What Is Web Accessibility? A Comprehensive Guide (2026)
What is web accessibility, why does it matter, and how can you make your website accessible? A comprehensive guide covering WCAG standards, legal requirements, and practical tips.
Web accessibility is the practice of designing and developing websites and digital applications so that they can be used effectively by all users, including people with disabilities. According to the World Health Organization, approximately 16% of the world's population lives with some form of disability.
What Does Web Accessibility Mean?
Web accessibility (often abbreviated as a11y) means that web content can be perceived, operated, understood, and robust for users with visual, auditory, motor, and cognitive disabilities. These four principles form the foundation of the W3C's Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).
An accessible website has the following characteristics: perceivable content with alt text and captions, operable interfaces that work with keyboards, understandable content that is clear and consistent, and robust markup that works across assistive technologies.