A Guide to A11y: What It Is and Why It Matters

When you see or hear the term A11y, it might look like a typo or jargon, but it’s actually shorthand for “accessibility.” 

If you’re looking to improve your user experience and ensure your website, apps, and other digital platforms cater to everyone, including people with disabilities, it’s worth gaining an understanding of exactly what A11y is all about.

What is A11y?

A11y is a numeronym for “accessibility”. The “a” and “y” bookend the word, while the 11 represents the letters in between. 

In practice, A11y refers to designing and developing digital spaces that people of all abilities can use. That means considering users with visual, auditory, motor, or cognitive disabilities, as well as those navigating content in different contexts, like a slow internet connection or using a mobile device. 

At its core, A11y is about removing barriers and creating inclusive experiences where no one is left out.

The Importance of Digital Accessibility

As of 2025, 5.56 billion people are active internet users. This doesn’t exactly come as a surprise, either, as much of our lives revolve around the web.

With that being said, not every one of these users is able to have the same online experience.

The Human Case for Web Accessibility

When we talk about web accessibility, it’s easy to get caught up in rules, guidelines, and checklists, but accessibility really comes down to people. 

Imagine trying to buy groceries online but not being able to check out because the button isn’t labeled for screen readers, or missing out on important news because a video has no captions. 

For millions of people with disabilities, these are daily barriers to essential services, information, and connection. 

When you do your part to make the web accessible, it means you’re also giving everyone the same chance to participate, contribute, and belong. It’s about dignity, independence, and inclusion, which are values that benefit us all.

The Business Case for Web Accessibility

Over and above the ethical considerations, web accessibility is actually good for business too.

Roughly 1.3 billion people across the world live with some form of disability. Now, consider how many of these people are potential customers. 

Imagine how much business you’re potentially barricading by managing an inaccessible website or mobile app? 

By prioritizing web accessibility, you automatically open the door to a wider market and an audience that will be more willing to spread the word about your brand, simply because you took the time to show you value them.

A better user experience isn’t just recognized by customers, though, Google sits up and pays attention too. Web accessibility has been shown to provide a significant SEO boost, with websites seeing an average increase of 23% in organic traffic. 

Lastly, there’s the big legal elephant in the room. Web accessibility lawsuits are more common than they ever were, and the fines are large, so taking the necessary steps to comply with A11y standards pays in the long run. 

The Four Pillars of Accessibility: Understanding the POUR Principles

The POUR principles make up the framework that guides how digital content should be designed to be truly inclusive. 

• Perceivable. Information and user interface components must be presented in ways that people can perceive. That means text alternatives for images, captions for videos, and layouts that adapt to different devices or assistive technologies. If users can’t perceive your content, they can’t use it.
• Operable. Everyone should be able to interact with your site, no matter how they navigate. This could mean making sure all functionality works with a keyboard, providing enough time to complete tasks, or avoiding flashing elements that could trigger seizures.
• Understandable. Content and operation should be clear and predictable. That means using plain language, consistent navigation, and helpful error messages. If users can’t understand how your site works, they’ll struggle to engage.
• Robust. Content must be built to work across different technologies, both now and in the future. A robust site is compatible with assistive technologies like screen readers, and remains usable as browsers and devices evolve.

Practical A11y Tips for Beginners

Accessibility might sound complex, but small changes can make a big difference. Here are some simple, practical steps you can start with today:

The Power of Alt Text

Adding descriptive alt text to images helps people using screen readers understand what’s on the page and gives elements more context. Instead of leaving it blank or writing “image123,” use short, meaningful descriptions like “Golden retriever puppy playing with a tennis ball.” For decorative images, you can use a blank alt tag (alt=””), which screen readers will then skip. 

Labels, Instructions, and Error Handling

Forms can be a nightmare without proper guidance. It’s important to make sure that every field has a clear label that you provide helpful instructions (like password requirements). And should a user encounter an error, an accessible error message that explains what went wrong and how to fix it should be displayed.

Using Color Contrast to Ensure Readability

Text that blends into the background is bad design and it can make content unreadable for people with visual impairments. Aim for a strong contrast between text and background so everyone can see and read comfortably. Regular text needs a ratio of 4.5:1, while large text (18pt/14pt bold and bigger) needs a ratio of 3:1.

You can use this free Color Contrast Checker to guide you. 

Implement Keyboard Navigation

Not everyone uses a mouse. Some people rely on keyboards, switches, or voice commands to navigate a website. For this reason, it helps to test your site by navigating solely with the Tab key. If you can’t reach all the content you need to, neither can your users.

Video and Audio Transcripts and Captions

Captions and transcripts aren’t just for people who are deaf or hard of hearing; they also help anyone watching videos in noisy environments, or reading instead of listening. It’s a simple step that makes your content accessible to more people.

Your A11y Toolkit: Free Resources to Get Started

Getting started with accessibility doesn’t mean reinventing the wheel, as there are plenty of free tools and resources designed to help you along the way. Here are a few essentials to add to your toolkit:

Browser Extensions and Development Tools

Extensions like WAVE or the built-in accessibility features in Chrome DevTools can quickly highlight the issues on your site that need attention. 

At AccessibilityChecker.org, we also provide free, instant reports that show you which areas need improvement on your site. Simply enter your URL, select the country you want to scan from, and our tool will audit your website against the latest WCAG guidelines. 

Essential Reading and Guidelines

The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) are the gold standard for accessibility, which is why they form the basis of most global accessibility acts, including the ADA, AODA, EAA, and Section 508. The guidelines can look intimidating at first, but they all come down to the four core principles of WCAG. 

W3C’s Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI)

The WAI also offers tutorials, checklists, and examples that turn accessibility theory into practice. It’s a great place to learn how to apply accessibility standards in real-world projects.

In Closing

A11y isn’t a new concept, just one that’s gaining more traction and momentum, and for all the right reasons.

Web accessibility isn’t just some added extra you’re offering to website and app users. It’s a legal and ethical requirement, and one that has the potential to take your brand to places you never dreamed. 

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