Five Easy Accessibility Wins: Quick, actionable steps that make a big impact.

Photo by Anna Shvets

With the European Accessibility Act (EAA) coming into effect on 28 June 2025, it's crucial to ensure your digital content is accessible to all users. Whether you're writing copy, coding, or designing a website, here are five quick wins to enhance accessibility:​

1. Provide Alt Text for Images

Alt text (alternative text) is essential for users who rely on screen readers to interpret images. For non-decorative images, provide concise and descriptive alt text that conveys the purpose and content of the image. For decorative images, use an empty alt attribute (alt="") to indicate they can be ignored by assistive technologies. Remember, alt text not only aids accessibility but also improves SEO.

2. Establish a Clear Visual Hierarchy 

A well-structured visual hierarchy enhances readability and comprehension. Use sans-serif typefaces, appropriate font sizes (minimum 14 pixels), adequate line spacing (ideally 150%), and sufficient white space to organize content effectively. Utilize semantic HTML tags (<h1> to <h6>, <p>, <ul>, <ol>, <li>) to structure your content, ensuring that headings and subheadings are in hierarchical order. This approach benefits all users, especially those using assistive technologies.

3. Use Center-Aligned Text Sparingly

Center-aligned text can be challenging to read, particularly for users with dyslexia or cognitive disabilities. It's best to left-align text, especially for longer passages. If you choose to center-align text, limit it to short sections, such as headings or captions, and avoid using it for blocks of text longer than two lines.

4. Write in Plain Language

Clear and straightforward language ensures your content is understandable to a broad audience, including individuals with cognitive disabilities and those who are non-native speakers. Use concise sentences, break up long paragraphs, and minimize the use of jargon and complex words. Tools like readability checkers can help assess the clarity of your text.

5. Ensure Sufficient Colour Contrast

Adequate colour contrast between text and background is vital for users with visual impairments. Aim for a minimum contrast ratio of 4.5:1 to meet Level AA standards outlined by the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0. Utilize online contrast checker tools to verify your colour choices. Additionally, avoid relying solely on colour to convey information; incorporate other visual cues like underlines or icons to ensure clarity.

By implementing these five strategies, you can significantly enhance the accessibility of your digital content, creating a more inclusive experience for all users.

Would you like to know more?

Beyond websites, accessibility is just as crucial for emails—and often overlooked! In my Email Accessibility Presentation, I break down best practices to ensure your emails are inclusive, readable, and effective for all users.