If there’s one thing that’s become crystal clear this year, it’s this: accessibility isn’t just a checkbox anymore. It’s not some legal requirement tucked away in a compliance folder. It’s about real people. It’s about making sure that everyone – regardless of how they browse – can use your website without a hitch.
Think about it: some users rely on screen readers, others navigate using only a keyboard, and many are browsing on devices with reduced motion or contrast settings. In 2025, if your site isn’t built with them in mind, you’re already falling behind.
The introduction of WCAG 2.2, stricter regulations worldwide, and a noticeable shift in user expectations have all pushed accessibility to the front of the design and development queue. But honestly? That’s a good thing. Because if your site doesn’t work for everyone, it’s not really working at all.
Let’s walk through the real-world steps I recommend to clients – no fluff, no corporate filler, just practical things that actually move the needle.
1. Start with an accessibility audit
Would you renovate a house without first checking the foundations? Same goes for your website. You can’t fix what you haven’t assessed.
Here are three solid tools I’ve used for years – and still rely on in 2025:
Axe DevTools: A slick browser extension that flags accessibility issues as you browse. It fits neatly into most dev workflows and shows you exactly where the problems are in your code.
WAVE by WebAIM: Brilliant for visual thinkers. It overlays your webpage with colour-coded feedback, so you can instantly spot missing alt text, contrast problems, and dodgy heading structures.
Google Lighthouse: Built right into Chrome DevTools. It won’t catch everything, but it’s decent for a high-level view – and it gives you an accessibility score alongside SEO and performance.
What’s new this year? AI-powered auditing tools are getting smarter. Tools like Evinced, Deque Intelligent Automation, and Equalify go beyond surface checks. They analyse dynamic content, anticipate problem areas, and even offer smart code suggestions.
For one of our ecommerce clients at SanishTech, who updates product listings daily, we implemented real-time scans. That way, new product pages don’t sit live with broken navigation or poor contrast. The audits run in the background, so accessibility isn’t left behind in the rush to publish.
2. Build with inclusive design principles
Here’s a mindset shift that changes everything: don’t design for users – design with them.
Accessibility doesn’t mean you’re doing something “extra” for a small group. You’re actually improving the experience for everyone.
Let me give you a few examples:
- A colour-blind user might not see status updates if you only use red/green labels.
- A user with ADHD might lose focus with autoplay carousels or flashing ads.
- A screen reader user may completely miss your main call-to-action if your content order is out of whack.
I often say: design for the edges, and you’ll nail the middle. One project last year involved a university admissions portal. We worked with students who had cognitive disabilities and simplified the whole flow using plain language, icons, and chunked steps. The result? Every applicant – not just the neurodiverse ones – breezed through the process. Fewer drop-offs. Happier users.
Inclusive design doesn’t water down the experience. It actually makes your site more thoughtful, more usable, and honestly – more human.
3. Follow 2025 compliance standards
Now, let’s be real. Accessibility also comes with legal weight. If you’re running an international site or receiving any sort of public funding, you’re expected to meet modern standards.
The WCAG 2.2 update introduced a few key changes:
- Focus Appearance (2.4.11): Keyboard users should clearly see where their focus is.
- Dragging Movements (2.5.7): If your interface needs dragging, you must offer an alternative.
- Target Size (2.5.8): Clickable items must be at least 24×24 pixels. No more pixel-perfect button games.
Here in the UK, the Equality Act 2010 means that an inaccessible site could be considered discriminatory – especially if there’s no alternate way to access your content or services. And for EU-based businesses, EN 301 549 ties directly into the European Accessibility Act.
Don’t ignore this. We’ve seen local councils, universities, and even small charities come under scrutiny in 2025 for not meeting these standards.
4. Optimise core accessibility features
Let’s talk hygiene – accessibility hygiene. This is the stuff that should be baked into every single website build, redesign, or even casual content update.
Here’s a rundown of absolute must-haves in 2025:
Alt Text: If an image has meaning, describe it properly. If it’s purely decorative, use an empty alt tag (alt=””).
Keyboard Navigation: Every part of your site should work without a mouse – that includes dropdown menus, modals, forms, and so on.
ARIA Labels: Helpful when used correctly, but don’t treat them as shortcuts. Start with clean, semantic HTML. Use ARIA only to fine-tune.
Colour Contrast: Text must maintain at least a 4.5:1 contrast ratio. There are plenty of tools to check this – no excuses.
Heading Hierarchy: Use heading tags (through) in the right order. Don’t skip levels just to match your design aesthetic.
Skip Links: Include a “Skip to main content” link for keyboard users. It’s easy to add and makes navigation faster.
Form Labels: Every form input should have a visible, clear label – not just placeholder text.
Reduced Motion: Respect motion preferences using @media (prefers-reduced-motion). If users have asked for fewer animations, honour that.
Responsive Layouts: Your site needs to work across all devices, screen sizes, and orientations. Use flexible grids, not fixed pixels.
None of these are particularly shiny or high-tech – but they make or break usability for a huge part of your audience.
5. Automate monitoring with AI (But keep the human touch)
AI has changed the game in 2025. Smart tools now audit your site in real-time, flag accessibility issues, and sometimes even fix them on the fly. That’s huge progress.
Here are some platforms worth exploring:
Siteimprove: Offers detailed dashboards, tracking tools, and issue prioritisation.
Silktide: Great for managing accessibility across large or multiple websites. Particularly useful for agencies or local authorities.
Deque Axe Monitor: Designed for developer teams. Integrates well into CI/CD pipelines.
UserWay: A bit more visual. Uses AI for auto-remediation and interface tweaks.
That said, automation can’t replace human insight.
Machines don’t understand nuance or intent. They’ll miss things like confusing form flows, buttons that “look” unclickable, or links that are technically fine but make zero sense to a real person.
A quick example from a recent project: our client’s call-to-action button passed all technical checks – contrast, keyboard access, ARIA labels, the lot. But users weren’t clicking it. Turned out it looked like a decorative box, not a button. The tools said “compliant”, but the analytics said “ignored”. It took an actual user to catch that.
So yes – use AI to catch the obvious stuff, but always layer in manual testing. Try navigating your site with a screen reader. Hand it to someone unfamiliar and see where they get stuck. That kind of feedback is priceless.
6. Make accessibility a team habit, not a one-off task
Accessibility is a team sport. It’s not one person’s responsibility – and it’s not something to tick off at the end of a project. It should be part of the process from day one.
Here’s how each role can help:
Developers: Write clean, semantic HTML. Test tab order. Avoid “div soup” and focus on proper structure.
Designers: Check colour contrast. Avoid layouts that rely on animation or hover-only states.
Writers: Use meaningful link text, clear headings, and plain English.
Project Managers: Add accessibility into project timelines and sprint goals. Ask, “Have we tested this for all users?”
Simple habit shifts make a huge impact. I’ve worked with teams who added a ten-minute accessibility check to the start of every sprint. It sounded minor – but over six months, they cleared 80% of their long-standing accessibility issues just by treating it like a routine.
Need a place to start?
- Set up a Slack channel for sharing accessibility tips, quick wins, or problem areas.
- Hold monthly mini audits or “empathy labs”, where the team uses assistive tech and swaps feedback.
- Encourage internal training – free resources like W3C’s courses or AbilityNet’s webinars are great and don’t require budget approval.
Once accessibility becomes part of how your team works – not something extra – you’ll see quality and user experience improve across the board.
7. Empower users with customisation options
If there’s one feature that instantly improves inclusivity, it’s personalisation.
Not everyone uses your site the same way – and giving people control over how they view and interact with your content makes a big difference. You don’t need to rebuild your UI from scratch. Even small tweaks go a long way.
Consider adding options like:
- Font resizing controls
- Light/dark/high-contrast theme toggles
- Line spacing and letter spacing adjustments
- Dyslexia-friendly layout views
- Voice support or screen reader tips
Most of these can be added using modern accessibility platforms like:
- UserWay
- EqualWeb
- Recite Me
These tools let users tailor the site to their needs – without you having to maintain five versions of your site. But be careful not to treat them as your only accessibility measure. They’re supplements, not solutions.
I’ve seen this mistake before: a client added a full accessibility widget but left their core navigation broken on keyboard. A toggle won’t save you from a poor foundation.
8. Test with real people, not just tools
This might be the most overlooked step – and the most powerful.
No automated tool, checklist, or dashboard can replace real-world user testing. You can fix all the “errors” and still leave people behind if you never actually watch them use your site.
Here’s how to build human testing into your process:
- Collaborate with disability organisations to run testing sessions or feedback panels.
- Use platforms like Lookback, Maze, or UserTesting to watch how users navigate, stumble, or get stuck.
- Add an accessibility feedback form on your site. Let users tell you directly what’s working – and what isn’t.
And when you ask for feedback, keep it open-ended. Avoid tick boxes.
Instead, ask:
“Was anything frustrating or difficult to use on this page?”
That’s the kind of question that sparks honest replies and valuable insights.
Also: don’t limit your testers to just screen reader users. Accessibility is broader than that. Include:
- People with low vision or colour sensitivity
- People with limited mobility, using voice control or switch devices
- People with neurodivergence, like ADHD or autism, who may interpret layout and content differently
The more perspectives you include, the more inclusive your site becomes – and the better it performs for everyone.
9. Accessibility is ongoing – here’s where to start
Accessibility isn’t a one-and-done project. It’s not something you implement once, check off, and move on from. It’s a continual part of good digital practice – just like SEO, performance, or security.
And the good news? You don’t need a full accessibility budget to start improving today.
Here’s what I usually recommend as a low-barrier first step:
Step 1: Run a free audit
Use tools like WAVE or Axe DevTools to get a snapshot of your current accessibility status. Don’t panic if the results are messy – this is just your starting point.
Step 2: Review WCAG 2.2 updates
Get familiar with what’s changed this year. Focus on the new success criteria that affect keyboard focus, dragging movements, and minimum target sizes. Even if you’re not a developer, understanding the basics helps you ask the right questions.
Step 3: Talk to an accessibility consultant
If you’re building a new site, relaunching, or handling high-traffic government or educational content, get a pro involved. Even a 2-hour consultation can flag major gaps and help you prioritise fixes.
Conclusion
Accessibility isn’t a checkbox – it’s a continuous commitment. And in 2025, it’s something users actively expect. By prioritising inclusion, you not only meet regulations – you build trust, loyalty, and brand credibility. It shows you care about people, not just clicks.
If you’re unsure where to begin, here’s your first three steps:
- Run a free audit using WAVE or Axe.
- Review the WCAG 2.2 guidelines and see what’s changed.
- Speak to an accessibility consultant.
Let’s make the web work for everyone. You’ll receive a reply within a week after submission.
