12 Innovative Accessible Website Templates to Inspire Inclusive Design
Web accessibility is crucial for
ensuring that people of all abilities can enjoy and navigate the web. With over
a billion people worldwide living with some form of disability, it's essential
that websites are designed with inclusivity in mind. For web designers,
achieving both visually stunning and accessible websites can feel like a
challenging balance. However, it’s entirely possible, and some of the most
impressive websites today are not only beautiful but also exceptionally
accessible.
In this article, we explore 12
examples of websites that excel in accessibility and offer inspiration for
designers looking to create inclusive, user-friendly digital experiences.
What
Does Great Web Accessibility Look Like?
Accessibility refers to the practice
of making websites usable for people with various disabilities. According to
the World Bank, approximately 15% of the global population has some form of
disability. These disabilities can be divided into several categories:
- Visual Impairments:
These include blindness, color blindness, and low vision. For individuals
with visual impairments, websites should offer high-contrast colors,
readable fonts, and text narration options.
- Hearing Impairments:
Users who are D/deaf or hard of hearing often benefit from closed captions
or transcripts for audio and video content.
- Physical Disabilities:
Some users experience mobility impairments that may make using a mouse or
precise touch difficult. Accessible websites should allow for keyboard
navigation and support assistive technologies.
- Cognitive Disabilities: Users with conditions like dyslexia or auditory
processing disorders require websites that use clear, simple language,
readable fonts, and other cognitive-friendly features.
To ensure that websites are
accessible, developers follow guidelines such as the Web Content
Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), which are structured around four guiding
principles: Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, and Robust (POUR).
These principles ensure that websites are usable for all, regardless of
ability.
Now, let’s explore 12 websites that
exemplify accessible design in practice.
1.
Scope
Scope is a disability equality
charity based in the UK, and its website serves as a stellar example of
accessibility. It adheres to WCAG 2.0 and 2.1 guidelines and even provides
customization options for users. The site allows visitors to change the color
scheme, adjust text size, or enable text-to-speech narration.
Scope's accessibility page includes
detailed instructions on how users can adjust their experience, links to
assistive technologies, and a list of ongoing accessibility improvements. The
clean, readable font choices and large text make it easy to navigate, while the
site’s commitment to continuous accessibility improvements sets a high bar for
others.
2.
Harvard University
Harvard University’s website is
another example of excellent accessibility design. It offers multiple reading
tools, multilingual video subtitles, and color schemes that cater to users with
color blindness. Harvard’s website is easy to navigate with a simple,
high-contrast design that ensures all users can access information efficiently.
For those who need help, Harvard’s
website offers a variety of options, including video captions and other
assistive technologies to provide an inclusive experience for everyone.
3.
Paralympic.org
As the official website of the
International Paralympic Committee (IPC), Paralympic.org emphasizes
inclusivity through design. The website offers keyboard-friendly navigation,
large images and videos, and clear visual cues to help users with a range of
disabilities.
There’s also an adjustable text size
option in the top-right corner, which allows users to customize the site’s
content to meet their needs. The overall design prioritizes readability and
ease of navigation, making it accessible for all users.
4.
Walmart
Walmart's website is a fantastic
example of accessible e-commerce. One important WCAG guideline is that
interactive elements should be “focus visible,” meaning users can easily see
which element is currently in focus. Walmart’s site does this well, with clear
highlights for buttons, links, and form fields.
The navigation is user-friendly,
with easy access to search functions, account management, and shopping cart
links. The site also supports both mouse and keyboard navigation, making it
accessible to a broad audience.
5.
KidsWish
KidsWish, an organization providing therapy and support services for
children with disabilities, has designed its website with accessibility at the
forefront. The site uses a bold, high-contrast color scheme, large fonts, and
intuitive navigation, making it easy for all users to interact with the site.
Additionally, KidsWish’s website
features fun, engaging visuals that appeal to its audience, which includes
children. The accessible design doesn’t sacrifice aesthetic appeal, proving
that inclusivity and creativity can go hand in hand.
6.
Nomensa
Nomensa, a UX design agency, places
a strong emphasis on accessibility, not only through their own website but also
by offering accessibility testing services for clients. The agency provides an
online tool for testing how well websites meet WCAG standards.
Nomensa’s site itself is a model of
accessible design, with clear navigation, easy-to-read typography, and a layout
that prioritizes user experience. The team behind the agency’s website includes
a co-chair of the W3C, further highlighting the company’s commitment to
accessibility in web design.
7.
BBC
The BBC website is widely
recognized for its accessibility features. The site includes a wide array of
content, from text to video, and ensures that all elements are accessible to a
diverse range of users. The BBC employs keyboard shortcuts, readable fonts, and
high-contrast color schemes, making it easier for users with visual or
cognitive impairments to access content.
The BBC also offers captions for
videos and audio, providing an inclusive experience for D/deaf and
hard-of-hearing individuals.
8.
WebAIM
WebAIM (Web Accessibility in Mind) is a non-profit organization
dedicated to providing accessibility training and resources. Their website itself
is a prime example of how to design an accessible site that also delivers a
positive user experience.
WebAIM's homepage includes clear
navigation, high-contrast text, and a simple layout that is easy to understand.
The site also features detailed accessibility tutorials and guidelines for
users and designers alike.
9.
GOV.UK
The UK government’s official
website, GOV.UK, is a great example of a public sector site that is
designed with accessibility in mind. The site adheres to WCAG guidelines and
features clear, concise text, simple navigation, and an intuitive structure.
GOV.UK also ensures that all multimedia content is accessible, providing text
versions for all videos and audio.
The minimalistic design focuses on
usability, ensuring that all users can find the information they need,
regardless of ability.
10.
Apple
Apple’s website is known for its
sleek, clean design and its commitment to accessibility. The company ensures
that its website supports screen readers, closed captioning, and offers a range
of assistive technologies to accommodate users with disabilities.
Apple also offers customizations
like text resizing and color contrast adjustments, ensuring that the site is
accessible to people with various visual impairments.
11.
The American Foundation for the Blind (AFB)
The AFB website is
specifically designed to support individuals who are blind or visually
impaired. The site is compatible with screen readers and features high-contrast
colors and easily navigable content.
In addition to its design, AFB
provides resources on how to make websites more accessible, including
guidelines for both developers and content creators.
12.
Airbnb
Airbnb’s website is another
excellent example of an accessible design that balances aesthetics with
functionality. The site offers clear navigation and text that is easy to read,
even on mobile devices.
Airbnb also supports screen readers
and provides alternative text for all images, ensuring that users with visual
impairments can fully engage with the content. The site’s simple layout and
intuitive design make it easy for users of all abilities to find and book
accommodations.
Conclusion
Designing an accessible website
requires careful consideration of users’ needs, but as the examples above show,
it’s possible to create a beautiful, functional site that is accessible to
everyone. By following guidelines such as WCAG and focusing on the four
principles of accessibility — perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust
— you can ensure that your website meets the needs of all users, regardless of
their abilities.
These 12 websites are shining examples of how accessibility can be integrated into web design without compromising on visual appeal or user experience. Let them inspire your own accessible website designs, and remember that inclusivity is not just a trend, but a fundamental aspect of web development in today’s world.