Accessibility Basics That Improve Every Website

Accessibility is part of making a website work well for a wider range of visitors, devices and ways of interacting.

Clear hierarchy, readable contrast, useful labels and predictable interactions support accessibility while also making the interface easier to use overall.

Use headings to create structure

Headings organize a page visually and structurally. A clear hierarchy helps visitors scan and gives screen-reader users an efficient way to move through the content.

Headings work best when they describe the section and create a meaningful outline.

Keep contrast comfortable

Text needs enough contrast against its background to remain readable across different screens, lighting conditions and visual abilities.

Contrast matters especially for smaller text, form controls and interactive elements.

Make link text useful on its own

“View accessibility guidelines” carries meaning even when the link is read outside the surrounding paragraph.

Descriptive links help visitors understand where each link will take them, whether they’re scanning the page or using assistive technology.

Support keyboard interaction

Links, buttons and form fields need to be reachable and usable with a keyboard. Visible focus states show which element is active.

This creates a clear interaction path across different input methods.

Connect labels and instructions to form fields

Every field needs a clear label. Instructions and error messages also need to be associated with the field they describe so assistive technology can communicate the relationship.

Write alternative text with purpose

Alternative text communicates the useful information carried by an image. Decorative images can stay out of the reading flow.

Accessibility works best when these choices are part of design and development from the beginning, alongside every other decision about how the interface works.