Web Accessibility (WCAG)
Web accessibility means building websites everyone can use, including people with disabilities. WCAG provides the guidelines that define how.
Web accessibility is about making sure your website works for everyone. That includes people who use screen readers, people who navigate with a keyboard instead of a mouse, people with low vision, and people with cognitive disabilities. WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) is the international standard that spells out exactly what "accessible" means.
About 1 in 4 adults in the U.S. has some form of disability. That's over 61 million people. If your website doesn't work for them, you're locking out a huge chunk of potential customers.
Why It Matters for Your Business
Beyond the moral case, there's a legal one. ADA lawsuits targeting websites have surged in recent years, with over 4,000 filed in 2023 alone. Small businesses are not exempt. Courts have ruled that websites count as "places of public accommodation" under the ADA, which means your site needs to be usable by people with disabilities.
There's also a practical benefit. Accessible websites tend to be better websites for everyone. Clear navigation, readable text, and logical structure help all users, not just those with disabilities. Google also rewards many of the same things that make a site accessible, so it can help your SEO too.
The Basics
Alt text on images. Every image should have a short description. Screen readers read this aloud so blind users know what the image shows. If an image is decorative, mark it as such so the screen reader skips it.
Keyboard navigation. Some people can't use a mouse. Your entire website should be usable with just a keyboard. That means every link, button, and form field needs to be reachable by pressing Tab.
Color contrast. Text needs enough contrast against its background to be readable. WCAG requires a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 for normal text. Tools like WebAIM's contrast checker make this easy to test.
Headings in order. Use headings (H1, H2, H3) in a logical hierarchy, not just to make text bigger. Screen readers use headings to help users navigate the page.
Form labels. Every form field needs a visible label that's properly connected in the code. Placeholder text alone is not enough because it disappears when someone starts typing.
FAQ
What is WCAG compliance?
WCAG has three levels: A, AA, and AAA. Most businesses aim for AA, which covers the most impactful accessibility issues without requiring extreme measures. It includes things like color contrast, keyboard access, and alt text. Level AAA is ideal but not always practical for every page.
Can I get sued if my website isn't accessible?
Yes. The number of web accessibility lawsuits has grown every year. Most target e-commerce sites, but any business with a website can be a target. The best protection is to proactively fix accessibility issues rather than wait for a complaint.
How do I check if my website is accessible?
Start with a free automated tool like Google Lighthouse or WAVE. These catch the obvious issues like missing alt text and low contrast. But automated tools only find about 30% of accessibility problems. For a thorough check, try navigating your site with only your keyboard and see if you can reach everything.