As 2025 begins, it brings a fresh chance to make the digital world more welcoming for everyone. Accessibility isn’t just about compliance—it’s about creating online spaces that feel inviting and easy to use for all. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to polish your existing efforts, there’s always room to grow. By focusing on small, steady improvements and putting user needs at the center, you can create something that truly works for everyone.

Getting Started: Understanding the Basics

Starting something new can feel overwhelming, but you’re not alone. Many organizations are just beginning their accessibility journey, and that’s okay. The first step is understanding why accessibility matters. After that, it’s all about taking simple, practical steps to meet the needs of people with disabilities.

What is Digital Accessibility?

Digital accessibility means making sure your website or app works for everyone, including people with disabilities. These include visual, hearing, cognitive, or mobility challenges. By focusing on accessibility, you’re not only helping people who rely on assistive technology like screen readers or voice commands—you’re making your site better for everyone.

The WCAG Guidelines: Your Roadmap to Accessibility

The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) are a great starting point. Created by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), these guidelines break into four easy-to-understand principles:

• Perceivable: Make sure people can perceive your content. For example, add text descriptions for images and captions for videos.
• Operable: Users should be able to interact with your site using different tools, like a keyboard or voice commands.
• Understandable: Keep content clear and easy to navigate.
• Robust: Make your site compatible with today’s tools and tomorrow’s technology.

These principles are your guide to building an inclusive site.

Quick Wins for Improving Accessibility

If you’re ready to take action, start small. Here are some simple changes that can make a big difference:

• Alt Text for Images: Add brief, clear descriptions to all images. This helps users who can’t see the images understand what’s there.
• Video Captions: Always include captions. They’re a must for people who are deaf or hard of hearing and helpful for anyone watching videos without sound.
• Color Contrast: Ensure your text stands out from the background. This makes it easier for everyone to read, especially those with visual impairments.
• Keyboard Navigation: Make sure all site functions can be used with just a keyboard. This is essential for users with mobility challenges.

These quick wins are easy to implement and can have an immediate impact.

Refining Your Strategy: Policies and Processes

Once you’ve mastered the basics, it’s time to think bigger. This means setting goals, creating policies, and making accessibility part of your routine.

Establish Clear Accessibility Policies

Write down your accessibility goals and plans. This keeps everyone on the same page. Your policy should outline what standards you’re following (like WCAG) and how you’ll measure success. A clear plan helps your team stay focused and committed.

Training and Awareness

Accessibility is a team effort. Train your designers, developers, and content creators on best practices. For instance, teach designers to create layouts that are easy to navigate and show writers how to craft accessible content. These small efforts add up to big improvements.

User Testing and Feedback

Test your site with people who use assistive technologies. They’ll help you spot issues you might miss. Even if you follow all the guidelines, real-world feedback is invaluable.

Scaling Your Efforts: Advanced Solutions for Accessibility

As your organization grows, your accessibility efforts can too. Here are some ideas for taking things to the next level:

Accessibility Center of Excellence

For larger organizations, consider creating a team dedicated to accessibility. This group can handle audits, provide training, and ensure best practices are followed. Making accessibility part of your culture keeps it at the forefront.

Automation and Tools

Manually checking every page for accessibility issues can be tough. Tools like WAVE and Google Lighthouse can help. They quickly identify problems and suggest fixes. But remember, these tools work best alongside manual reviews and user feedback.

Leading Innovations and Setting Industry Standards

Once you’ve mastered the basics, consider pushing boundaries. Could voice navigation help your users? Are there new technologies you can try? Sharing what you learn and advocating for accessibility can inspire others in your industry.

Moving Forward: Accessibility as an Ongoing Process

Accessibility isn’t a one-time task. As technology changes, so do the needs of your users. Regular updates and reviews keep your site inclusive. Services like Accessibility Radar (a11y.Radar) can help by providing ongoing monitoring and insights to maintain compliance. Stay informed about changes to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and WCAG guidelines. By staying proactive, you’ll ensure your site works for everyone.

Final Thoughts

Making your digital space accessible isn’t just the right thing to do—it’s smart. Start with small changes and build from there. Think of accessibility as a journey, not a destination. Every step forward makes the internet a better place for everyone.

Take action now, plan for the future, and keep innovating. The work you do today will make a lasting difference. Let’s build a more inclusive web together. Schedule an ADA briefing with 216digital to start your journey towards digital accessibility. Use the contact form below to get started.