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Improving Web Accessibility
Building a Culture of Online Inclusivity from Remediation to Localization and Beyond

For mission-driven organizations, digital accessibility isn’t just about compliance—it’s about building inclusive online experiences that serve all visitors. In a recent webinar produced for CSAE's community, Rob Bean of BizStream and Kelly Jan of Recite Me provided a practical roadmap for organizations looking to improve their web accessibility practices and create sustainable accessibility governance.
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 Watch the webinar here >>

Accessibility Is About Who You Serve

While legal compliance is important, accessibility is ultimately about the people you serve. 27% of Americans live with a disability that affects their ability to access online information. Meanwhile, 68 million people in the U.S. speak a language other than English at home. Without an accessible and inclusive website, organizations risk excluding a significant portion of their audience.

Bean emphasized a simple but important principle: “Accessibility is about what’s required. Inclusivity is about who you serve.”

Why Web Accessibility Must Be a Priority

Organizations often start their accessibility journey to meet a legal mandate—but the benefits go much deeper. Building an accessible website:

  • Supports your mission by serving all users equitably
  • Improves user experience for everyone
  • Reduces legal risk
  • Strengthens your reputation and community impact

Accessibility is a smart business practice, a legal requirement, and—most importantly—the right thing to do.

Understanding Accessibility Standards: WCAG Levels

The foundation of digital accessibility is the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).

WCAG criteria are grouped into three levels:

  • A: Basic requirements (must do)
  • AA: Industry standard for meaningful access (should do at minimum)
  • AAA: Advanced standards for enhanced accessibility

Most regulations today—including ADA updates and state laws like Colorado’s HB 21-1110—target compliance with WCAG 2.1 AA standards. However, WCAG 2.2, released in late 2023, adds additional success criteria that organizations should also be aware of moving forward.

Common Accessibility Issues

According to the 2024 WebAIM Million Report, the most common accessibility errors include:

  • Low contrast text (81% of sites)
  • Missing alternative text for images (54.5%)
  • Missing form input labels (48.6%)
  • Empty links (44.6%)
  • Empty buttons (28.2%)
  • Missing document language indicators (17.1%)

Other hidden barriers, like unstructured headings, inaccessible forms, and lack of keyboard navigation, often require specialized development expertise to address properly.

Where to Start: Know Where You Stand

Organizations should begin with a full accessibility audit to benchmark current performance:

  1. Publish an Accessibility Statement to show your commitment
  2. Install an Accessibility Toolbar to provide visitors with adaptive controls
  3. Conduct regular scans using an Accessibility Checker to identify and prioritize issues
  4. Develop a Governance Plan and Consult an Expert for Continuous Remediation

An important note: Accessibility overlays or toolbars enhance user experience but do not replace the need for source code remediation to meet WCAG standards.

Best Practices for New Website Projects

If you're planning a website redesign or migration, build accessibility into the foundation:

  • Start with your users—understand their needs and abilities
  • Plan for localization and multiple languages if needed
  • Use flexible, accessible frameworks from the beginning
  • Partner with experienced developers who understand accessibility best practices

BizStream’s Web Accelerator for Storyblok, for example, provides a headless CMS framework that generates WCAG 2.2 AA-compliant code automatically—giving organizations a strong foundation for both accessibility and long-term digital flexibility.

Building Sustainable Accessibility Programs

Accessibility isn’t a “one-and-done” project. It requires ongoing governance:

  • Regularly scan and assess your site
  • Prioritize and remediate critical issues first
  • Track and report improvements over time
  • Stay up to date with evolving accessibility standards and regulations

Organizations that commit to ongoing accessibility improvements will not only meet legal requirements but also foster trust and loyalty among their members, visitors, and communities.

Learn more about Accessibility topics

Talk with an expert
Rob Bean
Senior Strategist at BizStream
email: [email protected]
web: https://www.bizstream.com/

Bean, specializes in helping associations build better website experiences through a thoughtful application of strategy, creativity, and technology. Bean has generated great results for organizations such as CSU College of Business, Investments & Wealth Institute, the National Society of Black Engineers, The American Society for Non-Destructive Testing, and Western Research Institute.

Kelly Jan
Senior Business Development Executive at Recite Me
email: [email protected]
web: https://reciteme.com/

Jan, specializing in fostering inclusivity across digital platforms. With a keen understanding of the importance of accessibility, Kelly assists organizations nationwide in creating digital environments that embrace diversity. Kelly is dedicated to guiding businesses towards implementing solutions that cater to individuals of all abilities. Her commitment to inclusivity extends beyond her professional endeavors, as she actively engages in advocacy efforts and stays abreast of the latest advancements in accessibility technology. Through her work, Kelly Jan is a driving force in paving the way towards a more inclusive digital landscape