Improving Accessibility in Web Design Practices

In a digitally driven world like India, where over 800 million people are online, web accessibility isn’t just a technical requirement — it’s a moral, legal, and business imperative. Yet, many websites overlook the needs of users with disabilities, such as those who rely on screen readers or keyboard navigation.

Improving accessibility in Website Designers means making sure your website is usable by as many people as possible, regardless of their abilities or the devices they use. Whether you’re a freelance web developer in Mumbai or a UX designer working on a government portal, this guide will walk you through the best practices for making your digital spaces more inclusive.

Why Accessibility Matters in India

India is home to 26.8 million people with disabilities, according to the 2011 Census. This number is likely higher today. Many of these individuals face barriers in accessing essential online services — from booking train tickets to filling government forms.

Beyond social responsibility, improving accessibility also has SEO Services benefits, enhances user experience, and broadens your market reach. With the Indian Government pushing for digital inclusion through the Accessible India Campaign (Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan), businesses and developers are expected to comply with global accessibility standards like WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines).

Core Principles of Accessible Web Design

The WCAG 2.1 guidelines, endorsed globally, are built on four foundational principles — Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, and Robust (POUR). Here’s what they mean:

Perceivable

• Use alt text for all images.
• Provide captions or transcripts for videos.
• Use sufficient colour contrast between text and backgrounds.

Operable

• Ensure all functionality is accessible via keyboard.
• Avoid elements that flash rapidly (can cause seizures).
• Use skip to content links for better navigation.

Understandable

• Use simple, plain language.
• Avoid technical jargon unless necessary.
• Make error messages clear and helpful.

Robust

• Use semantic HTML.
• Ensure forms are properly labelled.
• Validate your code using tools like W3C Validator.

Top Accessibility Practices for Web Designers

Use Semantic HTML

Properly using HTML tags like allows assistive devices to interpret your site structure correctly. For example, using instead of a styled improves both accessibility and keyboard navigation.

Ensure Keyboard Accessibility

Many users rely solely on keyboards or screen readers. Test your site by navigating using the Tab key and ensure you can access all interactive elements — menus, buttons, modals, etc.

Provide Text Alternatives

• Images: Use meaningful attributes.
• Videos: Provide captions and transcripts.
• Icons: Use or visible text labels.

Choose Colours Carefully

People with colour blindness or low vision may not perceive colours the same way. Follow these rules:

• Maintain a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 for text.
• Never use colour alone to convey meaning (e.g., red for error).

Make Forms Accessible

• Label each input clearly using
• Group related fields using
• Display error messages in-line and ensure screen readers can announce them.

Responsive and Scalable Design

Ensure users can zoom in up to 200% without breaking the layout. Avoid fixed pixel widths; instead, use relative units like

Use ARIA Roles and Landmarks

ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) attributes provide extra information to assistive technologies when standard HTML isn't enough. Examples include:

• for dynamic content updates
• for accordions and dropdowns
• to identify nav sections

Testing Accessibility

Automated Tools:

• WAVE (WebAIM Accessibility Evaluation)
• axe DevTools (Browser Extension)
• Google Lighthouse
• Tenon.io

Manual Testing:

• Navigate using only the keyboard.
• Use a screen reader like NVDA (Windows) or VoiceOver (Mac).
• Simulate vision impairments using browser extensions.

Accessibility and Indian Legal Standards

Under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPWD) Act, 2016, India mandates digital accessibility for government and private entities offering public services. The Guidelines for Indian Government Websites (GIGW) also align with WCAG 2.0 Level AA compliance.

Non-compliance can lead to legal challenges and social backlash. Proactively building accessible sites isn’t just the right thing — it’s the smart thing.

Examples of Good Accessibility Practices in India

• IRCTC: Improved keyboard navigation and screen reader support.
• RBI Website: Provides alternate text and screen reader-friendly interfaces.
• MyGov.in: Offers high-contrast themes and language toggles.

Final Thoughts: Accessibility is Everyone’s Responsibility

Whether you're a solo developer in Hyderabad or part of a large digital agency in Delhi, accessibility should be baked into your workflow — not added later. It improves SEO, user engagement, customer retention, and demonstrates that your brand cares about inclusivity.

Accessible design is good design.

Call to Action

Start by auditing your website for accessibility today. Even small changes like adding alt text or improving contrast can make a big difference. Remember: if your website is not accessible, it’s not truly complete.

Need help building accessible websites? Consider reaching out to digital consultants who specialize in WCAG compliance for Indian businesses.