Green Ticks but was it an Accessible Website?
Many organisations believe they have an accessible website because it passes automated checks. They see the green ticks, assume everything is fine, and move on. That confidence can lead to serious problems when compliance, usability, and legal expectations collide. The real question is not whether your website looks accessible to a machine. The question is whether it works for people who rely on assistive technology every day. That is where real website accessibility design begins.
Why Green Ticks Are Not Enough
Automated testing tools can be helpful, especially when used early in a project. These tools can identify missing alt text, incorrect heading levels, or contrast problems. However, they only catch a fraction of the issues that affect real users. They cannot assess whether a screen reader can follow the structure of a page logically. They cannot identify whether someone using a keyboard alone can complete a form. They cannot judge whether an interactive element actually makes sense when heard through a voice interface. That is why an accessible website must go beyond technical checks and focus on human experience.
A Real-Life Example
We were recently approached by a well-established academic research organisation. Their membership includes universities and institutions from across Europe, with half of their users based within the EU. The team contacted us because they were interested in improving accessibility on their existing website. They were also considering accessibility training for their staff. From the beginning, it was clear that this was not a case of a careless or reluctant organisation. They had asked for an accessible website from the outset. Their intentions were good. They believed the site they had commissioned met accessibility standards.
First Impressions Can Be Misleading
The website appeared to pass automated tools with flying colours. Pages returned zero errors in WAVE. Headings looked consistent. Alt tags were present. The colour contrast ratios checked out. It was everything they thought an accessible website should be. That belief made the reality even more surprising. During an initial review, it became immediately obvious that the site had serious issues when tested with real assistive technology. The main navigation could not be accessed using a screen reader. Landmark roles were missing. There were no skip links. Keyboard traps made several sections unusable without a mouse.
How Website Accessibility Design Was Missed
The organisation had specified accessibility in their original brief. The agency they hired believed they had delivered on that brief. However, the approach had been technical rather than experiential. The team had used tools and followed checklists but had not involved disabled users in the process. Without that lived experience, several core design decisions failed to meet the needs of real people. This is not unusual. Many agencies mean well but are unaware of the gaps in their knowledge. That is why accessible website development must include both compliance and usability from the beginning.
The Shock Of Discovery
When we presented our findings, the client was visibly surprised. They had assumed the site was still performing well. They had not realised that accessibility was about far more than code quality or visual design. To their credit, they responded positively and were eager to learn. They asked thoughtful questions and made it clear they wanted to take the right steps moving forward. They also wanted to involve the original agency, which remains under contract. This decision opened the door for collaboration and training rather than blame. That approach often leads to better long-term results for everyone involved.
We Do Not Blame Developers If They Have Not Built An Accessible Website
This is important. The agency had not deliberately misled the client. They had done their best with the tools they understood. They had delivered something that ticked all the boxes they believed mattered. What they lacked was experience with users who interact with websites in different ways. That missing perspective is what website accessibility design seeks to address. By including disabled testers, we identify where digital services break down. By involving developers, we create a culture of learning and improvement. No one benefits from pointing fingers. Everyone benefits from growing in understanding.
How Our Audits Bridge The Gap
When organisations choose to work with us, they receive far more than a checklist of problems. Every accessibility audit we produce is based on real-world testing by a team of disabled people. These are not theoretical exercises. They are lived experiences. We pair this insight with detailed technical feedback, short video demonstrations, and practical next steps. Our goal is to help teams understand what needs fixing and why. That knowledge enables real progress. In this case, the client gained a deeper appreciation for how inaccessible their website had become. The agency gained a roadmap for meaningful improvement.
Designing For Everyone
Website accessibility design is not about adding features later. It is about creating structures that work for everyone from the beginning. That includes people with visual impairments, motor limitations, cognitive differences, and more. It means thinking about keyboard navigation, screen reader output, focus order, semantic structure, and plain language. It also means testing each of these elements with people who depend on them. The goal is to create digital spaces that welcome, include, and support all users. An accessible website is not an optional extra. It is a fundamental part of inclusive design.
Understanding Legal Responsibilities That Go With An Accessible Website
This academic organisation operates within the United Kingdom. However, because it serves users across Europe, it must comply with evolving requirements around accessibility. These expectations are increasing. New laws are being introduced across different jurisdictions. Penalties for non-compliance are becoming more common. The safest course of action is to ensure that your website meets both local and international accessibility standards. That includes testing by real users, regular reviews, and a public-facing accessibility statement that outlines progress. This is where we help organisations protect themselves while doing the right thing.
Training Your Team Matters
One of the most effective ways to improve accessibility is to build internal confidence. That is why we offer bespoke accessibility training tailored to each client. Our sessions are designed to help content teams, developers, and managers understand how accessibility applies to their work. We use real-life examples, direct demonstrations, and interactive discussions. The goal is not just awareness. The goal is capability. When organisations understand the difference between automated tests and human usability, their teams start making better decisions from the start of each project. This leads to better outcomes across the board.
From False Confidence To Real Inclusion With An Accessible Website
This story serves as a powerful reminder. Even well-intentioned organisations can fall into the trap of false confidence. A green tick on a dashboard is not the same as real accessibility. A compliant template is not the same as an inclusive experience. The good news is that these gaps can be closed. With the right support, clear audits, and user-led insights, any website can be transformed into one that works for everyone. That is what we specialise in.
Start With An Honest Audit On Your Journey Towards An Accessible Website
You may not need to rebuild your website from scratch. Many accessibility problems can be resolved through informed adjustments. However, the first step is understanding what needs to change. A thorough accessibility audit gives you that insight. It gives your team clarity, direction, and confidence. Whether you are a small organisation, a large public body, or a digital agency, the process begins with an honest conversation. We invite you to take that step with us. Explore our audits and learn how an accessible website can help you build trust, meet obligations, and serve your users more effectively.
Explore More
To learn more about real-world accessibility and usability, here are two valuable external resources:
To discover how we approach this work, visit our home page for accessible websites or explore our full accessibility training services. We are here to support you at every stage of the journey.