Accessibility isn’t just a tech checklist – it’s about making sure your digital spaces are usable and welcoming for everyone. And if you’re a values-driven service provider, that matters. A lot.
Luckily, you don’t need to be a developer to start making your website more accessible. In this post, I’ll walk you through the basics – alt text, navigation, color contrast, and accessible UX – with beginner-friendly tips and tools so you can take action right away.
The gist: Website accessibility is the practice of building a site that disabled and neurodivergent visitors can use, including people who rely on screen readers or keyboard navigation. Beginners can start with four basics: alt text, simple navigation, strong color contrast, and accessible UX. Free tools like WAVE help you find issues and improve your site one step at a time.
Let’s break it down and build a web experience that works better for all your people.
What Is Website Accessibility?
Website accessibility means making sure your website works for everyone – including people with disabilities, neurodivergent folks, and anyone using assistive tech like screen readers or keyboard navigation.
It’s not just about checking legal boxes (though yes, accessibility can help you stay compliant with laws like the ADA). It’s about being a good human, a thoughtful business owner, and someone who values inclusion and backs it up with action.
When your site is accessible, it’s easier for people to find what they need, trust your brand, and work with you. That includes your ideal clients who might be navigating chronic illness, ADHD, vision impairments, or even just tech overwhelm on any given day.
And here’s the kicker – most accessibility improvements actually make your site better for everyone. Clearer text… Easier navigation… Better contrast… It’s a win-win.
You don’t have to do it all at once. Just start with the basics…
Let’s explore four foundational elements that make a big difference.
What Are The Four Basics Of An Accessible Website?
You don’t need coding skills or a fancy design team to make your site more accessible. These four areas are beginner-friendly, and even small tweaks can have a big impact.
1. How do you write helpful alt text?
Alt text is the written description of an image. It’s what screen readers read aloud to someone who can’t see the image, and it shows up if the image doesn’t load. It also helps with SEO – so it’s not just inclusive, it’s smart marketing.
Quick Tips:
- Describe the purpose of the image, not just what’s in it.
- Skip “image of…” or “picture of…” (screen readers already know it’s an image).
- Keep it short and clear – what do you want someone to understand from this image?
Where to Add It: Most platforms (like WordPress, Canva, and Squarespace) have an “alt text” or “image description” field when you upload a photo. Just take a second to fill it in.
2. What makes website navigation easy to use?
A confusing menu or a cluttered homepage can overwhelm users – especially folks with cognitive disabilities, ADHD, or limited mobility.
Quick Tips:
- Keep your menu simple and consistent across pages.
- Use clear headings to guide users through your content.
- Test your site using just the keyboard – can you tab through links and buttons in order?
Why It Matters: If someone can’t get around your site easily, they’re going to bounce. Simple, logical navigation = better user experience for everyone.
3. Which color combinations keep text readable?
That pastel pink on white might look pretty, but it could be completely unreadable for folks with low vision, color blindness, or screen glare.
Quick Tips:
- Use high-contrast colors for text and backgrounds.
- Avoid super light gray or yellow text on white.
- When in doubt, test it with a contrast checker.
Try This Tool: WebAIM Contrast Checker is a free and easy way to see if your colors are readable.
4. What is accessible UX?
UX = user experience. Accessible UX means your site is easy to use, understand, and navigate – especially for people with disabilities, neurodivergent brains, or slower internet connections.
Quick Wins:
- Label buttons clearly (skip “Click Here” and use “Download Free Guide” instead).
- Don’t auto-play audio or video.
- Give people time to respond – avoid sudden popups or disappearing alerts.
ADHD-Friendly Bonus: What helps neurodivergent users – like clear layout, logical flow, and reduced distractions – tends to help everyone.
Want to make your site more accessible without the stress? Let’s look at some tools that’ll do the heavy lifting for you.
What Free Tools Can Help You Audit Your Website’s Accessibility?
You don’t need to guess whether your site is accessible. These tools will help you spot issues and make improvements – without needing a developer on speed dial.
What does the WAVE tool check for?
WAVE scans any web page and shows you accessibility issues like missing alt text, poor contrast, or unlabeled buttons. It’s visual and beginner-friendly – just plug in your URL and start exploring.
How does the WebAIM Contrast Checker work?
Use the Contrast Checker to test your text/background color combos. If the ratio is too low, tweak the shades until you hit a passing score (AAA is best, but AA is a solid goal).
Which browser extensions help with accessibility testing?
- axe DevTools (Chrome/Firefox): Offers detailed accessibility testing – great if you're ready for a slightly deeper dive.
- Funkify: Simulates disabilities so you can see how your site might feel for different users.
- Colorblindly: Shows how people with various types of color blindness experience your site.
Try viewing your site on different devices and at different zoom levels. Turn on a screen reader or navigate using just your keyboard. These hands-on tests can reveal a lot.
Why should you skip accessibility plugins and overlays?
Accessibility plugins like WP Accessibility or One Click Accessibility might promise quick fixes, but they often get in the way of real accessibility and create barriers for users with assistive tech. If you're tempted to install one, learn why accessibility overlays do more harm than good, before you decide.
Reminder: You don’t need to “fix everything” overnight. These tools aren’t about perfection. They’re here to help you learn, take small steps, and make your site more welcoming – one fix at a time.
How Can You Start Improving Your Website’s Accessibility Today?
Accessibility isn’t all-or-nothing. You don’t have to overhaul your whole site today to make a meaningful difference. The goal isn’t perfection – it’s creating a better experience for more people, one small step at a time.
Pick one thing to start with.
Maybe it’s adding alt text to your blog images, checking your homepage contrast, or reworking your navigation menu so it’s clearer and more intuitive.
Each change you make sends a message: Everyone belongs here. And that’s powerful.
Plus, every accessibility improvement you make now sets you up for stronger SEO, better user engagement, and a more values-aligned brand presence in the long run. You’re not just doing the “right thing” – you’re building a business that’s designed to last.
Let’s Keep This Conversation Going
If you’re exploring accessible, ethical marketing for your small business, I’d love to connect.
Find me on LinkedIn or Instagram and say hey. I share tips, behind-the-scenes insights, and reminders that marketing can be kind and effective.
Curious what it’s like to work together? I help service-based business owners build ethical, inclusive, and ADHD-friendly marketing systems. Learn more about working with me and see if we’re a good fit.
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FAQs
Many accessibility improvements happen right inside your website builder, such as filling in alt text fields or adjusting your brand colors for stronger contrast. Platforms like WordPress and Squarespace include these settings by default. Free tools like WAVE can point out what to fix, so you can make progress without a developer.
Yes! Alt text helps search engines understand your images, and clear headings show how your content is organized. Descriptive link text and simple navigation also help visitors find what they need and stay on your site longer, which supports stronger search performance over time.
Start by running your homepage through WebAIM’s free WAVE tool, which flags issues like missing alt text and low contrast. Then try moving through your site using only the Tab and Enter keys. Zooming in to 200% and turning on your device’s built-in screen reader can reveal even more.
Accessible design built into your site’s code and content serves visitors far better. Overlays often interfere with the assistive technology disabled visitors already use, and sites with overlays can still face accessibility lawsuits. Your time is best spent on direct fixes like alt text, headings, and contrast.
WCAG’s AA standard calls for a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 for regular text and 3:1 for large text. The stricter AAA standard calls for 7:1 for regular text. The free WebAIM Contrast Checker shows your ratio instantly, so you can adjust shades until your colors pass.
In the US, courts have applied the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to many business websites, and other countries have their own accessibility laws. Requirements vary by location and business type, so a legal professional can confirm what applies to you. Following WCAG guidelines is a strong place to start.
