How Accessible Design Benefits Everyone

Web Accessibility isn't just about compliance, it’s about designing experiences that work better for everyone. From captions to contrast settings, small changes in design and development can remove friction for all users, not just those with disabilities.

In this post, we explore some everyday accessibility features you might already benefit from, and why they matter for inclusive, user-friendly design.

Problem 1: Unreadable Text Creates Barriers

Unreadable text is a common accessibility issue. Poor font choices, tight spacing, and fixed-size text can exclude users, especially those with low vision, colour blindness, dyslexia, or cognitive issues. And not all disabilities are visible. 

The Solution: Legible, Flexible Typography

Using clear fonts, appropriate spacing, and allowing for resizable text makes content more accessible and inclusive. These small, thoughtful design choices support users who need to adjust font sizes and improve readability for everyone; whether they’re reading in bright sunlight, on smaller screens, or simply prefer larger text. 

The Result: Accessibility Built Into Design

Putting these principles into practice, we applied them while designing the Arts Council of Northern Ireland's website — a project with a strong focus on inclusion and User Experience (UX). 

We ensured that text could be resized without disrupting layout or clarity. This gives users, including those with visual impairments or reading difficulties, the flexibility to engage with the context comfortably - no matter their device, environment, or personal needs.

By removing barriers and implementing accessible text features, we’re not just meeting accessibility requirements, we’re creating products that work for everyone.

Problem 2: Poor Contrast Hinders Legibility

Low contrast between text and background is one of the most common and avoidable barriers to accessibility. It affects people with low vision or colour blindness, and also impacts anyone using a screen in bright conditions, such as outdoors in sunlight or when scrolling quickly on a mobile device.

The Solution: Strong Colour Contrast Checker

At Eyekiller, we design with accessibility in mind from the outset, using tools like colour contrast checker to ensure we follow WCAG 2.2 standards. Every interface is built to meet or exceed recommended contrast ratios, reinforcing our goal to create inclusive digital experiences that work for everyone.

The Result: Easier Reading for Everyone

Good contrast doesn’t just meet technical standards, it makes websites more comfortable to use in real-life settings. Whether you're outside on a sunny day or quickly scanning content, strong contrast improves clarity, reduces fatigue, and supports effortless browsing.

Problem 3: One-Size-Fits-All Interfaces Fail to Serve Everyone

Not everyone browses in the same way. Some users prefer darker displays to reduce eye strain and others adjust their screens to warmer tones in the evening. Accessibility isn’t just about permanent needs, it's about allowing everyone to engage in the way that suits them best.

The Solution: Customisable Display Options

Customisable themes like dark mode and night shift settings make digital experiences more comfortable and user-led. These tools are particularly helpful for users with migraines, light sensitivity, or neurodivergent traits.

The Result: User-Led Accessibility

While not something we currently build into every project, features like Dark Mode are a great example of user-led accessibility, and we recognise their value in inclusive design thinking. This flexibility demonstrates that accessibility goes beyond meeting minimum requirements, it’s about removing barriers and empowering more people to interact comfortably with digital content. Ultimately, it’s about crafting inclusive and adaptable interfaces that support users on their own terms. 

Problem 4: Multimedia Content Can Exclude

Videos without captions or transcripts leave out users who are Deaf or hard of hearing. But they also exclude users watching without sound, in noisy environments, or those learning a new language. It’s a common frustration - trying to watch a video but not being able to follow what’s happening because you can’t hear the audio in your current surroundings.

The Solution: Captions and Transcripts

Captions and transcripts provide multiple ways to access content, making media more flexible and digestible for all users. They can be added by uploading subtitle files, typing them manually, or using automatic captioning tools. This is especially valuable in mobile contexts, where audio isn’t always practical. It’s a common frustration - trying to watch a video but not being able to follow what’s happening because you can’t hear the audio in your current surroundings.

For example, Canva’s built-in caption generator makes it easy to upload a video and add captions in just a few steps. Not only does this improve accessibility, but it also enhances SEO by helping search engines understand your video content.

The Result: Engaging, Enjoyable Content for All

This means more users can engage with and enjoy the content, no matter their surroundings, especially for those on-the-go. It allows a wider audience to connect, learn, and participate, regardless of their abilities, environment, or how they choose to access information.

Problem 5: Visual Content Without Context

Ever been frustrated by an image that won’t load, leaving you guessing what it’s meant to show? Images without alternative text (alt text) create dead ends for users relying on screen readers and for search engines trying to understand your content. They also fail to communicate when images don’t load due to poor connection or technical issues.

The Solution: Adding Descriptive Alt Text

We build websites on our-go-to platform, Craft CMS that fully supports alt text functionality. In most projects, clients manage their own content, including alt text, through an easy-to-use editor. Our development teams ensure the site’s code uses semantic HTML, so when alt text is provided, it’s correctly applied and meaningful. 

The Result: Inclusive Content and Improved SEO

Well-written alt text enhances both usability and search visibility. It supports users with screen readers, provides fallback context when images can’t load, and helps search engines better understand page content. All contributing to a more accessible, inclusive, SEO friendly website.

Problem 6: Accessibility Isn’t Just a Visual Layer

It’s easy to think of accessibility as something purely visual like colour contrast or font size but it begins much deeper, at the code level.

The Solution: Semantic, Accessible Code

As Clinton, our Lead Frontend Developer, explains: "As a frontend developer, I understand that accessibility isn’t just about adding features — it’s about how the underlying structure of a website supports all users. For example, coming from a command-line background, I often find keyboard navigation faster and more efficient. But that only works well if the site is designed with accessibility in mind. Clear focus states, logical tab order, and skip links all depend on how the code is structured."

"Beyond the visual or interactive layer, browsers generate an accessibility tree — a parallel structure derived from the DOM (Document Object Model) — which is exposed to assistive technologies like screen readers. This means our use of semantic HTML, ARIA attributes, and roles directly shapes what assistive tech users experience."

The Result: A Stronger, More Reliable Experience

This approach reinforces our belief that accessibility is foundational, it's not an add on feature. By designing inclusive experiences from the code up, we create faster, more intuitive, and more dependable digital content for everyone.

Inclusive Design Creates Better Experiences for Everyone

Accessibility goes beyond ticking boxes, it’s about creating genuinely usable and engaging digital experiences. As WCAG 3.0 evolves, the emphasis is shifting from rigid pass/fail criteria to meaningful access for all users. At Eyekiller, we embrace this mindset by designing inclusively from day one, crafting smarter websites that work for everyone.

Whether launching a new site or enhancing an existing one, prioritising accessibility builds trust, boosts usability, and strengthens your brand in the long term. By removing barriers for some, we improve the experience for all.

Get in touch with Eyekiller today to make your website more accessible, adaptable, and future-ready.