I'll be honest—accessibility wasn't always on my radar. It took seeing more web professionals discussing it on social media, and then hearing about the Domino's lawsuit, for me to really start paying attention. That case was a wake-up call: a major company faced legal action because their website wasn't accessible.
But here's what I've learned in the years since: most business owners seem to think accessibility is either too expensive or unnecessary for their audience. The reality? More than one in four adults has a disability. That's not a niche market—that's a significant portion of any business's potential customers. This issue is about shifting that mindset and showing why accessibility isn't just about avoiding lawsuits or doing the right thing (though it's both). It's smart business that opens your doors to everyone—and there's a simple two-minute test that shows you exactly where those doors might be stuck.
🔎 SPOTLIGHT
The Keyboard Navigation Test
Want to spot accessibility issues in under two minutes? Try navigating your website using only the Tab key. When I do this while testing for accessibility issues, I often find problems I'd completely missed—like discovering a client's main contact form was impossible to submit via keyboard because the submit button hadn't been properly coded by a previous developer. This simple test reveals how many sites become completely unusable without a mouse, and it's something every designer and developer should try at least once.
💡 DEEP DIVE
What You Discover When You Step Into Your Users' Shoes
Web accessibility isn't just about one thing—it's about ensuring your website works for people who navigate the web in fundamentally different ways. Some rely on keyboards instead of mice. Others use screen readers that convert text to speech. Many need high contrast displays or larger text. When we design only for the "typical" user experience, we create invisible barriers that prevent real customers from reaching out.
Take keyboard navigation as one example. When you navigate a website using only the Tab key, you quickly discover issues that are completely invisible to mouse users. Contact forms that work perfectly with a mouse become unusable. Submit buttons disappear. Dropdown menus become inaccessible.
But keyboard users are just one group. Screen reader users depend on properly structured HTML and descriptive text to understand page content. Users with visual impairments need sufficient color contrast and the ability to resize text. Those with motor disabilities might need larger click targets and more time to complete forms.
Here's the reality: millions of people access websites using assistive technologies or alternative navigation methods. When we ignore accessibility, we're not just excluding these users—we're leaving money on the table.
The Great Accessibility Misconception
Most business owners think accessibility is about compliance or avoiding lawsuits. While legal considerations matter, the real story is business opportunity. When you design for accessibility, you don't just help people with disabilities—you create better experiences for everyone.
The Two-Minute Keyboard Test
Want to see your website the way many users do? Try this simple exercise:
Navigate your website using only the Tab key on your keyboard to move between elements and Enter to click. As you do this, ask yourself:
- Can you reach every button and link?
- Is it obvious which element you're currently focused on?
- Can you complete your contact form without a mouse?
- Do dropdown menus work with keyboard navigation?
Most websites fail this test spectacularly.
Why Accessibility Breaks Down
Invisible Focus States: Many sites don't show which element is currently selected when using Tab navigation. Users are essentially navigating blind.
Poor Color Contrast: Text that's hard to read for users with visual impairments is often hard to read for everyone, especially on mobile devices.
Missing Alternative Text: Images without descriptive alt text leave screen reader users guessing about visual content.
Tab Order Chaos: Elements might be reachable by keyboard but in illogical order—jumping from header to footer to sidebar randomly.
Custom Elements Gone Wrong: Fancy dropdown menus and buttons often work with mouse clicks but ignore keyboard input and screen reader compatibility entirely.
Hidden Skip Links: Without "skip to main content" links, keyboard users must tab through entire navigation menus to reach page content.
Beyond Compliance: The Business Benefits
Better accessibility often means better usability for everyone. Clear heading structures help screen readers but also improve SEO. High color contrast helps visually impaired users but also makes your site more readable on mobile devices in bright sunlight. Descriptive link text helps screen reader users and improves user experience for everyone.
I've seen accessibility improvements lead to:
- Better search engine rankings (search engines read sites similarly to screen readers)
- Improved mobile experiences
- Higher conversion rates (clearer navigation helps everyone)
- Reduced support requests (when sites are easier to use)
The Empathy FactorThe most powerful accessibility insight isn't technical—it's human. When you start thinking about the person who relies on a screen reader to browse your services, the user with limited motor control who navigates entirely by keyboard, or someone who needs high contrast to read your content, website decisions become less about preference and more about inclusion.
Every time you design a form, choose colors, or structure content, you're deciding who gets to easily access your business and who doesn't.
Start with the keyboard test. It takes two minutes and will change how you see web usability forever.
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