In South Africa, and many other parts of the world, accessibility is still an afterthought in web design and development.

This is despite the fact that accessibility guidelines don’t just benefit those with disabilities—they improve the overall experience for everyone.

Think about subtitles: How many of us are not deaf, yet still use subtitles when watching a film? Accessibility features often enhance usability for all users, not just those with specific impairments.

It’s time we shift our focus from just building websites fast to building them right—ensuring that the web is inclusive, accessible, and usable by all.

Rather than being a limitation, accessibility standards can inspire innovation, pushing design beyond conventional patterns and towards more inclusive, user-friendly experiences. When developers and designers prioritise accessibility in their work and actively explore the technologies that support it, they open the door to more thoughtful, forward-thinking solutions.

Here are some key ways we can enhance accessibility in digital design:

Problem: Poor colour contrast and inconsistent font sizes make reading difficult for users with visual impairments or dyslexia.

Solution: Use high-contrast colour schemes, readable font sizes, and tools like Stark or Contrast Checker to ensure compliance.

Problem: Screen readers rely on alt text to describe images, but many websites either skip them or use unhelpful descriptions like "image.jpg."

Solution: Always use clear, descriptive alt text and properly structure page headings (H1 → H2 → H3) so screen readers can navigate content logically.