When most people hear the word accessibility, they think of things like ramps, elevators, or special equipment — not the accessibility of a website’s design for their business. But accessibility isn’t just about physical spaces, it’s also about making sure that everyone, including people with disabilities, can fully use and enjoy and explore your online presence.
And, that’s where accessible website design comes in. It’s more important than you might realize.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), roughly 1.3 billion people around the world live with some form of disability — that’s about 16% of the population. When a website isn’t accessible, it can shut out a big group of people who might want to buy from you, read your content, or connect with your business.
What Does “Accessible Website Design” Really Mean?
Web accessibility is about creating websites, tools, and technologies that everyone can use — including people with visual, hearing, mobility, or cognitive impairments. The goal is simple, to make sure that all visitors have equal access and a similar experience, no matter what limitations they might have.
Disabilities can look very different from person to person. Some people use assistive technology like screen readers or voice commands on their computers. Others might need captions, transcripts, or easier-to-read layouts. How someone interacts with your website really depends on what tools they use and what their specific needs are. And, you need to know what those tools might be so that you can optimize your website so that they work when accessing your website.
When your business invests in accessible website design, you’re opening your doors to more people — across Canada, that also means keeping up with important accessibility laws. In Ontario, for example, the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) sets clear standards for making websites accessible and can audit your site to ensure compliance. Other provinces are following suit with similar digital accessibility guidelines. Beyond any legal obligation, it just makes sense to build a website that everyone can easily use and feel welcome on. It might seem like a little thing to you but, when someone with a disability lands on a site that has special elements to allow them to experience it properly, that’s a big deal to them. It could actually be what sets you apart from your competitors even.
How Accessible Website Design Builds Trust and Inclusion
Accessible websites give everyone equal access to information, which helps more people engage with your business and community. It also improves navigation for everyone. A clean, well-organized layout with clear headings and menus isn’t just good for accessibility, it creates a smoother user experience for all your visitors.
There’s also an ethical side to it – making your website accessible shows empathy and inclusivity. It’s a way of saying, “We see you. You matter.” And that builds trust; something every business can benefit from. In some industries and regions, it’s not just a nice-to-have…it’s the law. Businesses have even faced lawsuits for not providing an accessible website to their customers when they’re required to.
How to Make Your Website More Accessible
Before you start sweating the details…you don’t need to be a tech expert to make your website more inclusive. The Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) offers excellent guidance through the WCAG standards — that’s short for Web Content Accessibility Guidelines. How do you start putting accessibility into practice?
Start with the visuals. Every image, video, and audio clip should have a text alternative that explains what it’s showing or saying. That means using “alt text” for images and offering captions or transcripts for video and audio content.
Avoid anything that flashes or autoplays without warning. Not only is it annoying, but flashing visuals can actually trigger seizures for people with certain neurological conditions.
Structure your website logically. Think of clear headings, consistent menus, and organized content. Use heading levels properly (like H1 through H4) and make sure your HTML is set up correctly so assistive technologies can read it smoothly.
Navigation matters too. People should be able to find what they’re looking for without frustration. Keeping your design and layout consistent across all pages helps everyone — not just those with disabilities — move through your site easily.
Even small things, like using images that represent inclusion and accessibility, can make a difference in how people feel when they visit your website.
Standards That Keep Website Design Fair and Clear
If you want to ensure your website meets recognized accessibility standards, look to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.2). These guidelines are built around four key principles, known as POUR:
- Perceivable: Information and user interface components must be presented in ways that users can perceive.
- Operable: The interface must be usable by all, including those using assistive devices.
- Understandable: Content should be easy to read and follow – write your content at a Grade 7 level, not with ten-dollar words.
- Robust: The website should be compatible with current and future technologies.
Compliance is measured at three levels — A (basic), AA (comprehensive), and AAA (exemplary). Most Canadian businesses aim for Level AA, which balances accessibility with practicality.
You can also use ARIA roles (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) in your site’s code to help assistive technologies interpret dynamic content correctly which is especially useful for websites with interactive elements or animations.
How Do You Check to See If Your Website Is Accessible?
If you’re not sure how your current site measures up, there are plenty of tools available — both free and paid — that can help test your accessibility.
AODA can audit your site to make sure it’s compliant. You can submit an application through their website. Dynomapper is a paid platform that runs accessibility tests right in your browser and produces detailed reports. The WAVE® Web Accessibility Evaluation Tool is another excellent resource that spots common accessibility and WCAG issues.
For a quick, free option, try LERA, a Chrome browser extension that audits your website and creates downloadable reports highlighting areas for improvement. The A11Y Compliance Platform, developed by the Bureau of Internet Accessibility, can also check your site for WCAG 2.1 A/AA compliance and visualize how accessible your content really is.
And of course, you can always work with a professional team that uses accessible website design. They can audit your current site, identify gaps, and make improvements to ensure your digital presence is inclusive and compliant across Canada.
It’s Time To Make Your Website Visible to Everyone
Designing a website that works for multiple audiences isn’t about cramming everything into one page, it’s about understanding who’s visiting your site and creating pathways that make sense for everyone. With a little research, thoughtful design, and a consistent voice, you can build an accessible website design that feels personal, inclusive, and easy to use.
If you’re ready to make your site more accessible, we can help. 3SIXTY Marketing Solutions takes the time to understand your brand, your customers, and how they interact with your business online. 📞 Call us today at 705-252-4180 or book a consultation online. Let’s create an accessible website design that welcomes everyone to your business.
