Accessibility isn’t a mystery. But it is a moving target. With new laws going into effect globally—EAA in the EU, stricter ADA interpretations in the U.S., expanding AODA requirements in Canada, and rising enforcement across the board—businesses can’t afford to treat accessibility like an afterthought.
What used to be a “fix it if you have time” issue is now a compliance mandate in many industries. And the bar has been raised: accessibility in 2025 means building inclusive digital experiences for users with visual, auditory, cognitive, physical, and neurological differences.
Here’s how to actually do that—whether you’re building something new or fixing what you’ve already got.
1. Use Semantic HTML
It’s basic, but foundational. Use elements like <header>, <main>, <button>, <nav>, and <article> properly. Why?
Because assistive technologies, like screen readers and voice navigation tools, rely on these semantic cues to help users navigate. A <div> can’t tell a blind user anything. A properly used <button> can.
Pro tip: Semantic HTML isn’t just good for accessibility. It’s also good for SEO and for dev sanity.
2. Include ARIA Roles (Where Needed)
Accessible Rich Internet Applications (ARIA) help bridge the gap when native HTML falls short, especially for interactive components like modals, sliders, and dynamic content.
Roles like aria-label, aria-expanded, and aria-hidden can clarify structure and behavior for users navigating with assistive tech. But be careful: overusing ARIA or applying it incorrectly can actually break accessibility. It’s not a cure-all—think of it as a scalpel, not a sledgehammer.
3. Write Descriptive Alt Text
Alternative (alt) text is the description of an image that screen readers read aloud. It’s also what search engines use to understand visual content. In 2025, image recognition tools are more advanced, but that doesn’t mean you get to skip writing alt text. In fact, the legal and ethical expectation is that every non-decorative image has accurate, helpful alt text.
- Good alt text: “Woman using voice navigation on smartphone in a park”
- Bad alt text: “Image123.jpg” or “Photo of stuff”
Decorative images? Mark them as such using alt=”” to prevent screen reader noise.
4. Design for Keyboard Navigation
Not everyone can—or wants to—use a mouse. Some users rely on keyboards, switch devices, or voice tools. Your site should be fully usable without a mouse, which means:
- Tab navigation should follow logical order.
- All links, forms, and buttons must be reachable by keyboard.
- Visible focus indicators (like outlines or color changes) must be present for each interactive element.
This isn’t optional anymore. It’s a WCAG requirement, and courts are treating it that way.
5. Offer Adjustable Visual Settings
This is where things are getting interesting.
In the past, “accessibility” was all on the dev side. Today, we can also hand control to the user, with adjustable front-end visual settings that improve usability for everyone.
We’re talking about:
- Font size controls
- Light/dark modes
- High contrast toggle
- Line spacing and word spacing adjustments
- Motion toggle for users with vestibular disorders
These settings matter for users with dyslexia, ADHD, migraines, and low vision. But they also improve the experience for anyone reading your site in bright sunlight or late at night.
Bonus: These UX improvements reduce bounce rates. Everybody wins.
6. Provide Captions and Transcripts
If your content includes audio or video, it needs captions—full stop.
- Captions make audio content accessible to Deaf and hard-of-hearing users.
- Transcripts make podcasts, webinars, and explainer videos accessible to anyone who can’t watch or listen.
- Live captioning tools are becoming increasingly available and expected, especially during webinars or livestreams.
In Europe and Canada, captioning requirements are already enshrined in law. In the U.S., ADA lawsuits increasingly cite missing or inaccurate captions as grounds for discrimination.
7. Avoid Auto-Playing Media
Please. Don’t.
Auto-playing audio or video content can cause issues for users with sensory sensitivities, seizure disorders, or slower internet connections. Even for neurotypical users, it’s frustrating.
WCAG guidelines recommend that all media:
- Does not play automatically
- Includes clearly visible and accessible playback controls
- Does not flash more than three times per second
This isn’t just a “good practice” anymore—it’s baked into laws like the European Accessibility Act and even the ADA’s Title II interpretation.
8. Use Clear, Simple Language
You don’t need to dumb it down. You just need to say what you mean.
Plain language helps everyone, especially users with cognitive or learning disabilities, those with limited literacy, and those navigating your site in a second language.
- Use short sentences.
- Avoid idioms, jargon, and unnecessary metaphors.
- Use descriptive link text (not just “click here”).
- Break up text with headings and bullet points.
Accessible content is readable content. And readable content performs better. Go figure.
9. Test Continuously
You can’t fix what you don’t measure. Regular accessibility testing should be part of your QA workflow, not a one-time checklist.
Use tools like:
- WAVE
- axe DevTools
- Lighthouse
- accessScan
- Pa11y
But don’t stop there. Automated tools only catch about 30–50% of issues. Combine that with manual testing and real-user feedback.
What does that look like?
- Test with screen readers like NVDA or JAWS.
- Try keyboard-only navigation.
- Ask users with disabilities to test real scenarios.
If you’re global? You might also want to run region-specific tests for compliance with laws like the EAA, AODA, or DDA.
The Business Case for Accessibility (Yes, Still Very Real)
Accessibility doesn’t just keep you out of court. It brings people in. In 2025, accessible websites:
- Perform better in organic search (thanks, semantic HTML!)
- Convert better across all devices and user types
- Reduce bounce rates
- Support brand reputation and ESG goals
- Reach the 1B+ people worldwide living with a disability
- Future-proof your site for legal compliance
Add AI to the mix, and things only get better. You can now:
- Auto-generate alt text (with human review)
- Analyze user patterns for accessibility gaps
- Personalize accessibility settings based on user behavior
This isn’t about building two websites. It’s about building one good one for everyone.
Getting Started: Your Accessibility Action Plan
So now you’re in. Where do you start?
Step 1: Run an Accessibility Audit
Scan your current site with tools like WAVE, Axe, and Lighthouse. Then categorize the issues:
- High risk: legal/compliance problems
- Medium risk: usability problems
- Low risk: enhancements
This gives you a prioritized roadmap.
Step 2: Prioritize WCAG Compliance
WCAG 2.1 AA is the baseline standard for:
Start there, and build up as needed for your markets.
Step 3: Set Internal Policies
Don’t wait for a lawsuit to decide who owns accessibility.
- Assign accessibility responsibilities to specific roles.
- Create guidelines for dev, content, and design teams.
- Bake accessibility into your acceptance criteria for all releases.
Step 4: Use an Accessibility Widget (To Start)
Tools like accessiBe and UserWay can quickly improve accessibility for smaller sites.
But don’t stop there—they’re a good start, not a full solution. Use them to buy time while you work toward a fully accessible codebase.
Step 5: Test with Real Users
Include accessibility testers—especially those who use assistive tech—in your QA process. Their feedback is your fastest route to real-world usability.
Step 6: Build Accessibility Into New Projects
Accessibility is cheapest and most effective at the beginning of a project. You need to:
- Train your team.
- Set clear standards.
- Make inclusive design your default.
The Future Is Inclusive—Whether You’re Ready or Not
Accessibility isn’t a temporary trend. It’s the future of digital. In 2025 and beyond, inclusive design is the new standard. Sites that ignore accessibility will be left behind by users, by search engines, and by regulators.
So don’t wait for a fine or a lawsuit to get your site together. Fix it now. Not because you have to—but because it’s the right move for your users, your brand, and your business.
Want help creating digital experiences that actually work for everyone?
Unibit Solutions helps businesses stay ahead—strategically, accessibly, and intelligently.
Let’s build something everyone can use.