How to Make Your Website Accessible for People with Disabilities
Website accessibility is not only a technical consideration. For public sector organisations, it is a core part of delivering inclusive digital services that all residents, staff, and stakeholders can use independently. An accessible website helps people with visual, hearing, motor, and cognitive disabilities access information, complete tasks, and engage with public services without unnecessary barriers.
For EU public sector institutions, accessibility also sits alongside wider responsibilities such as transparency, equal access to services, GDPR, and compliance with recognised standards. In practice, this means accessibility should be considered from the start of any website project, not added as a final check before launch. A useful way to begin is to review your website against a set of practical questions.
10 Questions for Evaluating Website Accessibility
1. Do all images have ALT tags?
Alternative text allows screen readers to describe images to users who cannot see them. This is especially important for informative images, charts, icons, and service-related visuals that communicate meaning.
Public sector websites often contain diagrams, logos, maps, and process illustrations. Each image should have appropriate alternative text, while purely decorative images should be marked so assistive technologies can ignore them.
2. Does video or audio content include subtitles?
Captions and subtitles help users who are deaf or hard of hearing understand multimedia content. They also support people accessing content in quiet environments, in noisy public spaces, or in a second language.
If your institution publishes briefings, announcements, consultations, or training materials, subtitles should be treated as standard. Where appropriate, transcripts can provide an additional accessible format and improve searchability.
3. Are all form buttons requiring action from the visitor clearly labelled?
Forms are often the most important part of a public sector website, whether users are submitting applications, requesting information, or contacting a department. Buttons, fields, and instructions must be clearly labelled so users understand what action is required.
Labels such as Submit application, Download document, or Continue to payment are more helpful than vague wording. Clear labels also reduce user error and support compliance by making digital processes easier to complete correctly.
4. Is all text readable when the window is resized?
Users may enlarge text or zoom in to read content more comfortably. Your website should remain usable and readable when text size changes or when the browser window is reduced.
This matters particularly for older users and people with low vision. Responsive layouts, flexible text sizing, and proper spacing help ensure content remains accessible across devices and assistive settings.
5. Is the website functionality predictable?
Predictable interfaces help users understand how to move through a website without confusion. Navigation, buttons, menus, and page layouts should behave consistently from one section to another.
For public institutions, predictability is essential because users often visit the site to complete important tasks under time pressure. Unexpected pop-ups, inconsistent navigation, or changing button behaviour can create unnecessary barriers and reduce trust.
6. Is the colour contrast sufficient?
Text and interface elements need enough contrast against their background to remain readable. Good contrast supports users with low vision, colour vision deficiencies, and anyone using a screen in poor lighting conditions.
Contrast should be checked across body text, headings, buttons, links, and form fields. Accessibility should never rely on colour alone to communicate meaning, especially in status messages, alerts, or validation errors.
7. Is the content presented in a proper structure?
A clear heading structure helps all users understand the page, and it is particularly important for people using screen readers. Pages should use headings in a logical order, with lists, tables, and sections marked up correctly.
Well-structured content also improves usability for busy decision-makers and members of the public who need to find information quickly. It supports better content governance and makes future updates easier for internal teams.
8. Is there a clear option for keyboard navigation?
Many users cannot use a mouse and rely on a keyboard or assistive technology to move through a website. All key functions, including menus, forms, search, and document downloads, should be accessible using only the keyboard.
A visible focus indicator is equally important so users can see where they are on the page. Keyboard accessibility should be tested in real user journeys, not only on isolated components.
9. Are links clearly visible?
Links should stand out from surrounding text and be easy to identify. Underlining, strong contrast, and consistent styling make links easier to recognise, especially for users with visual or cognitive impairments.
On public sector websites, links often lead to essential documents, service pages, and legal information. If links are difficult to spot, users may miss important actions or fail to access key information.
10. Are links comprehensible without context?
Link text should explain where the user will go or what they will open. Phrases such as Read more or Click here are not helpful when read out of context by assistive technologies.
Instead, use descriptive wording such as Download the annual report or View procurement guidelines. This improves accessibility, supports clearer navigation, and helps users make informed choices.
Accessibility as an Ongoing Responsibility
Accessibility is not a one-off exercise. Content updates, new documents, embedded tools, and third-party integrations can all introduce barriers over time. Public sector organisations should therefore include accessibility in procurement, design, content publishing, quality assurance, and ongoing maintenance.
It is also important to consider accessibility alongside GDPR and wider compliance obligations. For example, accessible forms should collect only necessary personal data, explain how information will be used, and present consent or privacy information in a clear and understandable way. Accessibility and compliance work best when they are addressed together as part of a well-governed digital service.
By reviewing these ten areas regularly, public sector institutions can create websites that are more inclusive, more usable, and better aligned with their public service mission.