Different ways to interact
People may navigate with a keyboard, listen with a screen reader, enlarge content, or use other tools and settings.
START WITH PEOPLE
Accessibility fundamentals
Understand digital accessibility, different ways people interact, and why barriers matter.
START WITH THE FUNDAMENTALS
What accessibility means.
Accessibility means designing and building digital experiences that people with disabilities can use. It involves how people find, understand, and interact with information—not just how a page looks.
Start with a task: finding a service, completing a form, or reading a document. Consider what could prevent someone from completing it.
Read W3C WAI’s introduction to accessibility (opens in a new tab)Information in usable forms
Meaningful image alternatives, clear structure, and text alternatives for audio can help make information available in more ways.
Accessibility throughout the work
Consider accessibility when planning, writing, designing, developing, and reviewing a digital experience.
SEE THE DIFFERENCE
Small decisions.
Real consequences.
These illustrative examples connect a design or content choice with a task someone needs to complete.
A form with clear labels
The barrier: An email field relies only on placeholder text that disappears when someone types.
A better approach: Keep a visible label and associate it with the field. Put any required format instructions where people can find them.
A link with a clear purpose
The barrier: Several links say “Click here,” leaving their destinations unclear.
A better approach: Use wording such as “View delivery options” so the link communicates what someone can expect.
A task without a mouse
The barrier: A delivery-options panel opens only when someone points at it.
A better approach: Make its controls usable from a keyboard and keep the current focus position visible.
Further reading: W3C WAI tips for accessible writing (opens in a new tab) and W3C WAI Easy Checks (opens in a new tab).
TRY A FIRST REVIEW
Choose one task.
Follow it through.
Pick a familiar task, such as finding delivery information or submitting an enquiry. Begin with the questions below and record anything that needs further investigation.
A short review can reveal barriers, but it cannot establish that the whole experience meets accessibility requirements.
A practical starting sequence
- Define the task. Write down what a person needs to achieve and where the task begins.
- Try keyboard navigation. Follow the controls, look for visible focus, and note anything you cannot reach or operate.
- Enlarge the content. Look for missing text, overlapping controls, or information that becomes difficult to follow.
- Review the wording. Check whether headings, labels, instructions, and links make sense.
- Record the barrier. Include the steps, expected result, actual result, and the browser or device used.
BUILD ON THE BASICS
Continue with another guide.
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