“The power of the Web is in its universality. Access by everyone regardless of disability is an essential aspect.”
In today’s digital era, accessibility isn’t optional — it’s fundamental. Every button we design, every color we choose, and every line of code we write shapes someone’s experience of the world.
Accessibility means making sure everyone — including people with disabilities — can use, understand, and interact with your website or app. It’s not just about compliance; it’s about empathy in engineering.
► Legal Compliance
Accessibility is no longer a “nice-to-have.” It’s the law. Lawsuits over inaccessible websites and apps have skyrocketed in recent years. The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) are now as standard as HTML and CSS.
Failing to comply doesn’t just alienate users — it can drag your company into court. The EU Web Accessibility Directive (2016/2102) and the European Accessibility Act (EAA) make accessibility a legal requirement for digital products and services in the EU.
The EAA became fully enforceable on June 28, 2025. Member States had to integrate it into national law by June 28, 2022, making accessibility mandatory for most public and private digital services.
► Ethical Responsibility
Roughly 1 in 5 people have a disability. That’s not a small group — that’s 20% of your potential users.
Accessibility is about inviting them in, not shutting them out.
It’s how you build a brand rooted in empathy, respect, and inclusion.
When your app says “everyone’s welcome” — make sure your code agrees.
► Improved User Experience for All
Accessibility improvements help everyone — not just those with disabilities.
Accessibility is usability. When you make your product accessible, you make it better for every human who touches it.
Making sure your website is accessible is a case of understanding the key principles, and using them to qualify all of your design decisions. Accessibility has four key principles – ask yourself if your website is…
Perceivable? Can your website be accessed through sight, hearing, and/or touch?
Operable? Is your website versatile in its compatibility with a keyboard, mouse, or other technology?
Understandable? Is the content of your website easy to understand, follow, and navigate?
Robust? Does your website work across browsers and devices, and is it compatible with assistive
technologies?
1. Add Alternative Text
Whenever you use non-text elements (like images, icons, or multimedia), always provide a text equivalent so assistive technologies can convey that information.
Do this:
2. Do Not Depend on a Single Sense
Don’t rely solely on color, shape, sound, or position to communicate meaning.
Avoid:
Instead:
3. Organize and Structure Content
Divide information into logical sections using semantic elements like <h1>, <h2> and <p>. This helps assistive technologies understand the document’s flow and lets users navigate efficiently.
Think of headings as a roadmap — don’t make your visitors explore blind alleys.
4. Ensure Keyboard Access
Many users rely solely on a keyboard. Every part of your website must be usable without a mouse.
Avoid:
Do:
5. Give Users Enough Time
People read, think, and act at different speeds.
Avoid:
Do:
6. Don’t Create Content That Interferes with Access
Auto-playing audio can interrupt screen readers, and unexpected pop-ups can disorient users.
Avoid:
Do:
7. Identify Hyperlinks and Content Clearly
Use short, descriptive link text that tells users exactly where the link leads. “Click here” tells no story — “Download annual report (PDF)” does.
8. Use Consistent Interfaces
Consistency reduces cognitive load. Keep buttons, navigation, and colors predictable across your site or app. When users know what to expect, they can focus on content, not confusion.
9. Help Users Avoid Mistakes
Mistakes happen — your interface should handle them gracefully.
Avoid:
Accessibility principles extend beyond the browser. For iOS and Android developers, here’s what to remember:
Starting June 28, 2025, accessibility becomes mandatory across the EU for a wide range of digital products and services — not just government websites.
This includes:
If your company serves European users, it’s time to check compliance now.
► Web
► Mobile
Accessibility isn’t just about compliance — it’s about compassion. It’s how we, as developers and designers, say: “Everyone belongs here.”
When you write accessible code, you’re not just improving your app — you’re improving someone’s life.So whether you’re shipping a mobile app, or a web site, remember: Great developers don’t just write clean code — they write kind code.
