In a world where technology continually evolves, Beacon believes everyone should have equitable access to digital content. Whether it’s websites, reports, or digital documents, accessibility ensures everyone—regardless of ability—can engage fully and effortlessly.
At Beacon, inclusivity isn’t an afterthought—it’s foundational. That’s why we developed our Beacon Accessibility Standards. These standards guide us in creating digital experiences that are not only visually engaging but also welcoming to people of all abilities.
If we have the opportunity to collaborate (and we hope we do!), this guide provides a clear overview of the accessibility practices and features included in our work.
What is accessibility?
People with disabilities don’t need extra help; they just need different help.
Accessibility in design means creating digital products—such as documents, websites, and visual materials—that everyone can understand, navigate, and use, including people with disabilities. These disabilities can include visual impairments, limb differences, colour blindness, dyslexia, or cognitive and developmental conditions.
Many conversations happening at social change organizations revolve around the roles we must play in designing and realizing a more inclusive, equitable, and accessible future. Removing barriers that prevent people with diverse abilities from navigating the internet—a space we all rely on to live, learn, and work—is essential to that mission.
Creating accessible web experiences is especially critical for nonprofits and social change organizations. When your mission is to reduce systemic barriers, your digital presence should reflect those same values. That’s where accessible website design comes in.
According to the World Health Organization, 16% of the global population lives with some form of disability. If your website isn’t built with accessibility in mind, you risk excluding a significant segment of your potential community—supporters, clients, donors, and advocates alike.
The Do-It Center puts it succinctly: “Accessible design is a design process in which the needs of people with disabilities are specifically considered.”
A 2025 study by WebAIM found that 94.8% of homepages tested had at least one Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2 failure. This number has only dropped slightly over six years, and those are just automatically detectable issues. The true number of inaccessible digital experiences is likely much higher.
These findings highlight an uncomfortable truth: accessibility gaps remain widespread. Addressing them isn’t merely good practice—it’s essential for building websites compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Accessible Canada Act (ACA).
Quick definitions
- WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines): International standards set by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) for creating accessible digital content.
- WCAG 2 A/AA: Levels of accessibility compliance; “A” is the minimum, while “AA” represents more comprehensive standards.
- Automatically detectable errors: Issues such as missing alt text, inadequate colour contrast, or incorrect heading structure. Critical issues like poor content structure require human judgment.
Our minimum accessibility features
Here are the key steps we take to ensure that users can access and understand your content, meeting or exceeding WCAG 2.2 AA compliance:
- Strategy: Content is logically organized for clear navigation.
- Images/graphics: All embedded text is accurately described via alt text.
- Alt text: Clear descriptions provided for all images and graphics.
- Copy: Inclusive, plain language editing ensures appropriate readability.
- Hyperlinks: Clearly differentiated and described links, including QR codes accompanied by written URLs.
- Fonts: Fonts tested for legibility with internal minimum size guidelines.
- Colour: Colour pairings adhere to WCAG contrast ratios; colour alone never conveys critical information.
- Hierarchy and styles: Proper heading hierarchy and semantic structure tags ensure clear content order.
- Tables: Clear structure, marked headers, and minimal complexity.
- Interactive form elements: Clear, descriptive labels for input fields and special formatting requirements.
- Reading order: Accurate structure and manual checks for assistive technology (AT) compatibility.
- Testing: Comprehensive manual and automated tests using screen readers, keyboard navigation, visual checks, and automated compliance tools.
Sound extensive? It is—but it’s worth it.
Accessibility best practices for inclusive design
An accessibility-first approach improves everyone’s experience—not just users with disabilities. Closed captions and clear colour contrast help people watching videos in noisy environments just as effectively as they support people who are Deaf or hard of hearing.
Designing sequentially, not spatially, is crucial for screen reader users. Instructions like “return to the beginning” or “select OK to register” provide clarity over ambiguous directions like “go to the top.”
Proper heading hierarchy is essential for all users. Sighted users understand hierarchy visually, but screen reader users depend on logical heading tags (H1, H2, H3). We carefully structure headings and avoid elements that disrupt content flow.
For video content, we recommend hosted platforms like YouTube, where you can easily add verified, proofread subtitles rather than relying solely on autogenerated captions. This approach makes your content more accessible and flexible across devices.
Considering accessibility at the brand development stage ensures that contrast-checked palettes and readable fonts are baked in from the start. An accessible content strategy supports clarity and consistency.
Small details matter, too—like indicating when links open in new tabs to prevent confusion or disorientation for screen reader users. We clearly signal these behaviors through visual or textual cues.
How you can help
Writing content
Improve accessibility by:
- Using plain language and concise sentences.
- Consistent formatting and clear heading levels.
- Active voice and concrete examples.
Aim for a Grade 9–11 readability level. This makes content more accessible without sacrificing depth or quality. Test your content using this readability tool.
Sharing images
Provide meaningful context for images, such as:
- Names and roles of individuals pictured.
- Location details.
- Significance of the image.
This helps us create effective alt text.
Need additional accessibility features?
If your project requires specific features—like American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation, audio descriptions, or multilingual support—let us know. We’re happy to explore custom solutions and provide estimates.
Final word
Accessible design is about much more than compliance—it’s about creating inclusive, equitable digital spaces.
At Beacon, our commitment to accessibility shows we care deeply about creating meaningful, human-centred experiences. Accessibility is not just how we meet guidelines; it’s how we show respect and build trust with every person who interacts with our work.
Let’s design a web that truly works for everyone.
Do you need additional accessibility features?
Sometimes clients have other accessibility requests. We are happy to consider it.
If you would like us to include other accessibility features, let us know. We will determine if they are viable and provide a cost estimate.
If you’re looking for assistance with your own creative process or seeking visual solutions for your projects, we can help!
