Every year on 4 June, World Day for Assistive Technology celebrates the tools that help people live, work, learn, and connect more independently.
For many people, assistive technology is part of everyday life. It might be a screen reader that reads web pages aloud, captions on a video, voice controls on a smartphone, or a keyboard used instead of a mouse.
These tools help remove barriers, but they can only do their job if websites and digital services are designed with accessibility in mind.
Accessibility benefits more people than you think
When people hear “website accessibility”, we often assume it’s only relevant for users with disabilities. In reality, accessibility benefits almost everyone.
Think about the last time you:
- Watched a video with captions because you were in a noisy environment
- Increased the text size on your phone
- Used voice search while driving
- Struggled to read text in bright sunlight
- Navigated a website using only your keyboard
Accessibility features help people in all sorts of situations, whether those needs are permanent, temporary or situational.
That’s why accessible design isn’t just about compliance, it’s about creating websites that are easier for everyone to use.
Our Approach to Accessible Web Design
At WebsiteNI, accessibility isn’t an afterthought. We design and develop websites with accessibility best practices in mind and can build websites to meet WCAG 2.2 standards where required. Our goal is to create online experiences that are inclusive, user-friendly, and accessible to as many people as possible.
Learn more about WCAG standards through the W3C Web Accessibility Initiative.
Some of the ways we improve accessibility include:
Making navigation simple
Not everyone uses a mouse. Some people rely on keyboards, screen readers, or other assistive technologies to browse websites. That’s why we make sure users can easily move through menus, buttons, and forms using alternative navigation methods. For organisations such as Start360, clear navigation is especially important, helping visitors quickly access support services, programmes, and key information without unnecessary barriers.
Creating clear, easy to follow content
A well-structured page benefits everyone. Clear headings, logical layouts, and organised content help visitors find information quickly without feeling overwhelmed. This is particularly important on larger websites, such as UISCE, where users need to access important information efficiently.
Designing for readability
Accessibility starts with making content easy to read. We use strong colour contrast, clear typography, and thoughtful spacing to ensure content is accessible across devices and environments. On the Alive Outside website, readability and user experience were key considerations, helping visitors easily browse activities, resources, and information whether they’re on mobile or desktop.
You can test your own website using the WebAIM Contrast Checker.
Supportive assistive technologies
Screen readers and other assistive technologies rely on websites being built correctly behind the scenes. For projects such as Concra Wood, we incorporate accessibility best practices including semantic page structures and descriptive alternative text to help create a more inclusive browsing experience.
To learn more about screen readers:
Continually Improving
Accessibility isn’t something you tick off a checklist and forget about. As websites evolve, accessibility needs to evolve too. That’s why we regularly review and test our websites using tools such as:
Why accessibility makes business sense
Creating an accessible website isn’t just the right thing to do—it’s good for business too.
Accessible websites can:
- Reach a wider audience
- Improve the overall user experience
- Support SEO and search visibility
- Increase engagement and conversions
- Demonstrate a commitment to inclusion
Whether it’s a visitor looking for support through Start360, planning an outdoor activity with Alive Outside, or researching a golf getaway at Concra Wood, every user deserves a website that works for them.
Building a better web for everyone
World Day for Assistive Technology is a reminder that technology has the power to open doors, create opportunities, and connect people.
By building accessibility into every website we create, we’re helping make the web a more inclusive place—one where everyone can access information, services, and opportunities, regardless of ability. At WebsiteNI, we’re proud to play our part in building a better web for everyone.
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