In 2025, making your website accessible is more important than ever. With stricter regulations and inclusivity at the forefront, ensuring your digital platforms are accessible isn’t just the right thing to do—it’s essential. This guide will walk you through practical steps to check, measure, and document website accessibility, using tools and practices that are easy to understand and apply.

What is Website Accessibility?

Website accessibility means creating digital spaces that everyone can use, including people with disabilities. This involves accommodating a wide range of needs, whether visual, auditory, motor, or cognitive. The ultimate goal is to ensure your site works for everyone, while also meeting standards like the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2.

Step 1: Checking Your Website’s Accessibility

1. Start with Automated Tools

Today’s tools make it easy to catch accessibility issues right off the bat. Here are a few great options:

• WAVE: A browser extension that flags accessibility problems directly on your website.

• axe DevTools: A developer-friendly tool for finding and fixing issues.

• Lighthouse: Built into Chrome, it offers a simple accessibility score along with suggestions for improvement.

• Accessibility Insights: This tool dives deep into things like color contrast and keyboard navigation.

2. Do Some Manual Testing

Automated tools are helpful, but they can’t catch everything. Take the time to:

• Test Keyboard Navigation: Make sure users can move through your site using only a keyboard.

• Try Screen Readers: Tools like NVDA, JAWS, or VoiceOver simulate how visually impaired users experience your site.

• Zoom In: Check that your site’s content remains readable and functional when zoomed up to 400%.

• Check Colors: Look at your site’s color combinations to ensure text is easy to read against its background.

3. Ask Real Users

One of the best ways to spot issues is to involve people with disabilities in testing your site. Their insights can reveal usability problems you might not notice otherwise.

Step 2: Measuring Accessibility Performance

1. Understand WCAG Levels

The WCAG guidelines set three levels of compliance:

• A: Basic accessibility requirements.

• AA: The standard for most websites and a legal requirement in many regions.

• AAA: Aiming for the highest level of accessibility, though this can be tricky for all content.

Strive to meet at least the AA level.

2. Use Scoring Tools

Many accessibility tools provide a score to help you understand where you stand:

• Lighthouse: Offers an overall accessibility score out of 100.

• axe DevTools: Breaks down issues into critical, serious, and minor categories.

3. Track Your Progress

Set up regular checks to see how your site’s accessibility improves over time. This is especially important after making changes to your website.

Step 3: Documenting Accessibility Efforts

1. Write an Accessibility Statement

An accessibility statement tells visitors you care about inclusivity. Include:

• Your goals for accessibility.

• The current compliance level (e.g., WCAG 2.2 AA).

• Contact info so users can report any issues they encounter.

2. Keep an Audit Log

Maintain a clear record of your accessibility efforts:

• Dates: When audits were conducted.

• Tools Used: The software and methods you applied.

• Findings: A summary of issues found.

• Fixes: How and when issues were resolved.

• Follow-Ups: Plans for future reviews.

3. Share Your Progress

Let stakeholders know how your accessibility efforts are going. Provide:

• Before-and-after snapshots of scores and metrics.

• Evidence of fixes, like updated screenshots or code samples.

• Feedback from users who benefit from your improvements.

Tips for Staying Accessible

1. Make Accessibility Part of Your Workflow Include accessibility in every step of your process, from design to development to content creation.

2. Train Your Team Help your team stay informed about accessibility best practices and the latest updates to WCAG.

3. Use AI to Your Advantage AI tools can predict potential accessibility issues early on, saving time and effort later.

4. Stay Current Accessibility standards evolve. Keep learning and adapting by following updates from organizations like the W3C.

Final Thoughts

Making your website accessible in 2025 isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s a must-have. By checking, measuring, and documenting your efforts, you’re creating a better experience for everyone. Start today, and join the movement toward a more inclusive web.

FAQs on Website Accessibility in 2025

1. Why is website accessibility important?

Website accessibility ensures everyone, including people with disabilities, can access and interact with your site. It’s also often a legal requirement and improves your site’s overall user experience.

2. What are the WCAG guidelines?

The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) are internationally recognized standards for making web content accessible to everyone. They include levels A, AA, and AAA, with AA being the standard most organizations aim for.

3. What tools can I use to check accessibility?

Popular tools include WAVE, axe DevTools, Lighthouse, and Accessibility Insights. These tools help identify and fix accessibility issues on your site.

4. How often should I test my website for accessibility?

You should test accessibility regularly, especially after making updates or changes to your website. Many organizations perform audits quarterly or annually.

5. What is an accessibility statement?

An accessibility statement is a public document on your website that outlines your commitment to accessibility, the standards you follow, and how users can report issues.

6. Can I achieve perfect accessibility?

While achieving 100% accessibility can be challenging, especially at the AAA level, aiming for continuous improvement and compliance with WCAG AA will significantly enhance your site’s usability.