Creating accessible content isn’t about ticking boxes or limiting creativity. It’s about making sure your work can be understood, enjoyed, and used by as many people as possible — whatever their abilities, environment, or technology. Good accessibility improves clarity, reach, and impact for everyone.

Below are simple, practical tips you can build into your workflow from day one.

Start with clear structure

Well-structured content is easier to navigate for all users, including those using assistive technologies.

Tips:

• Use proper headings (H1, H2, H3) in a logical order

• Break long text into short paragraphs

• Use bullet points and lists where appropriate

• Avoid walls of text

Why it matters:
Screen readers rely on structure to help users navigate quickly and confidently.

Write for clarity, not complexity

Plain language benefits everyone — especially people with cognitive impairments, learning disabilities, or those reading in a second language.

Tips:

• Keep sentences short and direct

• Avoid jargon where possible (or explain it)

• Use active voice

• Say what you mean — clearly

Why it matters:
Clear writing reduces effort, fatigue, and misunderstanding.

Make images meaningful (or ignorable)

Images should either add value or stay out of the way.

Tips:

• Add alt text that describes the purpose of the image, not just what it looks like

• Keep alt text concise and relevant

• Leave decorative images with empty alt text so screen readers skip them

Ask yourself:
“If this image didn’t load, what would someone need to know?”

Video and audio: always offer alternatives

Multimedia should never rely on sound or visuals alone.

Tips:

• Provide captions for all video content

• Include transcripts for audio-only content

• Consider audio description when visuals carry essential information

• Avoid embedding critical information only in music or sound effects

Why it matters:
Captions help Deaf users, neurodivergent users, people watching without sound — and anyone in a noisy café.

Colour and contrast matter more than you think

Design choices can unintentionally exclude users.

Tips:

• Ensure strong contrast between text and background

• Never rely on colour alone to convey meaning (e.g. “press the green button”)

• Use readable font sizes and avoid overly decorative typefaces

Quick check:
Would this still work in black and white?

Make content keyboard-friendly

Not everyone uses a mouse or touchscreen.

Tips:

• Ensure links, buttons, and forms can be accessed via keyboard

• Use clear focus states (users should see where they are)

• Avoid complex hover-only interactions

Why it matters:
Keyboard access is essential for many disabled users and power users alike.

Be thoughtful with links and buttons

Links should make sense out of context.

Avoid:
“Click here” or “Read more”

Instead:
“Read our accessibility policy”
“Download the event schedule (PDF)”

Why it matters:
Screen reader users often navigate via lists of links.

Test early, test often

Accessibility isn’t something you bolt on at the end.

Simple checks you can do today:

• Zoom text to 200% — does it still work?

• Navigate your page using only a keyboard

• Turn on captions and mute the sound

• Use a screen reader preview if available

Accessibility is an ongoing practice

You don’t need to get everything perfect on day one. What matters is building awareness, asking better questions, and improving over time.

Accessible content is:

• More inclusive

• More usable

• More resilient

• Better for SEO and engagement.