check your site regularly to make sure it continues to meet standards, even as you grow and update your content.
Accessibility is no longer optional. It's essential to long-term digital success.
Whether you need a full website rebuild or just a little help identifying accessibility gaps, 508 Help Desk is here to guide you every step of the way.
We specialize in accessible web design, remediation, PDF accessibility, ongoing monitoring, and team training—everything you need to become compliant and inclusive.
Don’t let accessibility be an afterthought. Let it be a competitive advantage.
Contact 508 Help Desk today, and let’s build a better web—together.
At 508 Help Desk, we believe that accessible design is good design. Let’s explore what web accessibility means, why it’s so important, and how your business can create a site that works for everyone.
What Is Web Accessibility?
Web accessibility means designing websites so that people of all abilities can use them. This includes users who are blind, deaf, have mobility impairments, cognitive challenges, or other disabilities.When your site is accessible, it’s easier to navigate, understand, and interact with—whether someone is using a mouse, keyboard, screen reader, or other assistive technology. Accessibility isn't just about compliance—it's about inclusion.
Why Should You Care About Web Accessibility?
There are many reasons your business should prioritize accessibility—from legal to ethical to practical.First, the law matters. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act require websites to be accessible to people with disabilities. Failure to comply can result in lawsuits, fines, and a damaged reputation.
Second, accessibility helps everyone. Features like alt text, captions, clean navigation, and proper color contrast make your site easier to use for all visitors—including people browsing on mobile phones, users with slow internet connections, and aging populations.
And third, accessibility helps your bottom line. The more people who can use your site, the more customers you can reach. It's that simple.
Accessibility Is a Human Right
Beyond legal and business concerns, there’s a moral responsibility. The internet is a basic part of modern life—it’s how people shop, learn, work, and connect. Everyone deserves access.If your website isn’t usable by someone because they’re blind, or they can’t tap a small button due to a mobility issue, your business is unintentionally shutting people out. Web accessibility helps build a more inclusive world—and that’s something worth standing for.
Common Accessibility Barriers on Websites
Most inaccessible websites don’t mean to exclude anyone—they just weren’t built with all users in mind.Here are some of the most common accessibility issues we find:
- Missing alternative text (alt text) for images
- Poor color contrast that makes text unreadable
- Non-descriptive link text like “Click here”
- Inaccessible forms without labels or focus indicators
- Keyboard traps that prevent users from navigating
- Improper heading structure that confuses screen readers
- Auto-playing media without controls
- Pop-ups and modals that are hard to close
These may seem like small issues, but they can create major barriers for people who rely on assistive technologies.
How to Make Your Website Accessible
Creating an accessible website may sound technical, but the good news is: it's doable! And you don’t have to do it all at once. Here's how to start.1. Conduct an Accessibility Audit
The first step is understanding where you stand. A professional audit can identify accessibility barriers on your site. At 508 Help Desk, we offer free Website Accessibility Reports that give you a clear picture of your current state and what needs improvement.
Audits use both automated tools and manual testing by real people to ensure accuracy. You’ll get a list of actionable fixes prioritized by urgency and impact.
2. Fix the Basics
Start by tackling the biggest accessibility issues on your site—those that affect navigation, readability, and usability. This usually includes:
- Adding descriptive alt text to all images
- Improving text contrast for readability
- Ensuring all content can be accessed via keyboard
- Adding labels and error messages to forms
- Removing or modifying auto-playing videos
3. Use Semantic HTML
Your site’s underlying code plays a big role in accessibility. Using proper semantic HTML (like headings, lists, buttons, and landmarks) helps assistive technologies understand the layout and structure of your content.
For example, using <h1> through <h6> tags correctly lets screen reader users jump to the sections they’re interested in—just like sighted users skim headings visually.
4. Add ARIA Roles When Needed
ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) roles help bridge the gap when native HTML isn’t enough. They allow developers to describe elements or behaviors that aren’t inherently accessible.
But use ARIA carefully—it’s a powerful tool, but if misused, it can actually harm accessibility. Always start with semantic HTML and use ARIA only when necessary.
5. Test with Real Users
No tool is better than real user feedback. Ideally, test your site with people who use screen readers, alternative input devices, or have visual, hearing, or cognitive impairments.
This kind of testing offers insights you can’t get from automation. If your budget is limited, consider at least using your site with a keyboard only, or trying out a free screen reader like NVDA or VoiceOver to get a feel for the user experience.
6. Train Your Team
Accessibility is a team effort. Designers, developers, content writers, and marketers all play a role in making your site usable.
Train your team on the basics of accessible content—like writing descriptive link text, providing captions for videos, and using headings properly. Building a culture of accessibility helps you stay compliant long-term.
Accessibility Is Ongoing, Not One-and-Done
Web accessibility isn’t something you fix once and forget about. Every time you publish a new blog post, upload an image, or redesign a page, you need to make sure it’s accessible.That’s why we recommend ongoing accessibility monitoring. Our team can check your site regularly to make sure it continues to meet standards, even as you grow and update your content.
The Business Case for Accessibility
Still not convinced? Let’s break down the business benefits:- Reach a larger audience by including everyone
- Improve SEO, as many accessibility practices overlap with search engine optimization
- Reduce legal risk by staying compliant with ADA and Section 508
- Enhance user experience for all visitors
- Build trust and loyalty with socially conscious customers
Accessibility is no longer optional. It's essential to long-term digital success.
Ready to Make Your Website Accessible?
Whether you need a full website rebuild or just a little help identifying accessibility gaps, 508 Help Desk is here to guide you every step of the way.We specialize in accessible web design, remediation, PDF accessibility, ongoing monitoring, and team training—everything you need to become compliant and inclusive.
Get Your FREE Website Accessibility Report
Not sure where to start? Let us help. We’re currently offering a FREE, no-obligation Website Accessibility Report that shows where your site stands and what can be improved. We’ll scan your site, give you clear recommendations, and show you how easy it is to start moving in the right direction—without pressure or salesy gimmicks.Accessibility Is an Advantage
Making your website accessible isn’t just the right thing to do—it’s also a smart move for your business. It shows customers you care, it strengthens your brand, and it opens your business to a wider audience.Don’t let accessibility be an afterthought. Let it be a competitive advantage.
Contact 508 Help Desk today, and let’s build a better web—together.