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.

Clive is 54 years old and has hazel eyes. What little hair he has left is mostly brown, whereas his stubble has far more grey in it. He is wearing a dark blue hoodie and is smiling. His hoodie has Saints emblazoned on it, which is the nickname of his favourite football team, Southampton, who finally seem to be on a decent winning streak in the Championship, after a rather shaky start.

What should be in an Alt tag?

Posted on 9 November 2023

What is an Alt Tag? An Alt Tag is a tag that is attached to an image that helps a...

Breaking the Law!!

Posted on 2 November 2023

I hate Cookie Banners I do not dislike them. I hate them. They have set Website Accessibility back 10 years.However,...

A cat is relaxing in a treatment room in a spa. Its head is reasting on a rolled up flannel and it has a towel covered its body. It looks calm and peaceful. The words Confirmation Bias are above it.

Confirmation Bias

Posted on 12 October 2023

A pat on the back I would guess that we all like to know we are doing something right. It...

A Weimaraner, a large and sleek grey dog, is in the foreground looking confused. There is a busy office in the background.

The Importance of Website Accessibility

Posted on 3 October 2023

Ensuring Inclusivity and Compliance In today's digital age, having an online presence is essential for individuals, businesses, and organizations of...

Hand-drawn map lying on grass next to a bow and arrow. The map shows a river, trees, mountains and a dotted line meandering across it, leading to a big red X.

We are going on a scavenger hunt!

Posted on 28 September 2023

Have you ever been on a scavenger hunt? It is an exciting and interactive recreational game in which participants work...

On the left is a screenshot of the Access by Design website, showing their accessibility tool, navigation, and a large interactive graphic displaying some of their portfolio. If a mouse hovers over any one of them, it is raised gently and settles down again as the mouse moves away from it. On the right is a screenshot of the same website in a plain format, with all of the accessibility options, page links and text over a plain white background

How do you balance aesthetics with accessibility?

Posted on 26 September 2023

Two images, same website There are two images above. The image on the left is of our website. The image...

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

The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, otherwise known as WCAG

Posted on 31 August 2023

What are the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines? This is perhaps the most common starting point when you first come across...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...