Accessible Website Design
Web Page Accessibility Checker And Inclusive Design
Accessible websites are designed to work for everyone, regardless of disability, device, or level of digital confidence. Many people turn to a web page accessibility checker to scan their site, but these tools only scratch the surface. To truly understand what inclusive design involves, you need to think about real users — not just checklists. At Access by Design, we build websites that go far beyond compliance to deliver a genuinely inclusive experience.
What Is Inclusive Design And Why It Matters
Before you run a single audit, it is important to understand what inclusive design actually means. Inclusive design is the practice of designing websites that are usable by as many people as possible. That includes users with visual, cognitive, hearing, mobility and neurodivergent needs.
Features of inclusive design include:
- Adjustable text sizes
- High contrast modes
- Keyboard navigation
- Screen reader compatibility
- Logical structure and predictable layouts
Inclusive design is not an add-on. It should be built into your site from the beginning.
Beyond The Web Page Accessibility Checker: Real Inclusion
A web page accessibility checker can highlight errors in your code. It may flag missing alt text, poor contrast, or form issues. These are helpful — but limited.
Checkers cannot:
- Understand real-world usability
- Detect screen reader barriers
- Judge the clarity of your language
- Pick up on poor keyboard flow
- Evaluate PDF content
- Spot misleading labels or icons
That is why we use live user testing with disabled people, alongside manual checks. Our audits go far beyond what any automated tool can show.
Building Sites With Inclusive Design From The Ground Up
We have included the following accessibility tools on every website since 2006:
- Standard size
- Large print
- High contrast
- Text-only view
In more advanced toolbars, we now include:
- Extra large print
- Multiple colour contrast themes
- Easy Read view
These are not gimmicks. They help people use your site with ease.
You can see these in action on the Disabled Peoples Archive website.
Using A Web Page Accessibility Checker Is Just Step One
Running a web page accessibility checker gives you a starting point — not a solution. True accessibility means also considering:
- Skip links for screen readers
- Mobile responsiveness
- Logical page flow and clear language
- Assistive tech compatibility
Our process goes deeper by testing with real disabled users.
What Inclusive Design Looks Like On All Devices
Responsive accessible website design ensures your content adapts to different screen sizes and devices. This is a key part of what inclusive design means in practice. Whether using a phone, tablet or screen reader, your site should be fully usable.
Why A Web Page Accessibility Checker Is Not Enough On Its Own
Legal cases continue to rise against websites that do not meet basic accessibility standards. Using a web page accessibility checker is smart — but it is not a complete strategy. Manual checks and inclusive design principles must also be applied.
Why Accessibility Matters
- Reach — Over 40 percent of the UK population benefits from accessible websites.
- SEO — Sites that are accessible perform better in search results.
- Legal Risk — Inaccessible sites risk litigation.
How To Check Your Site Today
You can start with a web page accessibility checker to flag obvious issues. But then ask deeper questions:
- Can a screen reader skip the menu?
- Are all images labelled properly?
- Is there good colour contrast?
- Does every user know what page they are on?
If not, we can help.
What You Should Never Do
Do not use accessibility overlays or plugins that claim to fix everything with one line of code. They do not work. They often block users, introduce bugs, and increase your legal risk.
Why accessibility plugins are a bad idea
Internal And External Links
Book a proper web audit
Contact us to improve your website
Disabled Peoples Archive
Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)
Why Choose Access by Design?
We were pioneers in inclusive website layout long before it was required. We continue to lead by combining smart development, real-world testing, and a deep commitment to inclusion.
We can help you move beyond checkers and into a future where everyone can access your site — and feel welcome when they get there.