Web Accessibility Explained

Accessibility isn't optional.
It's opportunity.

Over a billion people worldwide live with some form of disability. When your website isn't accessible, you're not just excluding users — you're leaving revenue, reach, and reputation on the table.

Talk to an Accessibility Expert

The Basics

What is web accessibility?

Web accessibility means designing and building digital experiences that anyone can use — including people with visual, auditory, motor, or cognitive disabilities. It's the practice of removing barriers so that everyone has equal access to information and functionality online.

The global standard for web accessibility is the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) — a set of technical criteria organized around four principles: content must be Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, and Robust. WCAG 2.1 Level AA is the benchmark recognized by the ADA, Section 508, and most international regulations.

In plain terms: accessible websites work with screen readers, keyboard navigation, captions, and high-contrast displays — and they're easier for everyone to use as a result.

Visual Disabilities

Blindness, low vision, and color blindness — addressed through alt text, contrast ratios, and screen reader compatibility.

Auditory Disabilities

Deafness and hearing loss — addressed through captions, transcripts, and visual alternatives to audio content.

Motor Disabilities

Limited mobility and motor control — addressed through full keyboard navigability and large, easy-to-activate targets.

Cognitive Disabilities

Dyslexia, ADHD, and cognitive differences — addressed through clear language, predictable layouts, and reduced motion.

By the Numbers

The scale of the opportunity

These aren't edge cases. This is a significant, underserved audience actively seeking the products and services you provide.

1.3B People globally live with a significant disability — roughly 1 in 6 of the world's population.
$13T Annual disposable income controlled by people with disabilities and their immediate circles of influence.
70%+ Of users with disabilities will leave a website immediately if it's too difficult to use.
97% Of the top one million websites have detectable WCAG failures — the gap is enormous, and so is the competitive advantage.

Legal Landscape

Accessibility is not just a best practice — in many contexts it's a legal requirement. Here are the key frameworks we work with.

Global Standard

WCAG 2.1 (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines)

Published by the W3C, WCAG is the international benchmark for web accessibility. Level AA conformance is the most widely required threshold and the one we target in all our work.

United States

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

Courts have increasingly applied the ADA — originally written for physical spaces — to websites and digital products. ADA website lawsuits have grown significantly year over year. Compliance is protection.

Federal & Government

Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act

Federal agencies and organizations that receive federal funding are required by law to make their electronic and information technology accessible to people with disabilities.

European Union

European Accessibility Act (EAA)

Effective June 2025, the EAA requires businesses operating in the EU to meet accessibility standards for key digital products and services. Global businesses need to act now.

The Business Case

Inclusive design is good business

Beyond the legal and moral imperative, accessible design consistently delivers measurable returns. The features built for users with disabilities — clear navigation, readable text, keyboard support — improve the experience for everyone.

Search engines index accessible content more effectively. Accessible sites load faster. And a reputation for inclusivity drives loyalty in ways that paid advertising can't.

  • Expanded market reach Tap into an audience of 1.3 billion people who need what you offer.
  • Reduced legal risk Proactive compliance is far less expensive than litigation.
  • Improved SEO Alt text, semantic HTML, and clear structure all boost search rankings.
  • Better UX for everyone Curb cuts help wheelchair users and parents with strollers alike.
  • Brand reputation Consumers increasingly choose businesses that demonstrate social responsibility.
  • Future-proofing Building right today means lower remediation costs as standards evolve.

Our Approach

How AI is transforming accessibility work

AI tools now allow us to scan entire codebases for accessibility issues in minutes, generate accessible alternative text at scale, and model how users with different disabilities experience a digital product.

At BE MY A11Y, we pair AI-powered efficiency with human expertise — so you get speed without sacrificing accuracy or context. Every automated finding is reviewed by a person who understands what it means in practice.

Speed at scale

AI scans surface hundreds of potential barriers across an entire codebase in minutes — work that would take days manually.

Human review, always

Every automated finding is reviewed by an accessibility expert who understands context, intent, and real-world impact.

Continuous improvement

Automated monitoring catches regressions as your product evolves — keeping compliance from sliding after launch.

Common Questions

Accessibility questions, answered

Straight answers to the questions we hear most — no jargon.

What is web accessibility?
Web accessibility means designing and building digital experiences that anyone can use — including people with visual, auditory, motor, or cognitive disabilities. It is the practice of removing barriers so everyone has equal access to information and functionality online. The global standard is WCAG 2.1, published by the W3C.
What is WCAG 2.1 and what does Level AA mean?
WCAG 2.1 (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) is the international accessibility standard organized around four principles — Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, and Robust (POUR). Level AA is the most widely required conformance threshold, recognized by the ADA, Section 508, and most international regulations. It covers contrast ratios, keyboard navigability, alt text, captions, and dozens of other criteria.
Is my website legally required to be accessible?
For many businesses, yes. Courts have increasingly applied the ADA to websites and digital products, and ADA website lawsuits have grown significantly year over year. Federal agencies and organizations receiving federal funding must meet Section 508 standards. The European Accessibility Act (effective June 2025) adds requirements for businesses operating in the EU. Proactive compliance is far less expensive than litigation.
What is the difference between ADA compliance and WCAG compliance?
The ADA is U.S. law that prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities — including in digital spaces. WCAG is the technical standard that defines how to build accessible digital experiences. Courts and regulators use WCAG 2.1 Level AA as the benchmark for ADA compliance. Meeting WCAG 2.1 AA is the most practical way to achieve and demonstrate ADA compliance for your website.
How do I know if my website is accessible?
The most reliable assessment combines automated scanning and manual expert review. Automated tools detect approximately 30–40% of WCAG issues — the rest require human judgment. BE MY A11Y provides comprehensive audits that cover both, delivering a prioritized, plain-language remediation report. Start with a free consultation.
What happens if my website is not accessible?
An inaccessible website can result in ADA lawsuits, exclusion of the 1.3 billion people globally who live with disabilities, lost revenue from an audience controlling $13 trillion in annual spending power, poorer search rankings due to missing semantic structure, and reputational damage among socially conscious consumers.

Ready to make your site accessible?

Start with a free consultation. We'll assess where you are, explain what's required, and map a practical path forward — no jargon, no pressure.

Get a Free Accessibility Assessment

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