The Importance of Accessibility in Website Design
Accessibility in web design is more than just a best practice—it’s personal. In 2022, my mom was diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury (TBI), and through her journey, I quickly realized how many everyday things, including websites, are not as accessible as they should be. Navigating the digital world became frustrating for her due to overwhelming layouts, excessive animations, and poor readability. This experience completely shifted my perspective and when I transitioned my career to web design, it made me deeply committed to designing websites that are easy to use, clear, and welcoming for everyone.
Because of this, I gravitate toward minimalist designs with minimal animations, ensuring that websites remain visually appealing without being overwhelming or difficult to navigate. My goal is to create digital spaces that are not just beautiful but also functional, user-friendly, and truly inclusive.
Why Does Accessibility Matter?
First and foremost, it’s about creating an inclusive digital space. Approximately 15% of the global population lives with a disability. That’s a significant portion of potential clients, customers, and community members for all businesses. Designing with accessibility in mind ensures that your website is welcoming and usable for everyone.
From a business perspective, accessibility also broadens your reach. When a website is designed to be accessible, it improves usability for all visitors. Features like clear navigation, readable fonts, and optimized performance not only support those with disabilities but also enhance the overall user experience. Plus, search engines like Google prioritize accessible websites, which can boost your SEO and help more people discover your business.
How Squarespace Supports Accessibility
One of the reasons I chose Squarespace as my go-to platform is because of its built-in accessibility features. Unlike some other website builders that require third-party plugins or extensive coding to meet accessibility standards, Squarespace incorporates many essential accessibility tools right out of the box.
Here’s how Squarespace helps create more accessible websites:
Responsive Design: All Squarespace templates are mobile-friendly and adjust automatically to different screen sizes, ensuring a seamless experience for users with visual impairments.
Keyboard Navigation: Squarespace sites are designed to be navigable via keyboard, an essential feature for users who rely on assistive technologies.
Alt Text for Images: Adding alt text to images is straightforward in Squarespace, allowing screen readers to describe visuals to visually impaired users.
Clear Typography & Color Contrast: Squarespace’s templates are built with clean, readable typography and allow customization to meet WCAG contrast guidelines.
Accessible Forms & Buttons: Forms and interactive elements are coded for usability, ensuring that users relying on assistive tech can engage with content without issues.
ARIA Labels & Semantic HTML: Squarespace adheres to best coding practices, making websites more understandable to assistive technologies.
While accessibility still requires thoughtful implementation from the designer, starting with a platform that prioritizes inclusivity makes a huge difference. With Squarespace, I can build beautiful, functional, and accessible websites more efficiently, ensuring my clients are set up for success from the start.
My Approach to Accessibility in Web Design
Beyond choosing an accessible platform, I take additional steps to ensure the websites I build are truly inclusive. This includes:
Structuring content with proper headings for screen readers.
Ensuring interactive elements are easily clickable and keyboard-friendly.
Providing descriptive alt text for all images and media.
Testing color contrast for readability.
Picking fonts that are easy to read without compromising design
Avoiding auto-playing media that may disrupt user experience.
Using simple, intuitive navigation to enhance usability for all users.
Designing an Accessible Web for Everyone
Incorporating accessibility into web design is not just a trend—it’s a responsibility. As our world becomes increasingly digital, ensuring that everyone has equal access to online spaces is crucial. It demonstrates respect for all individuals and helps build trust with your audience.
With Squarespace’s built-in accessibility features and my commitment to inclusive design, I help small business owners create websites that are welcoming, functional, and user-friendly for all.
If you’d like to learn more about how I can help you create an inclusive, accessible online presence, let’s connect!
