Updated in December 2024.

Accessibility plays a crucial role in ensuring that disabled users can access and interact with websites and applications without any barriers. To achieve this goal, accessibility audits are a valuable tool that evaluates the compliance of your digital product with established accessibility standards.

In this blog post, we will explore:

• what accessibility audits are 
• the benefits of doing an audit
• and the steps involved in accessibility audit

So, what is an accessibility audit?

Accessibility audits involve a comprehensive evaluation of a website, application, or digital product to identify barriers and assess its conformance with accessibility guidelines and standards. 

Audits can be assisted by automated tools, such as accessibility checkers and validators, or undertaken by experts who are knowledgeable in accessibility principles and standards, including the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). For a comprehensive audit (and resulting report), the process should involve both automated and manual assessments.

Benefits of accessibility audits

So why should you consider doing an accessibility audit? Firstly, accessibility audits help organisations ensure they conform to accessibility laws and regulations - the UK Equality Act 2010 and the European Accessibility Act 2020. By identifying accessibility gaps early on, organisations can proactively address them and minimise the risk of legal consequences.

But, most importantly, by conducting accessibility audits you can improve user experiences for all individuals on any device. By identifying and addressing digital barriers, organisations can provide seamless navigation, interaction, and content consumption - opening their ‘digital doors’ to all users.

Contact us for an accessibility audit

Watch the video below to learn how four out of the five airline apps that our accessibility and usability consultant tested, did not allow blind customers to book a flight using a screen reader.

By also considering the diverse needs of disabled users, you can create accessible digital products that can tap into a significant market segment and enhance your brand's visibility and relevance.

It is also well-established that accessibility and search engine optimisation (SEO) go hand in hand. Many accessibility practices, such as providing descriptive alternative text for images and using semantic HTML, also contribute to better search engine visibility. Conducting accessibility audits can uncover opportunities to optimise your digital assets for search engines while ensuring compliance with accessibility standards. Learn how accessibility improves SEO in our discussion with AXA and SkyScanner.

How to conduct an accessibility audit

An accessibility audit typically involves the following steps:

Pre-audit Preparation - Understand the applicable accessibility standards, gather relevant information about the digital asset, and establish an audit scope and timeline.

Automated Scans - Employ automated accessibility testing tools to help identify certain common issues such as colour contrast, missing alternative text, improper heading structure, or inaccessible forms.

Manual Evaluation - Accessibility experts analyse the digital asset for more nuanced accessibility issues that automated tools aren’t able to evaluate. They assess aspects such as keyboard navigation, JavaScript and multimedia accessibility, and overall usability through the eyes of diverse users.

Manual audits offer a deeper, more nuanced understanding of accessibility issues compared to automated tools. While automated tests can quickly identify some problems, they often miss context-specific issues that only a human can detect. Our team specialises in manual audits, ensuring a comprehensive evaluation of your website or app's accessibility, tailored to real user experiences. Contact us for an accessibility audit.

Reporting and Recommendations - The audit findings are compiled into a comprehensive report, highlighting identified issues, severity levels, and suggested remediation strategies.

Remediation and Iterative Improvements - Based on the audit report, organisations prioritise and address the accessibility issues. Iterative improvements ensure continuous refinement of digital assets to align with evolving accessibility standards.

Accessibility audits are a vital component of inclusive design practices, helping organisations identify and rectify barriers that stop disabled users from accessing and utilising digital assets. 

By ensuring compliance with accessibility standards, organisations can enhance the user experience, expand their reach and create an inclusive digital experience for all users.

Are you interested in conducting your own accessibility testing? Explore our online course, "How to Begin Your Own Accessibility Testing," or arrange a focussed team training session. 

Ready to conduct an accessibility audit?

In 2022, AbilityNet conducted 1,371 Accessibility Audits for over 700 organisations, identifying 17,672 accessibility issues and offering advice on how to fix them.

Contact us for an accessibility audit

Did you know accessibility can help reduce 'technical debt'? Does your Chief Technical Officer (CTO) know this? 

What is technical debt?

Technical debt (also known as 'tech debt' or 'code debt') is 'the mess which slows everything down' - the coding updates and adjustments that need to be done in software development following software upgrades or changes.

Accessible code doesn’t need to be an additional burden on CTOs, with a long list of tickets in the backlog. Accessible code improves code maintainability, readability and abiding by best practice reduces the accumulation of technical debt whilst ensuring the product is future proof for new technologies that may emerge or new legislation such as the European Accessibility Act (EAA).  

Embedding accessibility into your tech debt management or refactoring is a cost-effective approach to gradually ensure your team are trained, upskilled in writing accessible code whilst being ready for the European Accessibility Act (EAA) deadline in 2025.

And, with the looming 2025 EAA deadline, companies that haven’t made any progress towards and accessible product are going to be in a hurried rush to meet legislation or face significant and costly legal risks.  

So, why not get ahead of the competition?  

Need help with navigating accessibility legislation and the European Accessibility Act, and what this means for your digital accessibility priorities?

The relationship between accessibility and technical debt 

Technical debt accumulates over-time for a variety of reasons, such as a need to prioritise rapid feature delivery over long-term code quality, which means that inconsistent coding practices can creep in.

The impact is a less maintainable and readable codebase, eventually slowing the rate of feature development.  

Digital accessibility is, in addition, often viewed as something to tackle later at the end of a project. Thus, risking an increase in overall technical debt if large changes are required to meet guidelines.

Instead of seeing accessibility as a last-minute fix, what about embedding accessibility into your refactoring process? And how can this help with managing tech debt?  

1. Standardisation and consistency:

Accessibility guidelines like WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) emphasise consistency and the use of standardised elements. For example, using semantic HTML elements such as <button> instead of custom <div> components not only improves accessibility but also reduces the need for custom code that becomes difficult to maintain over time.

By adhering to these guidelines, your team adopts best practices, creating a more uniform, learnable and manageable codebase. Great for keeping momentum when deploying features and reducing costs when onboarding new team members. 

2. Maintainability: 

As teams refactor with accessibility in mind, they are forced to simplify code. For instance, accessibility features like keyboard navigation and screen reader support often require a cleaner Document Object Model (DOM) structure.

This streamlining reduces the complexity of the codebase, making it easier for developers to identify and fix issues, leading to fewer bugs and less time spent on maintenance. 

3. Automation and Tooling: 

There are a growing number of automation tools, such as Axe Linter or GitHub Actions, that can help identify and enforce accessibility standards. These tools reduce the manual effort involved in ensuring compliance and prevent the introduction of new technical debt by catching poor coding practices, reducing the time taken for those who review pull requests. 

Auditing Western Power Distribution's website

Using accessibility to help communicate the value of tackling technical debt to stakeholders 

For many CTOs, one of the biggest challenges is justifying to stakeholders why resources should be dedicated to tackling technical debt instead of new feature development. While the long-term benefits may seem obvious to the technical team, the business side often needs more concrete reasons.  

1. Cost-Benefit Analysis: 

This is where accessibility can really help move the conversations forward because not only will you be tackling tech debt, but there’s also the added business value of enabling more customers to use the product and reducing the risk of litigation.

The 2025 EAA will make accessibility mandatory for most digital products, and failure to comply could result in legal challenges, fines, or lost customers. Proactively addressing accessibility as part of your technical debt strategy will mitigate these risks and prevent an expensive up-front rush later to meet EAA. 

2. Future-Proofing: 

Accessibility improvements don’t just benefit a small subset of users; they make your product usable by a broader audience, therefore increasing market reach.

Additionally, accessible code is often more adaptable to future technologies, such as new assistive devices or browsers, meaning your product should require less firefighting to update and remain relevant and puts you into a better position to scale as new technologies emerge. 

3. Operational Efficiency: 

When you invest in accessibility-driven refactoring, you’re also improving the overall efficiency of your development team.

Many of the principles underlying WCAG such as using semantically correct HTML is just good code practice. And cleaner, more maintainable code means faster future development cycles, fewer bugs, and smoother onboarding for new developers, all of which translate into long-term savings. 

Provide data to your senior managers about global trends in digital accessibility: 

Actions to embed accessibility into the refactoring process 

1. Automate where possible: 

Incorporate automated testing and linting tools that enforce accessibility standards as part of your Continuous integration / Continuous Deployment pipeline with tools such as Cypress-axe. It’s another layer that will help catch accessibility issues before they enter production. 

2. Gradually upskill your team: 

Ensure that your developers are trained to incorporate accessibility best practices into their code during the refactoring process. This doesn’t mean overhauling entire team or large up-front investment.

Instead, you can focus on gradual learning by leveraging automation and tools like VSCode Axe Linter to help developers identify issues as they code. Manual testing will always be an important part of accessibility, but at least the team will slowly build knowledge and of how to find the most common and easily resolved issues problems.  

3. Audits and manual testing  

By the time you are ready, it’s worth seeking a professional to complete a manual audit to find any issues the team may not have been aware of. However, if you have already been upskilling the audit will be yet another tool for learning.

At AbilityNet, we provide details reports and recommendations for resolving issues with the opportunity to speak to a consultant. Once an audit is complete and the fixes implemented, we complete a recheck to validate they have been resolved.

Therefore, if there are gaps in knowledge or WCAG guidelines the team are having challenges with, it becomes easier to target team training to be the most effective.  

Invest in accessibility now for long-term growth

Accessibility offers a unique opportunity for CTOs, tech leads and software teams to address technical debt while simultaneously future-proofing products.

Far from being an additional burden, accessibility-driven refactoring leads to a cleaner, more scalable codebase, operational efficiency, and ensures compliance with upcoming regulations like the EAA.

By investing in accessibility now, you’re not only reducing future costs but also positioning your product for long-term growth and success.

Further Resources

• Keep up to date with accessibility issues with the AbilityNet newsletter 
• Discover more accessibility and inclusive design training for Content and Designers
• Find out about AbilityNet's free live webinars
• Unsure where to start with digital accessibility? Speak to our experts for help

By guest blogger, Research and Evaluation Officer, Ell Martin

Digital support can be essential to get people online, but it has to be the right kind of support. A single approach to digital support does not work when everyone learns differently.

Susan from Brighton is 65 years old. She has recently lost her job and is looking for work, but is currently living on very low income. She has been keen to learn to use digital devices for some time and has tried to get to grips with them and get support several times. Unfortunately, these were not useful for her:  

“I went on a computer course, I bought myself a tablet in 2017 and I just could not… I passed the course and I got the certificate, and when I put it in use, I just couldn’t, it was just a total blank there, and I bought this tablet, and I put it in my drawer, I didn’t have internet and it’s stayed there.” 

Since becoming unemployed, Susan found that she had to get online. Applying for jobs and benefits all had to be done online:  

“I didn’t live in that world of technology and didn’t have to. It’s when I became unemployed, it was like everything is online! Applying for jobs, contacting Universal Credit, everything is online.”  

Getting the right support

Recently Susan started getting one-to-one support from one of AbilityNet's volunteer Digital Champions, Judy. Initially, Susan did not think this would help, and felt that she couldn’t learn:  

“I didn’t think that when Judy arrived at my front door, and we had started this journey, that I would become this competent... come this far. I really, I mean to me it’s a miracle. I’m like a small child with sweets. It’s fantastic, absolutely fantastic!”

A person needs the right device, an internet connection, digital skills and motivation to get online safely and confidently. However, the right support is key to both being motivated and developing the necessary skills. Based on her experiences, Susan reflects on how digitally excluded people need to have access to the right support, and a digital device that suits them: 

“They just have to… maybe it’s the equipment you’re trying to learn on, or the person trying to show you, or maybe, you don’t do well in a big class, and you just need someone to sit very quietly with you, and, you might get it, and if you do, it will do so much for you, you just have to try, you know.”  

Judy’s support has made a huge difference to Susan’s digital skills and confidence: 

“If there was anybody who had been on a computer course before, of my age group, and thought, I still can’t cope, I can’t operate this technology… talk to me and I will tell you, what I can do now is amazing, amazing.”  

AbilityNet’s support

Our project Digital Brighton & Hove has also been able to get Susan a new tablet and internet connection. Because of her limited income, these have made a big difference to her.

Our work with learners is person-centred, based on the interests, skills and abilities of each person we help.

Contact AbilityNet if you are disabled or a senior citizen and need support with your digital devices - call our helpline on 0300 180 0028 or request help from an AbilityNet volunteer.

Susan's story part two: Healthcare and technology

Above, we highlighted how important getting the right support for Susan was, and this is especially true for managing her health. She has recently become unemployed due to health issues. She has problems with her eyesight and her mobility and needs a walker to get around.

This means some walking routes are now inaccessible to her. With help from a Citizens Online (now incorporated into AbilityNet) volunteer Digital Champion, she has learned to use Google Maps to check the accessibility of the route before she goes out:

“I can actually look on Google Maps, so I can see where somewhere to go, I can get the route, but also, because of my mobility, I walk with a stroller, I can actually physically see the steps, the routes, the streets where I would walk. It’s fantastic. And I can find my way around easily. So, this is absolutely marvellous. How people cope without it, I don’t know!" says Susan.

Managing health in the future

Susan is concerned about managing household tasks in the future if her health deteriorates. She wants to learn to order her prescriptions online and to do online shopping. But she is also aware of potential digital scams and other risks, which are making her cautious: 

“I’ve watched that many programmes about online scams, so I’ve got over cautious. And I’m still learning, so I don’t want to push the wrong button and do the wrong thing, you know? But I’m able to get onto the sites to have a look.” 

Susan is interested, but similarly concerned about doing online banking:  

“I’d like to learn how to do banking online. I’m not confident about that. I’m very worried about putting my details in and then, and not doing the right thing, and giving away the wrong information and becoming unsecure. So, I don’t feel confident about that at all. I think that I’d have to really, really make sure that I know what I’m doing before I go that route, because I feel that I’m quite vulnerable. I haven’t got a lot of money but I think, I don’t what to lose the little bit by, you know, going the wrong route there.”

Free webinar: How to steer clear of seasonal scams - with actress Linda Robson

DBS-checked digital champions

Susan's concerns stem both from limited digital skills, and an experience of being scammed by someone she trusted. All volunteers and staff working at Citizens Online (now part of AbilityNet) have been trained and completed a DBS check. This includes Susan’s digital champion, Judy.

This gives Susan confidence, as well as not having to share something as personal as her financial issues with friends: 

“I would feel more comfortable doing that with someone like Judy, to walk you through it. Because then you’ve got somebody you can trust and you know… it is quite difficult to ask people as well, even if you’ve got an acquaintance or a friend, with something very personal like that, isn’t it?” says Susan. 

Susan talks about how she has learned to use online searching to find information about health issues and practical tasks, like clipping her cats’ claws. 

“I would ask Google, and I would see what they would have to say for me, what they told me to do. I have the knowledge now, that’s what I would do.”

“But I’m trying to get all that knowledge, so I can be independent and do it. Because it’s not going to be a granddaughter or a grandson or a friend, who nips around and goes ‘oh yes, this is how you do that’, you know, it’s just something I need to learn, a bit like putting a fuse in a plug, or rewiring a plug, you know, you need to know these things. When you live alone, normally if you have a family or husband, or the children help, but if there’s not that there…” 

Photos of 'Susan' are for illustrative purposes only.

Further resources

• Free Digital Skills training for older and disabled people via AbilityNet
• Book digital inclusion training for your teams
• Support AbilityNet with fundraising at your organisation
• Find out about practical tips to shield yourself from scams
• Sign up to our newsletter for updates on assistive technology, accessibility and more 

We make sure to celebrate the milestones of our wonderful tech volunteers who put so much into their role as part of our free IT Support service supporting older and disabled people to use technology.

Marking his decade of service to the cause this month is one of our Belfast-based volunteers, Matthew McNeilly, shown here holding his award.

Volunteers are able to help with most computer systems, laptops, tablets, smartphones and other smart devices such as Smart TVs, Alexa speakers and Google Home devices. 

Matthew McNeilly, Tech Volunteer based in Northern Ireland

Having provided a decade of much-valued support so far in his region, Matthew said this of his award:

"Ten incredible years as an IT support volunteer for AbilityNet! Time really does fly when you are having fun. It's been a privilege working with and alongside so many lovely people. Here's to many more years of making a difference and bridging the digital divide!"

With huge thanks to Matthew for all his time helping others in Belfast.

Free webinar: How to steer clear of seasonal scams - with celebrity Linda Robson

Why volunteer with AbilityNet?

Could you dedicate any time to helping older or disabled people in your community? 

We're always keen to welcome new tech volunteers so if you're reading this and would like to get involved, please get in contact.

Some recent comments from our volunteers about what they enjoy about their roles:

• "So rewarding, doing what I love and seeing people benefit, sometimes life changing, sometimes just making a client's life a bit easier, a bit more fun, a bit less isolated."
• "I've done things out of my comfort zone. I get the support I need and reap the benefits of increasing my skills and confidence."
• "Welcoming, supportive environment. Excellent training. Totally rewarding!"

Become an AbilityNet volunteer

How AbilityNet can help

AbilityNet provides a range of free services to help disabled people and older people.

• Call our helpline: 0300 180 0028
• We have a range of factsheets that talk in detail about technology that might help you, which you can download for free. You may find our factsheets about voice recognition and keyboard alternatives useful.
• My Computer My Way. A free interactive guide to all the accessibility features built into current desktops, laptops, tablets, and smartphones.
• Meet AbilityNet volunteers from across the UK

• Do you and your staff know why alt tags are important?
• Are you aware of the different models of disability and how they might affect your brand?
• How much money is your business losing by not providing accessible online options?

If you're not sure about the answer to any of those questions, you'd be wise to invest in some basic digital accessibility training for you and your team.

Luckily, AbilityNet has just released two eLearning options designed to be flexible to suit your budget and your organisation's needs!

Option 1: eLearning on-demand: Introduction to Digital Accessibility

An online training course to share with your team covering the key things your staff need to know about digital accessibility.

Explore the fundamental principles and practices of making digital content accessible to all.

You can complete the course yourself in your own time, and share with your team - it's completely flexible and covers topics including:

• Differences between the medical and social models of disability
• The importance and benefits of digital accessibility
• Common digital accessibility barriers
• How to improve your digital content to avoid creating barriers

At the end of the online course you can test your newly acquired knowledge in a short quiz.

Buy the on-demand course

Option 2: Host this eLearning course on your own system

You can also choose to host the Introduction to Digital Accessibility eLearning course on your own Learning Management System.

The self-hosted format will allow you to:

• Test what you've learned at the end of the course with a brief knowledge check quiz
• Complete the course at your own pace and on your own schedule
• Save your progress and pick up where you left off at any time
• Monitor your data over time
• HR managers - easily track your team's progress and see who has completed the course 

Sounds like what you need?

As we're about to embark on a brand new year, now is the perfect time to elevate your commitment to accessibility and disability inclusion goals.

Contact us to buy the self-hosted course

Further resources 

• Our training bundle offers you a great-value way to learn about accessibility
• Download a training brochure to browse courses and share with your team
• Keep up to date with accessibility issues with the AbilityNet newsletter 
• Find out more about AbilityNet's free live webinars

AbilityNet provides a range of free services to help disabled people and older people. If you can afford it, please donate to help us support older and disabled people through technology

We are pleased to announce a new trustee to join AbilityNet's Board of Trustees.

Stephen Warwick, Global Vice President – Account Technical Leaders at IBM, is the most recent addition to AbilityNet's talented group of Trustees.

As a multinational executive within IBM's Account Technical Leaders, Stephen works across Data and AI, Automation, Security, AI Apps, Cloud Platform, Storage, Power, and IBM Z. Stephen has also led IBM's largest research and development campus in Europe.

With experience across both start-up and corporate environments, Stephen is respected and known for creating a positive working climate that inspires growth, inclusion, innovation, and positive culture.

IBM and AbilityNet's long relationship

“I’m absolutely delighted to join the board of AbilityNet, an organisation whose work makes a huge positive impact to the lives of people with diverse abilities every single day. I look forward to helping the charity deliver on its incredible focus that the very latest technologies and digital services must remain accessible to all,” says Stephen.

AbilityNet's CEO, Amy Low, says of Stephen's appointment:

"We are very excited to welcome Stephen onto our Board of Trustees. IBM has been with AbilityNet since the beginning, and our two organisations have a strong history of collaboration, shared values, and purpose. In a world where technology plays such a fundamental role, AbilityNet’s mission to create an equitable and inclusive digital world has never been more relevant." 

"Stephen’s experience and knowledge together with his passion and commitment for our cause will be invaluable as the charity navigates the next stage of its growth and impact," Amy continues.

Further resources 

• Check out AbilityNet’s range of online courses, bespoke training, and online learning tools to help you this year. 
• Keep up to date with accessibility issues with the AbilityNet newsletter 
• Find out more about AbilityNet's free live webinars

AbilityNet provides a range of free services to help disabled people and older people. If you can afford it, please donate to help us support older and disabled people through technology

We're excited to announce that Loose Women TV presenter and Birds of A Feather star, Linda Robson, is helping us to raise awareness of online scams at our free AbilityNet online lunchtime training session coming up on 4 December.

Watch the webinar recording

The actress has teamed up with AbilityNet and BT Group as part of our partnership to encourage older people and disabled adults to learn vital digital skills.

Linda will be joined on the webinar by scams expert Adam Carter from the National Trading Standards Scams Team, and co-presenter of the Consumer Friend podcast.

Vulnerable older audiences

Linda, an English actress and television presenter, on our webinar will share her experiences of being scammed in the past, and how she narrowly avoided falling victim to other attempted digital scams.

"This experience opened my eyes to how vulnerable we can be, especially if we lack confidence with technology," says Linda.

Linda recently attended an AbilityNet in-person training session with a group of older people in London. "We got practical advice on how to use smartphones and stay secure while doing everyday tasks like banking and shopping online," she says. 

Improve your confidence online

In advance of the webinar, Linda has provided a set of top tips to remember about using technology and digital devices - watch the captioned video:

1. "Number one, be scam savvy: If something feels suspicious to you, then it normally is. Don't be afraid to ask somebody."
2. "Number two use tech to expand on your interest so there's something you're interested in. Tech can help you."
3. "Number three. Don't be afraid to ask for help. You can always ask a family member or someone you can trust. Or there are groups like AbilityNet out there to help you."

"There’s no shame in finding technology a bit daunting. But you can’t bury your head in the sand. It’s never too late to learn," says Linda. 

Of the upcoming webinar where she'll be answering questions about online scams alongside experts from the National Trading Standards Scams Team, and AbilityNet, Linda says "It’s a great chance to get expert advice on how to protect yourself from common scams that target people during the festive season." 

Watch the webinar recording

Free tech help for over 65s

To help combat the growing digital scamming trend, and boost digital skills among older people and disabled adults, AbilityNet is offering free in-person digital skills sessions in locations across the UK including London, Birmingham, Glasgow, Edinburgh, the East Coast of Scotland, Newcastle, Cardiff and surrounding areas.

Share with older people you know about how they can sign up for free to learn the basics with a smartphone, stay safer online or getting started with the internet. Contact us for support today!

Get Digital Skills support

Free webinar: How to steer clear of seasonal scams - with Linda Robson

Online support with digital skills

If you or someone you know is looking for digital skills support, there are lots of other resources on our website: 

• Attend an upcoming digital skills webinar
• View our bitesize digital skills videos for seniors 
• Read and download free digital skills factsheets
• Step-by-step device guides on our My Computer My Way site
• Request help from an AbilityNet volunteer or call AbilityNet's helpline on 0300 180 0028

What do you think will be the big trends in accessibility over the next couple of years? Our Head of Consultancy, Will Sutton, has the answer. With extensive expertise in helping organisations create more inclusive digital environments, Will will delve into the latest trends, challenges, and opportunities in accessibility. Discover how organisations can not only meet but exceed accessibility standards, fostering a more inclusive digital landscape for everyone.  

What is your new role and what are your main responsibilities?

I'm stepping into a new role for AbilityNet, Head of Consultancy, I will be leading our commercial customer facing teams which include, Accessibility services, workplace inclusion consultancy and training, as well as our Customer Success Team. 

In my role as Head of Consultancy, my primary responsibility is to lead and support our expert team of certified accessibility consultants in delivering high-quality impactful services to our clients. This includes overseeing our project delivery to ensure it meets the needs of both our clients and their end users whilst making sure we deliver a positive contribution to our charitable free services. 

Another key function of this position is driving innovation by championing research and thought leadership that spark fresh perspectives across our field. By exploring advancements in emerging technologies and inclusive practices, we can deliver forward-thinking insights that help shape the industry.

My vision for the consultancy is that we continue to be a leading voice in accessibility and disability inclusion, guiding our clients and the industry towards a digital world accessible to all.

I’m also responsible for the continuous upskilling and personal development of our consultants, there’s always something new to learn in this industry. I look forward to identifying and executing upskilling and training opportunities across the consultancy and wider organisation to make sure we continue to deliver the most up-to-date and trustworthy independent advice. 

When did you first hear about accessibility? How did it fit with your role at the time?  

My first encounter with accessibility was whilst working as a Software Engineer at Dyson, in a team responsible for global e-commerce websites. Our team was tasked to remediate issues raised in an accessibility audit. It was an amazing opportunity for personal upskilling and our team’s efforts greatly enhanced the user experience.

This journey really ignited my passion for accessibility and reinforced my belief in the importance of creating digital experiences that are free from barriers for disabled people. 

What was your previous role at AbilityNet? 

For the past 2 years, I have worked as a Senior Accessibility and usability consultant as well as a team lead. I was primarily focussed on delivering specialist services such as audits, training, strategy and accreditation. 

Having worked as a consultant at AbilityNet before stepping into this new role has really helped me gain valuable insights into our work, our customers, and the unique challenges and opportunities the charity faces. 

What are your goals for AbilityNet’s accessibility services? 

My goal for AbilityNet’s accessibility services is to build on our foundation so that we’re not only enhancing our quality but also establishing our position as a true partner in our clients' accessibility journeys. I’m committed to continuously refining our offerings and pioneering innovative approaches that keep us both competitive and relevant. This will involve aligning our services more closely with our clients' evolving needs, creating value beyond the immediate deliverable, and fostering long-term strategic partnerships.  

Our team of expert consultants help organisations of all types and sizes to become more inclusive and to build accessible digital products and services. Meet our clients to find out how we help them achieve their digital accessibility goals.

As an expert, what trends in accessibility should organisations be thinking about in 2025? 

In the coming years, I anticipate more organisations will adopt the shift-left approach, which means they will be thinking about accessibility from the start of every project, from the design stage and through the entire development lifecycle.

This shift will likely involve greater use of accessibility plugins and annotation frameworks within design tools like Figma, along with comprehensive automated testing methods, such as accessibility focussed unit tests and end-to-end (E2E) testing.

By integrating these practices into development workflows, teams can look to identify accessibility issues earlier, reducing the risk of barriers being introduced into production and impacting users. At AbilityNet, we’re actively researching the latest innovations and developments in these areas in order to provide our customers with industry-leading advice and strategic guidance on building accessible platforms from the outset. 

Whilst AI and automation are having an impact on accessibility testing, a trend I’d really love to see is the integration of diverse user perspectives throughout the development process.

In the next few years, I hope to see organisations move beyond compliance checks to embrace inclusive-first development – where people with different accessibility needs and requirements shape products from conception through to launch. This shift from periodic accessibility reviews to continuous inclusive feedback will be crucial for creating truly accessible solutions. 

Can you tell us some of your career highlights? 

Cheesy but true, being offered the job at AbilityNet just over 2 years ago felt like a huge highlight for me, I'd spent a lot of time thinking about the impact I wanted to have in the technology space and digital accessibility was the area I felt aligned best with my skills and passion. The opportunity to hone these skills in an organisation that has been a global pioneer in digital accessibility for 25 years was too good to miss.  

From the moment I joined, I was immersed in a culture that truly values diversity and inclusion. I’ve had the privilege of working on so many projects that directly enhance the digital experiences of disabled people. It’s really inspiring to work with a team of like-minded professionals who are equally passionate about making a difference. 

What do think are the benefits of accessibility to our customers? 

 Accessible digital products and services enhance user experience, boost conversions, and build trust for every type and size of organisation. Additionally, they provide a competitive advantage by demonstrating a commitment to inclusivity and social responsibility. This approach also fosters increased loyalty from users who have been let down by competitors. 

What do you think are the priorities for our customers in the next few years? 

Looking ahead, I see three key priorities for our customers: 

• Accessibility by design: Our customers should be looking at how to make accessibility a cornerstone of their digital strategy rather than a retrospective activity. When accessibility shapes decisions from day one, it sparks innovation that serves everyone, regardless of how they access and interact with digital services. This approach transforms accessibility from a compliance checkbox into a catalyst for better products, stronger user trust, and ultimately, market leadership. 
• Regulatory Navigation and Compliance: In today’s rapidly evolving regulatory landscape, staying ahead of the curve is more crucial than ever. With the introduction of the European Accessibility Act (EAA), the stakes have never been higher. Every organisation should focus on not just meeting these new standards but exceeding them. We can help our customers stay ahead and surpass accessibility compliance requirements. 

• Role specific training: Finally, I believe one of the key priorities for our customers will be enhancing accessibility through role-specific training. As organisations increasingly recognise the importance of accessibility, equipping their teams with the knowledge and skills necessary to address accessibility challenges will become paramount. When staff are specially trained in accessibility, they can better identify and remove barriers across all functions of the organisation before they impact their customers. 

With these priorities in mind, we have a unique opportunity to position ourselves as strategic partners who can help organisations build accessibility into their DNA, rather than treating it as an afterthought. 

Apart from your session with eBay, what are you looking forward to at AbilityNet's TechShare Pro 2024 (13-14th November 2024)? 

 There are some great looking sessions and panels being run throughout the event, I'd just like to highlight a few that are being run by our amazing Accessibility Consultants:  

Wednesday 13th November  

• Adam Tweed will be delivering a session on captions  
• Rina Wharton and Lucy Woodcock will be doing a session on neurodiversity and brand communications  

Thursday 14th November  

• Jess Cahill will be doing a session based on the training ‘Accessibility on a Shoestring’  
• Vayia Malamidou will be doing a session on EAA 

I’m also really looking forward to the chance to meet up with many of our colleagues, customers and partners in person at the event. It’s such a fantastic opportunity to not only discuss all things accessibility and inclusion but also to exchange ideas, collaborate on new initiatives, and strengthen our shared commitment to making the digital world accessible to all. I know the conversations we’ll have will inspire even more innovation and positive change, and I’m excited to see what we can achieve together. 

Learn more about TechShare Pro 2024 and book your ticket

What happens at TechShare Pro?

TechShare Pro 2023 was hosted by HSBC in London, with over 2,000 in-person and online attendees from around the world. Check out the highlights reel below.

To mark Trustees' Week (4-8 November 2024) we're extending a hearty thank you to our dedicated and energetic AbilityNet Board of Trustees, whose enthusiasm and commitment to helping to shape AbilityNet's activities makes such an impact.

Trustees’ Week is a great opportunity to celebrate the achievements of our trustees, who are part of nearly one million trustees for organisations across the UK.

Amy Low, CEO, AbilityNet says of our Board: “AbilityNet is so fortunate to have such an experienced, supportive and dynamic Board of Trustees. Thank you to each and every one of you for the guidance, challenge, and diverse perspectives you bring to ensure our wonderful charity goes from strength to strength.” 

So, from us all at AbilityNet and behalf of the disabled people and older people we help, and the organisations we work with who benefit from their support, thank you to our trustees for their time, commitment and effort they put into AbilityNet to help us thrive.

Spotlight on one of our Trustees: Kush Kanodia

About AbilityNet's governance

AbilityNet grew out of IBM in the late 1980s and continues to have the backing of a number of influential multinational businesses and charities including the Worshipful Company of Information Technologists (WCIT).

Current AbilityNet Trustees are:

• Alan Brooks (Chair)
• Kush Kanodia
• Suzie Woodhams
• Nicky Rumsey
• Owen Purcell
• Graeme Pedlingham
• Douglas Silverstone
• Mike Evason
• Alison Orsi
• Michelle Gurney (representing WCIT)
• Plus, a warm welcome to our newest trustee, Stephen Warwick from IBM!

Between them our trustees represent (or previously held senior positions at) organisations including IBM, Google, Volvo, Dunlop, Vix Technology, EY LLP, University of Sussex, and Southern Housing.

AbilityNet's patron is Baroness Martha Lane Fox, who recently completed the Three Peaks challenge in aid of four charities, including AbilityNet.

How AbilityNet can help

AbilityNet provides a range of free services to help disabled people and older people, including:

• Call our helpline: 0300 180 0028
• View our factsheets 
• My Computer My Way: free interactive guide to accessibility features built into current desktops, laptops, tablets, and smartphones

AbilityNet accessibility services

• Speak to our experts to find out how we can help you
• View our range of accessibility products and services
• Access free accessibility webinars through AbilityNet Live
• Book onto one of our online accessibility training courses 

Support AbilityNet

If you're able to help us help others please donate to AbilityNet

What makes a website truly beautiful? Is it the sleek design, the vibrant colours, or perhaps the seamless user experience? Matthew Fellion, an accessibility and usability consultant at AbilityNet, says “true beauty in web design lies in accessibility".

Matthew specialises in accessibility audits, training, and reviews of content in multiple languages. Matthew has a background in British literature.  

As one of AbilityNet's accessibility consultants, I delivered a talk at AbilityNet's TechShare Pro 2023 about accessible web design. With TechShare Pro 2024 coming up on 13-14 November 2024, I’m sharing a quick summary of my top three tips. For a deeper dive, you can watch the full session below. But first, let’s start with a brief discussion about art.

The Evolution of Beauty Standards and Its Impact on Web Design

The history of art shows that standards of beauty are not fixed. Different characteristics have been valued at various times for several reasons. For instance, Gothic literature and romantic painting often appreciate things that are broken, obscure, dark, terrifying, sublime, and vast: qualities that might be desirable in a medieval ruin like Melrose Abbey, but not in a travel booking website. 

This perspective helps in understanding the choices made when designing for the web. If it is possible to find a broken building beautiful because it is broken, it is also possible to find an accessible website beautiful because it is accessible. Principles of accessibility - Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, and Robust - can be seen not just as standards to meet but as aesthetic values to appreciate and strive for. What would it mean to think about accessibility not just as an add-on but as an intrinsic part of what makes a website well designed?

Tip one: Structure Content with Headings

Like the poem or tree in Joyce Kilmer’s lines “I think that I shall never see a poem as lovely as a tree,” a lovely web page should have a structure, and headings are crucial for communicating that structure. Headings help users navigate a page visually by showing how the parts of the page relate to each other. They are also important when navigating with assistive technology, as users can build an understanding of the page by reviewing the list of headings and navigating between them. 

Tools like the Headings Map extension can be used to review the headings and ensure the structure is meaningful. Typically, there will be a Level 1 heading that tells users what the page is about, often matching the page title, followed by Level 2 headings for major sections, Level 3 headings for subsections, and so on. This gives the parts of the page a logical relationship. 

Tip two: Enhance Visibility with Colour Contrast 

Accessibility is not about avoiding colour. Not everyone perceives colour the same way, so it is important to ensure colour is not the only way to convey information. However, colour is a great way to supplement and enhance meaning, as well as contribute to the site’s look. When designing the colour palette for a site, contrast should be kept in mind, which refers to the relative brightness of different pieces of content, such as text on its background. 

It can be tempting to go for subtle colour designs where foregrounds and backgrounds both have middling brightness, but this can make the content hard to read. Bold choices are encouraged: light foregrounds with dark backgrounds or dark foregrounds with light backgrounds. Tools like Colour Safe can help identify which colours will work together. When a background colour is entered, the tool generates a selection of foreground colours with good contrast, allowing a palette of colours that go well together to be built and deployed across the design. 

Tip three: Label Elements Explicitly

Just as it is tempting to be subtle with colour, it is also tempting to be minimalist when labelling components. For example, buttons might be labelled with discreet icons instead of text, but does that magnifying glass mean search or zoom? With input fields, placeholder text might be used that disappears when users start typing, but what if that is the moment the user needs to be reminded what they are being asked to input? 

Design boldly and explicitly. Use icons, but also text labels so that the meanings reinforce each other. Let components be proud of what they are and what they do, whether that is edit, submit, or print. Label input fields with text labels that stay put where users can refer to them as they type. 

These three simple tips for accessible website design highlight that accessible websites can and should be aesthetically pleasing. But let us leave the darkness and obscurity in the Gothic ruins. 

Learn about accessible web design  

Implement these practices to make your website design more accessible to everyone. For more detailed guidance, check out our following resources:   

• For individual learning: Accessibility for designers training course
• For you and your team: Organise accessible document team training  
• For your organisation: Get a thorough web accessibility audit  

Speak to our accessibility experts

This blog is a transcription of AbilityNet’s TechShare Pro conference 2023 selection of bite-sized 'Lightning Talks' from accessibility experts, highlighting top tips and advice on accessibility topics. Watch the video recording below.

Join us for TechShare Pro 2024 online for two days of sharing and learning about accessibility, disability inclusion and much more... 

Book your ticket for TechShare Pro 2024