What is website accessibility: a guide for entrepreneurs

What Is Web Accessibility: A Guide for Business Owners

TL;DR:

• Web accessibility ensures equal access for all users, regardless of their abilities. In Slovenia, legal requirements mandate compliance with WCAG 2.1 Level AA and regular updates to accessibility statements. Using accessibility tools, conducting manual testing, and integrating accessibility into development are key to improving user experience and maintaining a competitive advantage.

Web accessibility is the practice of designing and developing websites in a way that allows all people to use them equally, regardless of their physical, cognitive, or sensory abilities. In professional terminology, this is referred to as web accessibility, which is defined by the international WCAG 2.1 (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) standard. Since 2026, website accessibility has been a legal requirement in Slovenia under the Accessibility Act, which requires compliance with WCAG 2.1 Level AA. For business owners and managers, this is not merely a legal issue—it is an opportunity to improve user experience, expand reach, and gain a long-term competitive advantage.

What Is Web Accessibility and Which Standards Define It?

Website accessibility in Slovenia is regulated by the Accessibility of Websites and Mobile Applications Act (ZDSMA), which was updated in 2026. This law requires websites of public institutions and companies providing services of public interest to comply with WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards. Compliance means that a website is perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust for all users, including those who rely on assistive technologies such as screen readers or keyboard navigation.

WCAG 2.1 is divided into three levels: A (basic), AA (recommended), and AAA (advanced). Level AA is the legally required standard and covers requirements such as sufficient color contrast, adjustable text sizes, keyboard accessibility, and alternative text for images. The newer WCAG 2.2 version, published in 2023, introduces additional criteria, particularly for mobile devices and cognitive accessibility. Although WCAG 2.2 is not yet legally required in all jurisdictions, implementing it provides noticeable benefits for user experience.

In addition to technical requirements, the law also requires regular updates to an accessibility statement. This statement is a public document describing the website’s level of compliance and any exceptions. Regular updates to the accessibility statement are legally required at least once a year, meaning accessibility is not a one-time task but an ongoing process.

• WCAG 2.1 (AA): Legally required compliance level in Slovenia
• WCAG 2.2: Newer version with additional criteria for mobile devices and cognitive accessibility
• Accessibility Statement: Public document that must be updated at least annually
• ZDSMA: Slovenian law defining website accessibility obligations

Expert Tip: Check whether your website already has a published accessibility statement. If it does not—or if it is outdated—that is the first step toward legal compliance and a strong signal of trust for your visitors.

What Are the Most Common Accessibility Challenges?

Technical accessibility barriers on websites are more common than most business owners expect. The most common issues include insufficient color contrast, incorrect semantic HTML markup, and broken keyboard navigation. These obstacles may seem minor, but for users with visual impairments or motor disabilities, they can make a website completely unusable.

Keyboard navigation is a particularly challenging area. All interactive elements must be accessible and operable using only a keyboard, without a mouse. This requires logical focus order, visible focus indicators, and consistent behavior for buttons, links, and forms. Many websites fail to meet this requirement because developers do not test navigation without a mouse during development.

Another common mistake is relying solely on automated accessibility testing tools. Automated tools detect only 30–40% of accessibility issues. This means that most real-world barriers remain undiscovered unless manual testing is performed. Manual testing includes keyboard-only navigation, testing with screen readers such as NVDA or VoiceOver, and reviews conducted by users with disabilities.

The following steps can help you systematically address accessibility barriers:

1. Start with an automated audit using tools like WAVE or Lighthouse to identify obvious issues such as missing alternative text and low contrast.
2. Perform a manual keyboard navigation review by testing the entire website using only the Tab key and arrow keys, without a mouse.
3. Test with a screen reader (NVDA for Windows, VoiceOver for macOS and iOS) to ensure content is read in a logical and meaningful way.
4. Review CAPTCHA solutions, as traditional visual CAPTCHAs are inaccessible to blind users. Replace them with alternatives such as Google reCAPTCHA v3, which operates in the background without user interaction.
5. Integrate accessibility into the planning phase, not after development is complete. Retrofitting accessibility is more expensive and less effective.

Expert Tip: Ask a colleague who has never used your website to navigate it using only a keyboard. Observe where they get stuck. This simple exercise often reveals more issues than most automated tools.

How Accessibility Affects Business and User Experience

Website accessibility improves the user experience for everyone—not just users with disabilities. Clear structure, readable content, and intuitive navigation benefit all visitors, from older users to people browsing on mobile devices in poor lighting conditions. An aging population increases the demand for accessible digital experiences, as vision, hearing, and mobility challenges become more common and affect a growing portion of society.

Accessible design also has a direct impact on SEO. Accessibility improves readability, structure, and search engine visibility. Alternative image text, proper heading hierarchy, and semantic HTML are both accessibility requirements and SEO best practices for search engines such as Google and Bing. An accessible website is often a better-indexed website.

Ignoring accessibility creates real risks. Companies that fail to comply with ZDSMA requirements may face inspections and penalties. Beyond legal risks, they also lose access to market segments that include people with disabilities, older adults, and temporarily impaired users. More than 87 million people in the European Union live with some form of disability—a market no business can afford to ignore.

• Accessible websites tend to have lower bounce rates because content is easier to understand.
• Companies that invest in accessibility strengthen their reputation as responsible and inclusive brands.
• Accessibility features such as adjustable text sizes and high-contrast modes improve reading comfort for all users, not just those with visual impairments.

How to Improve Web Accessibility: Practical Tips and Tools

Improving website accessibility begins with assessing the current state of your site. WAVE (Web Accessibility Evaluation Tool) is a free solution that provides a quick review of common issues such as missing alternative text, incorrectly labeled forms, and low color contrast. WAVE is an excellent starting point, but it should not be your only tool because it identifies only part of the problem and cannot replace manual testing.

For websites built on platforms such as WordPress or Divi, dedicated accessibility plugins are available. AccessYes Accessibility Widget and Divi Accessibility are examples of tools that enable adjustments such as contrast controls, text resizing, and animation management with minimal technical knowledge. These plugins do not solve every issue, but they are a good starting point for websites without dedicated development support.

Accessibility should become part of everyday processes, not just a one-time project. Whenever you publish content, add alternative text to images, use a proper heading hierarchy (H1, H2, H3), and avoid embedding important text inside images. When commissioning a new website or redesign, require that accessibility be built into the planning and development process from the beginning. A website that is designed to support business growth should be accessible from day one.

• WAVE: Free tool for an initial accessibility audit
• Google Lighthouse: Built into Chrome DevTools and evaluates accessibility alongside performance
• NVDA and VoiceOver: Screen readers for manual testing
• AccessYes Accessibility Widget: Plugin for accessibility enhancements without coding
• Divi Accessibility: Extension for websites built with the Divi theme

Expert Tip: Include accessibility in your annual website audit. Every year, verify that your accessibility statement is up to date, that new content complies with WCAG 2.1 standards, and that new features have been manually tested.

Key Takeaways

Website accessibility is a legal obligation, a business opportunity, and a quality benchmark that simultaneously improves SEO, expands reach, and builds customer trust.

Accessibility as an Investment, Not a Cost

When I talk to business owners about website accessibility, I often hear the same response: “That’s a requirement for public institutions—it doesn’t apply to us.” This belief is both incorrect and costly. Accessibility legislation is gradually expanding to cover all digital service providers, and companies that wait until the last minute will pay far more for retroactive fixes than for accessibility built in from the start.

My experience working on web projects shows that accessibility often falls to the bottom of the priority list because it feels abstract. However, when I demonstrate that a website cannot be used without a mouse, or that a screen reader reads content in the wrong order, perspectives change immediately. Accessibility becomes tangible when you see it in action.

What truly convinces me of accessibility’s value is its multiplier effect. Good semantic structure helps Google understand content. Clear navigation reduces bounce rates. High contrast improves readability in bright sunlight on mobile devices. These benefits are felt by everyone, not only users with disabilities. Accessibility is not a compromise between inclusion and quality—it is proof that a website was thoughtfully built. I also recommend reviewing web user experience trends for 2026, where accessibility plays an increasingly important role in meeting modern user expectations.

— Ziga

How Moxy Web Helps with Web Accessibility

At Moxy Web, accessibility is built into every project from the very beginning—not added later as a patch. Our team ensures that websites comply with WCAG 2.1 (AA), that accessibility statements are prepared and published, and that all critical functionality is manually tested. We understand that an accessible website is not only a legal requirement but also the foundation of a strong digital presence for your business. If you would like to assess the accessibility of your existing website or commission a new one that is compliant from day one and designed for all users, contact us. Together, we can ensure that your website works for everyone.

FAQ

What Does Website Accessibility Mean?

Website accessibility means designing websites so they can be used without barriers by everyone, including people with visual, hearing, mobility, or cognitive impairments. Technically, it is defined by the WCAG 2.1 standard, which sets specific requirements for perceiving, operating, and understanding web content.

Is Web Accessibility Legally Required in Slovenia?

Yes. The Accessibility of Websites and Mobile Applications Act (ZDSMA) requires compliance with WCAG 2.1 Level AA and the publication of an accessibility statement that must be updated at least once a year.

How Can I Check the Accessibility of My Website?

Start with free tools such as WAVE or Google Lighthouse for an automated review, then conduct manual testing using keyboard-only navigation and screen readers such as NVDA or VoiceOver. Automated tools detect only 30–40% of issues, making manual testing essential.

How Does Accessibility Affect SEO?

Accessible design improves semantic HTML structure, making it easier for Google to understand and index content. Alternative image text, proper heading hierarchy, and descriptive link labels are both accessibility requirements and recognized SEO best practices.

Which Tools Are Recommended for Improving Accessibility?

For an initial audit, we recommend WAVE and Google Lighthouse. For WordPress websites, AccessYes Accessibility Widget and Divi Accessibility are useful plugins that allow you to adjust contrast, text size, and animations without coding.

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