The Importance of Accessibility in Web Design and the Vital Role of UX
What is the European Accessibility Act?
In 2019 the EU passed The European Accessibility Act. It’s a wide ranging piece of legislation aimed at ensuring products and services are accessible to individuals with disabilities.
It covers all sorts of consumer goods and services, from electronics to transport. A major element is enhanced digital accessibility. Businesses need to make sure their digital platforms – websites as well as apps – facilitate equal access for all users.
As of June 2025, this new Act will be enforced for any new product or service. (Pre-existing products or services have an extra five years to prepare. And although ‘micro-enterprises’ of under €2 million turnover are exempt, they are encouraged to comply too).
As with other EU Acts – such as the recent EU AI Act – this is not just aimed at businesses that are located with the EU. It also covers those that operate there. Which is most firms that provide digital services. Non-compliance will be met with fines – and in extreme cases even risk being suspended from EU markets.
However, there's no need to be alarmed just yet. There a plenty of ways to comply with these new regulations. More importantly, accessible web-design is something that companies should be doing anyway – and ultimately will help improve business outcomes too.
Common issues with web accessibility
Accessibility in design involves creating websites and applications that are usable by people of all abilities, both physical and cognitive. Despite the growing awareness, many websites and digital products still face significant accessibility issues which can alienate a substantial portion of the population.
It’s rarely done with malice of course – rather websites designers aren’t always aware of how important even seemingly minor design choices can be for users with additional difficulties. Some of the most common problems include:
Inappropriate alternative text for images
Many websites fail to provide descriptive alt text for images, making it difficult for visually impaired users to understand the content.
Poor colour contrast
Insufficient contrast between text and background can make reading difficult for users with visual impairments.
Inconsistent heading hierarchy
A confusing heading structure can hinder navigation for users relying on screen readers.
Keyboard accessibility
Websites that cannot be navigated using a keyboard alone exclude users who cannot use a mouse. For instance, pop-up notifications that cannot be dismissed with a keystroke.
Lack of captions for videos
Videos without captions are inaccessible to hearing-impaired users.
These issues – which to the majority of users are likely to go unnoticed – create everything from minor inconveniences to major barriers that prevent users from accessing content entirely. Don’t believe me? Look at these examples below – and try to see it through the eyes of someone with visibility issues.
How to make a website accessible
Organisations can take several practical steps to improve the accessibility of their websites and applications. For example, we recommend that firms conduct ‘Accessibility Audits’, which can help identify and address accessibility issues; and use assistive technologies – such as screen readers and voice recognition software. And of course, training can educate teams on the importance of accessibility and that various tools that are out there.
More profoundly, the issue of accessibility is probably best addressed by understanding design through the lens of user experience professional, or ‘UX designer’. UX designers prioritise understanding the needs and limitations of all users. This empathy-driven approach ensures that accessibility is integrated into the design process from the start The State of Web Accessibility in 2024 (Research Report).
Not only can good UX play a crucial role in addressing accessibility issues, it focuses on creating intuitive, efficient, and enjoyable experiences for all users – which ultimately is good for business too.
Principles of UX design
There are several ways that UX design can help improve usability. Even relatively simple changes can result in a transformation in how users are able to access and use a site or app. For example:
1. Accessibility
Make your design accessible to all users, including those with disabilities. Use clear language, provide text alternatives for images, and ensure your site is navigable via keyboard.
2. User-centred design
Prioritize the needs, preferences, and behaviours of your users. Conduct user research to understand their goals and pain points.
3. Consistency
Ensure that design elements are consistent across the platform. This includes fonts, colours, buttons, and navigation. Consistency helps users predict how things work.
4. Feedback
Provide immediate and clear feedback so the user knows an action is completed, or what action they need to take next. This can be through visual cues, sounds, or messages that either confirm actions or alert users to errors.
5. Simplicity
Keep the design simple and intuitive. Avoid clutter and unnecessary elements that can overwhelm users. Focus on essential features and content.
6. Mobile responsiveness
Ensure your design works well on all devices, especially mobile. A responsive design adapts to different screen sizes and orientations.
7. Performance
Time is key. Optimise your design for fast loading times. Users are likely to abandon slow websites, so ensure your site is quick and efficient.
8. Testing and iteration
Continuously test your design with real users and iterate based on feedback. Usability testing helps identify issues and areas for improvement.
There are many benefits to making these sorts of changes which go far beyond compliance with the EU’s regulations. Good UX design enhances the overall usability of your website and digital products. By addressing accessibility issues, UX designers make them easier to navigate and interact with. When done well, that benefits all users.
Indeed, accessible websites can reach a wider audience, including the estimated 15% of the global population living with some form of disabilities. This inclusivity can drive engagement and loyalty, benefiting the business. 57 Web Accessibility Statistics [Updated for 2025]
And most business might not realise that many standard accessibility practices, such as proper use of alt text and clear heading structures, also improve search engine optimization. This dual benefit means better visibility and higher rankings on search engines WebAIM: The WebAIM Million - The 2025 report on the accessibility of the top 1,000,000 home pages.
Why you should prioritise accessibility
Accessibility is not just a checkbox to be ticked; it is an essential aspect of web design that ensures inclusivity and equal access for all users. UX design plays a pivotal role in achieving this goal by creating user-centred, intuitive, and compliant digital experiences. By prioritising accessibility, organizations can enhance usability, comply with legal standards, reach a broader audience, enhance brand sentiment and improve their overall business success.
How QA can help
Learn about how we can help you can upskill in UX and web design with our UXDI courses and certifications.