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Our Latest Blogs

Digital Accessibility is a fascinating, complex subject that can seem to be quite scary but actually, the principles of it are quite logical and straightforward.

The biggest challenge we find is getting people started on their digital accessibility journey.

We love sharing our experiences and our thoughts through this blog.

Whether it is looking at accessible web design, an accessibility audit or any other aspect of digital accessibility, we hope that you find them interesting and engaging.

 

A concrete ramp next to a concrete stair on a University Campus

A staircase and a ramp are both OK!

Posted on 3 August 2023

A perfect world? We would all love it if we lived in a world where every website or web portal...

A web page containing an image of a young girl drinking from a mug. A beautiful dog is peacefully asleep on her lap. An arrow is pointing to a larger version of the same image.

Are having featured images on a web page important?

Posted on 27 July 2023

Asking ChatGPT I asked ChatGPT had to say and it gave me some excellent answers, including why adding an Alt...

Graphic with Devops Logo and Tricentis Logo, Text reads Accessibility in Software Development and Testing. Photos of the participants, from left to right: Simona Domazetoska, Senior Product Marketing Manager – Tricentis,  Paloma Oliveira, Developer Advocate, Software Engineer - Sauce Labs Scott Jehl, Web Product Designer & Developer Clive Loseby, Global Leader in Website Accessibility for Disabled People - Access By Design Alan Shimel, Founder & CEO - Techstrong Group

Website Accessibility Webinar

Posted on 20 July 2023

It is always wonderful meeting like-minded people! It was such a privilege to take part in a webinar about a...

A lit lightbulb, floating in the air. 4 unlit lightbulbs lie on the floor below it

What will a website accessibility audit give me?

Posted on 19 July 2023

Understanding why A website accessibility audit will provide you with valuable insights into the accessibility of your website for users...

A happy cartoon monkey is hanging from a vine. The text reads: Filename: mky4653.jpg

Please do not use Filenames as Alt Text

Posted on 6 July 2023

Hopefully, most of us have heard of Alt Text and how important it is. It is used to provide...

2 screenshots of the AA breakdown mobile website, containing the details of the car breakdown. The right-hand one was taken when the screen was pulled up, showing the extra text “No longer need assistance?” and the following link, in red: “Cancel this help request”.

Overlays do not just affect disabled people!

Posted on 29 June 2023

A great start to the week! Monday morning. My car won’t start and I have a one-hour drive home ahead...

a leaflet containing text and graphics, each section of it has a number. The numbers are all over the document in a seemingly random order

Logical Reading Order

Posted on 22 June 2023

What does a Logical Reading Order mean?

Scottish Parliament Website Expenses Tool Page. A large arrow is pointing to the opened accessibility toolbar

Imitation is the highest form of flattery!

Posted on 21 June 2023

That accessibility tool looks familiar! In my last blog, I detailed my recent journey with the Scottish Parliament in developing...

The Scottish Parliament, a modern building with water features in front of it

Helping the Scottish Parliament with their Digital Accessibility

Posted on 19 June 2023

A very different experience We usually get called in to work with an organisation after launching their website, often up...

Cartoon of a large laptop screen with a rocket in front of it, two human figures, one sitting on top, one standing in front. The text reads Understanding Web Analytics: Using Data to Improve Your Website's Performance

Understanding Web Analytics: Using Data to Improve Your Website's Performance

Posted on 10 June 2023

Web analytics is essential for any business or organization with a website. It involves collecting and analyzing data on...

Alt: part of a web page with several links, text reads “Underlined but it is not a link”, “Underlined link but  disappears when the mouse moves over it” , “Link but not underlined and does not change when mouse is moved over it”

Let’s talk about Links

Posted on 8 June 2023

Website accessibility audit for an NHS Trust I have just finished an audit for an NHS Health Trust. Generally, the...

Birthday cake with the number 17 on it

Today is a day of triple celebration!

Posted on 18 May 2023

By the strangest of coincidences, 3 events are happening today. What is happening? Firstly, today is Global Accessibility Awareness Day! It...

A close-up of the blown-out car tyre and the kerb that was hit by the car in June 1989 that Clive, Jess and their friends were in

Once upon a time, 34 years ago…

Posted on 11 May 2023

A life-changing event 4 teenagers come out of a club in Brighton at 2am. The driver felt he had too...

Our accessibility toolbar with the options on display

Our Accessiblity Toolbar

Posted on 10 May 2023

We do this as standard! Ever since 2006, when we created our first fully accessible website, we have always created...

A hand coming out of a wall, palm outwards. Text reads No AltText Allowed!

“We don’t allow Alt text”

Posted on 27 April 2023

An extensive digital accessibility review I was talking to one of my clients yesterday that I had done a large...

Blue Badge Access Awards Logo Bespoke Hotels Blue Badge Style

The Blue Badge Access Awards 2023 have now been launched, with a new website!

Posted on 26 April 2023

What are the Blue Badge Access Awards? The Blue Badge Access Awards has been setting the Gold Standard for Access...

Small Awards Shortlisted Badge 2023

Access by Design shortlisted for Small Award!

Posted on 30 March 2023

The Digital Star Award We are very proud to announce that we have been has been shortlisted for the Digital...

A woman sitting down holding an iPad

How to Migrate Your Business Online

Posted on 14 March 2023

The consequences of the deadly epidemic have been truly harsh on people. However, certain reports reveal a considerable increase...

Two satsumas. The one on the right has been peeled. The one on the left has the shape of a person sitting on top of it, created from the peelings.

Expanding our team again in a different way!

Posted on 2 March 2023

Live website audits One of my favourite parts of what I do is working with my Team on the Live...

A rainbow in front of dark grey clouds, a lightning bolt is in front of it

Enlightening and horrifying!

Posted on 23 February 2023

I would like to share a comment I received on Monday from a web developer after I presented them...

Photos of the Access by Design Audit Team: Iona, Mede, Sara, Krista and Lleona

LinkedIn tried to become more accessible and it sadly backfired

Posted on 16 February 2023

LinkedIn has decided to automatically add an alt tag when you post with an image.A commendable attempt to improve...

The Access by Design Website Accessibility Audit Team: Krista (Superpower: Blind, Weapon: JAWs Screen Reader),  Mede (Superpower: Blind, Weapon: JAWs Screen Reader),  Iona (Superpower: Cannot use hands, Weapon: Dragon Dictation),  Sara (Superpower: Neurodivergent, Weapon: Dark Mode), Lleona (Superpower: Blind, Weapon: NVDA Screen Reader),

Let me ask you a question

Posted on

If you truly wanted to find out how accessible your website is for disabled people, does it...

A sepia photo of a set of railway tracks. The words A train is coming is displayed over the front of it.

The European Accessibility Act

Posted on 9 February 2023

The train is coming. The European Accessibility Act comes into force on the 28th June 2025. At this point, website...

Two cookies, next to the words cookie banner with a big red cross over it

What happens when you fall at the first hurdle?

Posted on 7 February 2023

Accessibility audit for a sixth form college I completed a website accessibility audit with a college recently. Like other...