When I first started working as a freelance software engineer, accessibility wasn’t a word I heard much. Over the years, though, that changed. Digital inclusion came to the forefront, and now people expect accessible websites, including your future clients.

In this long guide, I’ll break down what digital accessibility really means, how it supports a better user experience, which laws and standards matter, and what specific steps developers should take. My hope? By sharing my approach as Adriano Junior, a developer and consultant working globally, I can help you move from compliance checklists to real inclusion—something your users (and your business) will feel every day.

Empathy is a developer’s secret weapon.

What is website accessibility?

When people ask me what accessibility means, I keep it clear: It’s designing and building digital products that everyone can use, regardless of their abilities, hardware, software, or situation. This goes far beyond screen readers. It could be someone with low vision, a temporary injury, or a device in bright sunlight. In my experience, accessibility is a blend of ethical responsibility and smart business thinking. If you want more customers reaching your site, and sticking around, this matters.

Accessibility starts with a mindset. It’s about recognizing that disabilities are common (the World Health Organization notes that over 15% of the world population lives with some form of disability) and that every user deserves an equitable web experience. Sometimes, it’s about compliance with laws. More often, it’s about building digital trust and a reputation for caring.

Whenever I consult, I highlight that accessible sites provide:

• Readability for people with visual impairment (color contrast, resizable text, alt text)
• Keyboard navigation for those who cannot (or prefer not to) use a mouse
• Consistent layouts for those with cognitive challenges
• Captions for videos and transcripts for audio
• Logical heading structures for easier scanning

But accessibility isn’t only for users with permanent disabilities. A parent holding a baby while browsing with one hand, or a traveler with slow internet, benefit too. If you’re interested in more about how good frameworks can help you scale such features, I’ve explored this in this post on scalable business solutions.

Why accessibility matters for everyone

It’s tempting to think of accessibility as an edge case. In practice, it’s a baseline. Accessible sites are easier for everyone to use, and better for search engines and assistive technology. I’ve seen even small changes, like adding clear labels or boosting color contrast, open up sites to thousands of new users. And yes, there is a clear business case.

Here are some commercial benefits I’ve seen firsthand:

• Reach: Around 1 in 4 adults in the United States lives with a disability. That’s a significant segment you can serve.
• SEO: Proper semantic markup and clear structure supports better search ranking.
• Loyalty: Accessible brands build goodwill and word-of-mouth referrals.
• Legal safety: You avoid lawsuits and negative PR.

And ethically? Websites should be open doors, not locked gates.

Understanding the legal landscape

One of the most common questions from clients is: “Do I have a legal requirement to make my site accessible?” The answer is often, yes. The specifics depend on your business’s location and audience, but let’s break this down.

The most referenced legal drivers for digital accessibility are:

• Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in the US
• Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act (applies to US federal agencies)
• European Accessibility Act (EU)
• State or local laws (like those in California)

According to U.S. Department of Justice guidance, even private businesses serving the public need to ensure their web content is accessible. Many governments point to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), think of this as the blueprint for web inclusion. WCAG comes in versions (2.0, 2.1), and most legal cases refer to conformance at Level AA.

The California Department of Education requires WCAG 2.1 AA compliance for public content, a trend echoed worldwide. The Congressional Research Service notes that even where not always mandatory by law, WCAG forms the reference point in most legal settlements. Public sector agencies in the U.S. also follow Section 508 and WCAG for their accessibility policies.

You don’t need to be a lawyer, but you do need to pay attention. In my freelance consulting with clients, I always advise upfront accessibility work—reactive fixes are usually more stressful, expensive, and damaging to your brand.

Common accessibility barriers (and how to spot them)

In audits for clients, I find the same problems again and again. Sometimes it feels as if we all learn to make inaccessible sites before we learn to do it right. Let’s list the main obstacles your users might face, and ways you might detect them.

• Poor contrast: Low color contrast between text and background is almost invisible for many with visual challenges. Use tools like the Contrast Checker by WebAIM to test your colors.
• Missing alternative text: Non-text elements, especially images, must have alt text describing their purpose or content. This matters for screen readers and for SEO.
• Broken keyboard navigation: Every part of a page needs to be accessible by keyboard alone, in a logical order—skip links, tab order, and focus styling matter.
• Improper headings: Using headings only for styling, or skipping levels, leaves users lost. Headings should follow semantics: H1 first, then H2, H3, etc.
• Missing form labels: Forms without labels or with poorly-associated clues are a nightmare for people relying on screen readers.
• Video or audio without captions or transcripts: Content should be available in alternative formats for people with hearing loss.
• Animations and flashing content: Rapid flashes or moving items can harm people with motion sensitivity or trigger seizures. Use caution, and always provide controls to pause or stop motion.
• Dynamic content that isn’t announced: Screen readers won’t always detect content changes from AJAX or SPAs unless ARIA live regions are used properly.

For a more technical discussion on integrating APIs and back-end systems for better accessibility, take a look at my analysis of modern system integration.

Best practices for accessible development

Accessibility is a habit, not a one-time checklist. From the first line of code, I suggest you work with inclusion in mind. Every project I build as Adriano Junior starts with these practices, tested in real-world projects for clients large and small.

Use semantic HTML

HTML was designed for content structure. Semantic tags (nav, main, article, section, etc.) help assistive technology understand your layout. They also make future maintenance easier and support SEO.

• Use <button> for buttons, not <div> with onclick.
• Use real lists (<ul>, <ol>) and headings (<h1> - <h6>).
• Tables are for data, not layout.

Describe non-text content

Alt text on images, labels on form fields, and ARIA labels where appropriate provide context to those who can’t see the screen. But don’t repeat information—meaningless alt text ("image123.jpg") doesn’t help.

Label and link properly

• Every form field should have a <label> and use “for” and “id” to associate them.
• Links should describe their purpose (avoid “click here”; use “download the accessibility guide”).

Support keyboard navigation

Nothing should require a mouse to use. Make sure users can tab through menus, buttons, and all controls. Use :focus states, and don’t trap focus.

• Add skip links at the top of layouts so users can jump to the main content.
• Use logical tab order, and test it yourself.

Use ARIA with care

ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) roles, states, and properties let you define complex interactions and updates. Use ARIA where standard HTML falls short, not as a replacement. If you’re unsure, start simple.

• Role="navigation", role="main", aria-label for custom controls or landmarks.
• Aria-live for regions updated dynamically.

Design for everyone

• Choose fonts and colors with adequate contrast.
• Give users control: allow text resizing, collapsible menus.
• Use clear error messages with context.
• Avoid autoplay. Videos and carousels should always allow users to control playback.

Structure content for clarity

• Break long content into headings and short paragraphs.
• Use bullet points and lists.
• Test with real users if possible, fresh eyes spot missing cues.

Inclusive design is a conversation with your users.

Manual and automated accessibility testing

One of the best things you can do is test on real devices with real people. But I know your time (and budget) may be limited. So, I suggest a blend: combine automated testing with targeted manual checks. Both matter.

Automated tools

• Lighthouse (built into Chrome DevTools): Checks color contrast, labels, ARIA, and more.
• Axe DevTools: A browser extension for Chrome and Firefox that finds most common issues.
• WAVE: Online tool by WebAIM, instantly marks up errors and warnings.

Automated tools catch about 30-40% of issues. The rest? They need a human.

Manual testing

• Keyboard-only navigation: Tab through your site. Can you access everything? Is the tab order logical?
• Screen reader trials: Try JAWS, NVDA, or VoiceOver with your site.
• Try different contrasts and zoom levels.
• Check for moving content or tricky popups—can they be closed without a mouse?

No tool can spot everything. User feedback is pure gold. In private projects, I gather accessibility feedback early, not as an afterthought.

Business case and ethics: why prioritize accessibility?

Accessibility is more than code. It’s about how companies treat people. I always tell clients that accessible design helps avoid negative press (or lawsuits), but honestly, the upside is so much bigger than the risk.

Let’s break down some factors:

• Legal risk reduction: There’s been a clear uptick in lawsuits and demand letters against inaccessible websites, ranging from retailers to public agencies. Don’t risk it.
• Market expansion: Designing inclusively brings in more customers. Studies like this PubMed Central evaluation of accessibility barriers show massive differences between accessible and inaccessible sites, with government platforms being much more inclusive than commercial portals.
• Moral responsibility: Technology should unite, not exclude.
• SEO and brand value: Structured sites with rich descriptions rank better and build greater trust.
• Ongoing savings: Fixing barriers early is less expensive than reactive changes or handling negative feedback.

If you need a partner who truly supports inclusion, I’d argue my hybrid expertise in web, AI, and DevOps (learn more about my DevOps best practices here) is hard to match. My focus is on delivering sites and cloud solutions that don’t leave anyone behind, meeting both technical and human goals.

Continuous monitoring and improvement

Accessibility is never “done.” As frameworks, browsers, and devices change, so do the rules and expectations. One lesson I’ve learned is to set up processes that catch problems before they slip to production. Here’s my typical process:

1. Incorporate accessibility into the CI/CD pipeline: Tools like axe-core CLI or pa11y can run in your test automation, failing builds with new errors.
2. Schedule regular manual audits: Annually or quarterly, run through keyboard testing and user feedback cycles.
3. Train content editors: Non-developers can break sites if they upload images with missing alt text or publish headings out of order.
4. Update dependencies: Keep libraries up to date, as they may introduce accessibility fixes.
5. Invite user testing: Real users spot issues automated scans miss. Incentivize feedback and listen carefully.

If you need more guidance on building cloud pipelines that support accessible deployments and robust DevOps, see my related advice on my about page, and explore service options at my digital services overview.

My approach: website accessibility as a developer and consultant

This might sound idealistic, but I think the best results come from partnering closely with clients and their actual users. Here’s how I work for freelance clients needing accessible websites, cloud backends, or AI-powered apps:

• Consultation first: We discuss audience, brand, and goals, not just compliance checklists.
• Code with inclusion as a baseline: My toolkits include modern PHP, JavaScript, and AWS. But the central theme is always: “Will everyone be able to use this?”
• Blend automated and human feedback: Robust CI setups test accessibility, but real testers and client stakeholders shape each release.
• Education: I train teams, so accessibility stays after launch, not just during the build.
• Ongoing support: Accessibility is part of every update and retainer I offer.

Many competitors focus purely on automation or offer generic compliance overlays. In my experience, these cannot match the depth of engagement from custom-built services. When you partner with me, you tap into not just years of engineering expertise, but also a passion for building digital products anyone can use—today and tomorrow.

Getting started: your accessibility improvement plan

If you’re ready to make a new site, or adapt an old one, my advice is to start simple and iterate continuously. Here’s my preferred roadmap with clients:

1. Audit your current site. Run it through WAVE, axe, or Lighthouse. Manually navigate with a keyboard.
2. Prioritize fixes by user need and business value. Forms and navigation are typically urgent.
3. Incorporate accessibility into new features from day one. Don’t patch later.
4. Test early, test often. Involve at least two real users, if possible.
5. Document and enforce accessibility standards internally. Make it part of your definition of “done.”

For businesses or solo founders, working with a senior consultant who’s lived through changing accessibility standards, multiple frameworks, and cross-cultural user bases is a unique edge. That’s the service Adriano Junior provides: technical depth, practical advice, and an ethic of inclusion powering your digital journey.

Conclusion: Build websites that include everyone

Inclusive sites are not just good for the world, they’re good for business, innovation, and satisfaction. The best part? Each improvement opens your digital doors a little wider. If you want a technical partner who is as invested in your users as you are, and who brings modern, real-world experience in software, AI, and cloud deployments, then consider working with me for your next project. Let’s make the web work for everyone. Check the full range of my services here, and if you’re ready for a consultation, don’t hesitate to reach out.

Frequently asked questions

What are website accessibility services?

Website accessibility services make sure digital content, applications, and interfaces are usable for people of all abilities. This can include audits (finding barriers), remediation (fixing issues), consulting, training, and ongoing testing. As a developer, I partner with businesses to integrate inclusion into every step, not just as a late fix. Compared to narrow, tool-driven competitors, my solutions balance automation with hands-on attention and in-depth consulting for longer-lasting impact.

Why do developers need accessibility services?

Developers must address accessibility in order to reach broader audiences, comply with legal requirements, and build positive brand reputations. Accessibility isn’t just about ethics; it’s also connected to metrics, conversions, and public perception. Specialists offer insight into standards, help avoid lawsuits, and identify usability gaps that generic checks may miss.

How to choose an accessibility service?

When choosing, ask: Does the provider have technical expertise, up-to-date knowledge of WCAG and legal standards, hands-on testing, and good communication? A service focused only on automation or overlays will miss deeper issues. As Adriano Junior, my approach blends custom coding, consulting, and education, ideal for businesses wanting real, ongoing results.

How much do accessibility services cost?

Costs vary based on audit depth, remediation needs, and site complexity. Basic audits can start at a few hundred dollars, while full service for larger projects may reach several thousand. My freelance consulting can flex to your needs, from quick audits to full ongoing support, so you don’t pay for generic, one-size-fits-no-one packages.

What are the top accessibility tools for developers?

Key tools I use include:

• Lighthouse (in Chrome DevTools)
• Axe DevTools for browsers
• WAVE by WebAIM
• NVDA and JAWS (screen readers for manual testing)
• Contrast Checker from WebAIM

These tools spot most technical barriers, but the best approach combines automation with real user testing and hands-on code review.