Our History
Access by Design is a UK-based web design and accessibility company dedicated to creating websites that truly work for everyone. Since 2006, we have been committed to following strict wcag web guidelines to test accessibility of a website, ensuring inclusivity and compliance. Our approach uses a trusted accessibility checker combined with real user testing to uncover barriers that automated tools alone cannot detect. We believe accessibility is a foundation, not an afterthought, and our mission is to deliver digital experiences that are both beautiful and usable by all.
The Importance of WCAG Web Standards in Inclusive Design
Access by Design was founded in 2006 with a single purpose. We wanted to build websites that genuinely worked for everyone. From the start, we saw that many sites were failing to meet even basic needs. Visual clutter, poor navigation, and confusing layouts made it hard for people to access the information they needed. This became the start of our journey into wcag web development.
Our founder’s personal experience with disability led to a deep understanding of the challenges many users face. We saw how difficult it was for disabled people to interact with the digital world, and how design decisions could either support or exclude them. The aim was never to follow trends. The aim was to do the right thing. That is how Access by Design began.
How WCAG Web Guidelines Shape Our Development Process
Back then, accessibility was often misunderstood. Many assumed it could be solved by ticking a few boxes or installing a plugin. There was very little awareness of how to test accessibility of a website in a meaningful way. Most businesses used automated scans that missed the real problems. We knew that was not enough. It had to start with people, not machines.
We immersed ourselves in wcag web guidelines, learning what needed to be done and why it mattered. We developed our own WordPress framework from the ground up, with clean code and accessible design as standard. Every site we built was shaped by these principles, then tested by hand. This became the foundation of our entire approach.
Why We Test Accessibility of a Website with Real Users
As our reputation grew, so did our team. We brought in developers, testers, and accessibility experts, including disabled people whose lived experience gave us a deeper view. We refined our process for how to test accessibility of a website so that every audit was grounded in both technical accuracy and human experience. Real insight comes from lived experience, and that is why we involve disabled testers at every stage. Discover how we test websites manually with real users to find and fix barriers that automated tools miss.
By 2011, we were ready to launch our first fully accessible WordPress theme. Built to meet wcag web standards, it allowed us to scale without sacrificing quality. More importantly, it gave our clients the confidence that their sites were built with inclusion from the start.
Our Approach to How We Test Accessibility of a Website
One of the biggest shifts came when we integrated disabled user testing into every stage of our audits. No machine can simulate how it feels to navigate a complex menu with a screen reader or to tab through a form with no visible focus. To test accessibility of a website properly, we had to talk to the people using it. Their feedback changed everything.
We discovered barriers that no tool could detect. We saw how missing context, hidden content, or poor contrast could break the experience for someone relying on assistive technology. Our clients began to understand that compliance was not just a checkbox. It was a commitment to people.
Staying Ahead of Change
We now work with public and private organisations across the UK and beyond. We speak at events, lead workshops, and stay aligned with the latest wcag web developments. As laws and expectations evolve, we continue to offer clarity and support to those ready to do things properly.
To test accessibility of a website effectively, you need more than good intentions. You need structure, insight, and a willingness to listen. We bring all of that to every project. Our audits are detailed, our reports are clear, and our solutions are practical. We walk with our clients from first scan to full implementation. Our clients value the depth of our audits, the honesty of our reporting, and the clarity of our advice. Learn more about our thorough web audit services that help ensure your website meets WCAG standards.
We are proud of the impact we have made, and we are not finished yet.
Recognition and Awards
In 2011, we created the world’s first fully accessible website that was also both mobile and tablet friendly and we have been doing the same with every website built since.
This was recognised when we won the Product Innovation Award in the Observer Business Awards in 2015.
We also were Highly Commended in the Product Innovation Category at the Observer Business Awards in 2018.
We are also Winners at the Chichester and Bognor Business Awards 2024, in the Digital Excellence Category.
For the latest WCAG 2.2 standards and updates, visit w3.org.
Learn about the importance of accessibility testing at accessibilityaudit.co.uk.