Improving Accessibility on Existing Websites: A Practical Guide

Digital accessibility is increasingly important for businesses of all sizes. An accessible website ensures that everyone, including people with disabilities, can access information and interact with your services. Besides being a legal and ethical imperative, improving web accessibility enhances your brand’s reputation, widens your audience, and can even improve your website’s SEO and usability for everyone.

For small businesses and organisations, updating an existing website to meet accessibility standards may seem daunting. However, a systematic approach can produce significant improvements—often with manageable effort and cost. This guide outlines practical steps you can take to make your website more accessible, no matter where you start.

Understanding Web Accessibility

Web accessibility means creating websites, tools, and technologies that people with disabilities can use. Disabilities can include visual, auditory, physical, speech, cognitive, and neurological impairments. Accessibility also benefits users with temporary restrictions (e.g., a broken arm) or situational limitations (e.g., using a mobile phone in bright sunlight).

Accessibility requirements are guided by the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), published by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). Most legal frameworks (such as the UK’s Equality Act 2010 and the Americans with Disabilities Act in the US) are based on these guidelines.

Why Accessibility Matters for Existing Websites

• Legal compliance: Many regions have regulations requiring digital accessibility. Failing to conform can lead to complaints or legal action.
• Business growth: Accessible sites reach a broader audience, including the 1 in 5 people living with a disability.
• Improved user experience: Improvements that benefit people with disabilities often make sites better for everyone—think clearer content, easier navigation, and faster loading times.
• SEO benefits: Search engines reward sites that are well-structured, descriptive, and easy to navigate—all hallmarks of accessible design.

First Steps: Auditing Your Website’s Accessibility

Before making changes, start with an honest assessment of your current website. This process is called an accessibility audit. Depending on your resources, it can be as simple as using free tools, or as thorough as hiring an expert or engaging people with disabilities to test your site.

Automated Testing Tools

• Lighthouse (built into Chrome DevTools): Generates an accessibility report on any web page.
• axe (browser extension): Highlights issues in real-time and suggests fixes.
• WAVE (web tool and browser extension): Provides a visual overlay of detected accessibility issues.

Remember: automated tools are a starting point. They can catch many common problems, but won’t identify everything—especially issues involving content clarity, keyboard usability, or screen reader interpretation.

Manual Testing Techniques

• Keyboard-only navigation: Try using your website without a mouse. Can you access all features using Tab, Enter, and arrow keys?
• Screen reader simulation: Use free screen readers like NVDA (Windows) or VoiceOver (Mac) to experience your website as a blind user might.
• Colour contrast check: Use tools such as the WebAIM Contrast Checker to ensure text is readable against backgrounds.

Common Accessibility Issues and Practical Fixes

Based on your audit, you’ll likely encounter some frequent problems. Below are practical steps you can take to fix the most common accessibility barriers.

1. Ensure Keyboard Usability

Many users rely on a keyboard or assistive device to navigate websites. Make sure that:

• All interactive elements (links, buttons, forms, menus) can be accessed and operated using Tab, Enter, and arrow keys.
• The focus indicator (the visible outline showing which element is active) is always visible and not hidden by custom styles.
• No page functionality or content is lost when using the keyboard only.

2. Use Proper Text Alternatives for Images

Images require descriptive alternative text (alt attributes) for screen reader users. Best practices include:

• Every image should have an alt attribute. If the image is decorative, use alt="" so it’s skipped by assistive tech.
• Describe the content and function of the image—not its appearance—unless appearance is important for understanding.
• For complex images (like charts), provide a text summary nearby or link to a detailed description.

3. Use Headings and Landmarks Effectively

• Structure content with logical heading order (<h1>, <h2>, <h3>, etc.). Headings should convey the structure, not just visual style.
• Use HTML5 landmarks (<nav>, <main>, <footer>, <aside>) to help assistive tech users jump between major page areas.

4. Improve Colour Contrast and Don’t Rely Solely on Colour

• The contrast ratio between text and its background should be at least 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text.
• Don’t use colour as the only way to convey information (e.g., “items in red are required”). Add text or icons to supplement colour cues.

5. Make Forms Accessible and Error-Tolerant

• Every form field must have an explicit <label> tied to the input element (using for and id attributes).
• Make sure error messages are clear, specific, and accessible to screen readers.
• Group related fields using <fieldset> and <legend> where appropriate (e.g., for radio groups).

6. Ensure Links and Buttons Are Clear and Descriptive

• Avoid vague link text like “click here” or “read more.” Every link should make sense out of context.
• Buttons and actions should have accessible names (for icons, use aria-label or visually hidden text).

7. Use Accessible Multimedia (Video & Audio)

• Provide accurate captions for all video content. For audio-only content, supply transcripts.
• Videos should not auto-play without user control.
• For live streams, consider live captioning if possible. If not, an archive with captions should be provided after the event.

Implementing Changes: Strategies for Success

Updating an existing site requires coordinated effort. Here are some strategies to help manage the process:

• Prioritise fixes: Start with high-traffic pages and high-impact issues (for example, fixing navigation, home page, and contact forms first).
• Incremental improvement: Accessibility is a journey. Improvements can be rolled out gradually—aim for quick wins alongside more complex changes.
• Communicate with your team: Make sure everyone responsible for your website (designers, developers, content editors) is aware of accessibility requirements and priorities.
• Document and track progress: Keep notes of what you’ve addressed and set targets for future updates. There are free and paid tools for tracking accessibility tasks.
• Engage users: If possible, get feedback from users with disabilities. Their insights are invaluable for real-world usability checks.

Establishing Accessible Content Processes

Website accessibility is not a “fix it and forget it” area. New content, campaigns, or features can introduce barriers if those publishing them aren’t equipped with the right knowledge. To maintain and grow accessibility:

• Train your team: Editors, marketers, and developers should learn the basics of accessible content creation. Resources from W3C’s WAI can help.
• Standardise content guidelines: Document standards for headings, images, links, PDFs, and videos, so contributors know what to do.
• Regular audits: Schedule accessibility checks as part of your maintenance routine. This can be done quarterly, bi-annually, or before relaunching sections of the site.

When to Seek Expert Help

While many improvements are straightforward, some issues—such as deep code-level changes, complex interactive features, or compliance with specific regulations—may require accessibility expertise. Professional audits, user testing with disabled users, and ongoing accessibility support are available at a range of price points.

If you need help with your website, app, or digital marketing — get in touch today at info@webmatter.co.uk or call 07546 289 419.

Conclusion

Improving accessibility on your existing website is both a responsible and smart investment. By auditing your site, fixing high-impact issues, building accessible content practices, and seeking guidance when needed, you ensure that your digital presence is usable by everyone.

Remember, accessibility is not a checkbox—it’s a continuous process that evolves with your website and your audience. Start with achievable changes, keep learning, and you’ll make meaningful progress toward an inclusive digital experience.