What's changed
New European regulations now require websites and digital services to be accessible to people with disabilities. This isn't a future consideration anymore — it's a requirement that's already in effect. If your website serves customers in Europe, accessibility is something you need to take seriously today.
What web accessibility actually means
Web accessibility means your website works for everyone — including people who use screen readers, navigate with a keyboard instead of a mouse, or have visual impairments like color blindness. Think of it as good UX taken to its logical conclusion: a website that's truly usable by all your visitors, not just most of them. This includes things like being able to navigate your entire site without a mouse, having text that's readable against its background, and providing alternatives for visual content.
Common accessibility issues we see
In our work with businesses across Europe, we regularly encounter the same problems: images without descriptive alt text (so screen readers can't tell users what they show), poor color contrast that makes text hard to read, forms that can't be completed using only a keyboard, videos without captions or transcripts, confusing page structure that makes navigation difficult for assistive technology, and interactive elements like buttons and menus that don't work with screen readers. Most of these issues are straightforward to fix once you know they exist.
Why it matters beyond compliance
Accessibility isn't just about checking a regulatory box. Accessible websites tend to rank better in search engines because the same practices that help assistive technology also help Google understand your content. You reach a wider audience — an estimated 15% of the world's population lives with some form of disability. The user experience improves for everyone: better contrast, clearer navigation, and logical page structure benefit all visitors, not just those using assistive technology. And of course, you reduce the risk of legal issues down the line.
How to get started
Don't panic — making your website accessible is a process, not a one-time overhaul. Start with an audit to understand where you currently stand. Focus on the biggest issues first: things like keyboard navigation, color contrast, and image alt text make the most impact. Then work through the remaining items over time. The important thing is to start, measure, and improve incrementally.