The Importance of Accessibility

In today’s digital-first world, accessibility is no longer a “nice-to-have” – it’s a necessity. By removing barriers in digital and physical environments, accessibility ensures equal opportunity for everyone, not just those with disabilities. For websites and applications, this means enabling all users to perceive, understand, navigate, and interact with digital content effectively.

At Box UK, we believe accessibility isn’t just about compliance; it’s about creating equitable digital experiences that work for everyone. Let’s explore why accessibility matters and how we can work together to make it happen.

Why Accessibility Matters

Accessibility Drives Inclusivity

Accessibility is the foundation of inclusivity. It ensures that no one is left behind, fostering a digital environment that benefits everyone. For example, accessibility features like captions or high-contrast modes don’t just assist users with disabilities; they also support non-native speakers, people in noisy environments, and those using low-quality screens.

It’s a Legal Requirement

Beyond its ethical importance, accessibility is backed by legal frameworks that demand compliance:

• Equality Act 2010: Protecting individuals from unfair treatment, this act requires public sector bodies to make their websites and mobile apps accessible.
• Disability Discrimination Act 1995: This act makes it illegal to discriminate against disabled people online, underscoring the importance of equitable digital access.
• The European Accessibility Act (EAA): This law aims to make digital products and services accessible to all in the European Union (EU). The EAA is expected to come into effect in June 2025. 

A Better Experience for All

Accessible design and development lead to cleaner, more user-friendly interfaces that improve the experience for every visitor. When done right, accessibility creates faster, more efficient websites with clearer content and intuitive navigation.

How We Make Accessibility Happen

At Box UK, we approach accessibility as a shared responsibility across design, development, and content creation. Here’s how we do it:

1. Designing Inclusive Interfaces

We begin by crafting user interfaces that prioritize inclusion:

• Colour Contrast and Typography: Ensuring readability for users with visual impairments.
• Internationalisation: Supporting diverse languages and cultural contexts.
• Web Performance Enhancements: Optimizing loading times and responsiveness for all users.
• Logical Information Architecture (IA): Making navigation intuitive and straightforward.

2. Writing Accessible Code

Our developers write clean, semantic code to meet accessibility standards:

• Semantic HTML: Using landmark regions, headings, and paragraphs to ensure content is easily navigable.
• Native HTML Elements: Leveraging accessible components like buttons and links, and enhancing them with ARIA when necessary.
• Accessibility Checks: Regularly running tools like a11y, Lighthouse, and WAVE to identify and address issues.

3. Testing for Accessibility and Usability

Testing is critical to delivering accessible solutions. We go beyond automated checks by:

• Testing with Assistive Technology: Using screen readers, magnifiers, and other tools to assess usability.
• Real User Testing: Engaging users with disabilities to uncover and address practical barriers.

4. Writing Accessible Content

Finally, content creators play a crucial role in accessibility by:

• Crafting Semantic Content: Writing in a clear, logical structure.
• Adding Alternative Text: Providing meaningful descriptions for images.
• Using Accessible Language: Simplifying complex ideas for all audiences.

Talk to one of our digital experts

Pete Withers-Jones

Head of Development

Do you have an idea or a project you need support with?

Pete Withers-Jones leads Box UK’s Development Practice, and has over 20 years of experience in software development, working across various industries and technologies.

Book a meeting with Pete

Or call us on 020 8098 2093

Accessibility Is Just the Beginning

Creating an accessible website or application is the first step in building a truly inclusive digital presence. However, even if a solution meets accessibility standards, it doesn’t guarantee usability.

“Think of accessibility as the lowest bar; it works with assistive technology, but to go beyond ‘it works’ to ‘it’s enjoyable and easy to use’ you’ll need to test with real users.”

Kate Kalcevich, Head of Services at Fable

Accessibility is a collaborative effort, requiring close cooperation between UX designers, developers, and content creators. Testing with assistive technologies and real users ensures that your solutions are not only accessible but also practical and intuitive.

At Box UK, we partner with you to deliver accessible, user-friendly solutions that transform digital experiences for users. Book your free consultation with our accessibility experts to discuss how we can create a digital future for everyone.

Christelle Rowles

Senior Developer

Christelle specialises in the development of design systems for diverse digital applications. With a strong focus on accessibility and semantic coding, she ensures that components are both user-friendly and technically efficient. Passionate about inclusive design, Christelle advocates for best practices that enhance usability across all platforms.