Designing for accessibility.
I create accessible websites that feel easy to use. I combine clear language, straightforward layouts and inclusive design to reach more users.
What I deliver
- Clear content that supports quick reading and action.
- Layouts that are simple, consistent and easy to scan.
- Strong colour contrast for people with low vision.
- Readable type that works across devices.
- Structured headings to guide assistive tech.
- Alt text for images where it adds meaning.
- Keyboard friendly navigation.
- Code that follows recognised accessibility standards.
My process
- I review your current site or brief to find barriers.
- I create clear content and design that support user needs.
- I test with tools, a keyboard and screen readers.
- I refine the work until it is simple and usable.
Who this service is for
This service is for teams and solo owners who want a site that welcomes more users. It suits organisations that need to meet accessibility standards and those who want to improve user experience for everyone. I am available for full web design, Accessibility Audits or Accessibility Statements.
Web design pricing
Choose a fixed-scope accessibility package and enquire to get started.
Accessibility Audits
I review a website or digital product against WCAG standards and real user needs.
Clients get:
- a clear list of issues, ranked by risk and effort
- plain English explanations of what is wrong and why it matters
- practical fixes designers and developers can act on
Accessibility Statements
I write and publish a compliant accessibility statement that meets legal and user needs.
Clients get:
- a statement that reflects the real accessibility of their site
- clear wording that builds trust with users
- guidance on keeping the statement up to date
Why accessibility is worth investing in.
Accessibility is about making sure people can use your website, whatever their situation. That includes people with disabilities, older users, people on slow connections, and people using assistive technology.
When a site is hard to use, people leave. When it works well for more people, more people stay, understand what you offer, and take action.
Designing for accessibility is not a nice to have. It is a practical way to improve performance, reduce risk, and make better use of your budget.
The business benefits.
Accessible design supports your goals, not just your users.
- reach more people without increasing marketing spend
- improve usability for everyone, not only disabled users
- reduce friction in key journeys like enquiries, donations, and sign ups
- see better search performance because accessible sites are clearer and better structured
- build trust by showing you care about inclusion.
Reducing legal and reputational risk.
UK equality law requires reasonable adjustments for disabled people. Your website is part of that.
You do not need to aim for perfection, but ignoring accessibility can create avoidable risk. Complaints, lost funding, or reputational damage often cost more than getting the basics right early on.
Designing with accessibility in mind helps you move in the right direction with confidence.
A smarter way to invest in design.
Accessibility works best when it is built in from the start, not added on later. It helps you make clearer decisions about content, layout, and functionality.
I treat accessibility as part of good design, not a separate tick box. That means practical improvements that support real users and real business needs.
If you want a website that works harder for more people, accessibility is one of the most effective places to invest.
Why accessible design matters
Accessible design helps people with different needs complete tasks without barriers. It also improves clarity, speed and trust for every visitor. It supports search engines and meets legal duties for many organisations.
Have questions?
I've gathered common questions and their answers to make your experience smoother. If you can't find what you're looking for, feel free to reach out to me.
What does “designing for accessibility” mean?
It means I design your website or digital product so more people can use it, including disabled people.
In practice, that means I focus on things like:
- clear layouts and headings
- readable text and good colour contrast
- keyboard-friendly journeys (not mouse-only)
- forms and errors that are easy to understand
- predictable components and interactions
Accessibility helps everyone, not just people who use assistive technology.
What standards do you design to?
I design towards WCAG 2.2, usually aiming for Level AA. WCAG is the main set of guidelines used across the web, and Level AA is the most common target for organisations.
If you have a specific requirement (for example EN 301 549 for procurement), I can align the work to that as well.
Is accessibility only for public sector websites?
No. Public sector sites in the UK have specific legal duties under the Public Sector Bodies accessibility regulations, including meeting accessibility requirements and publishing an accessibility statement.
But private, charity and membership organisations benefit too. Accessibility reduces user drop-off, improves quality, and lowers the risk of complaints and reputational damage.
What’s included in your accessibility design service?
It depends on what you need, but a typical package includes:
- a review of key user journeys and templates
- design fixes for common barriers (contrast, focus states, form errors, link and button clarity)
- updates to components and patterns (with notes for developers)
- content and layout improvements for readability and structure
- handover guidance so fixes make it into build
I can work from existing pages, a design system, or early concepts.
Will this guarantee we meet WCAG?
I can’t promise “guaranteed compliance” from design work alone, because accessibility also depends on build quality, content updates, and ongoing changes.
What I can do is:
- design to WCAG 2.2 guidance
- reduce the most common design-led failures early
- support your team with clear implementation notes
Catching issues early is one of the cheapest ways to improve accessibility.
What do you need from me to get started?
Usually:
- a link to your site or product (or staging if possible)
- your main user journeys (for example browse, buy, sign up, contact)
- any brand rules and design system docs
- analytics or support tickets if you have them
- any legal or procurement targets (for example WCAG 2.2 AA, EN 301 549)
If you have user research that includes users of your site with accessibility requirements, that helps too.
How do you test designs for accessibility?
I check designs against common accessibility needs, then I pressure-test key journeys.
For example, I review:
- colour contrast and non-text contrast
- text sizing and spacing behaviour
- keyboard focus visibility and order
- motion and animation (including reduced motion)
- clear labels, instructions, and error recovery
WCAG includes techniques for areas like focus indicators and reduced motion, which I use to guide decisions.
Can you help with our accessibility statement or documentation?
Yes, I can help you write or improve your accessibility statement, and make sure it matches what’s true about the site.
Public sector bodies in the UK are required to publish and maintain an accessibility statement.
If you need procurement documentation, I can also support you with inputs for an Accessibility Conformance Report using the VPAT template (often used to report against standards like EN 301 549).
What are the most common accessibility design issues you fix?
Some of the biggest wins tend to be:
- low colour contrast and relying on colour alone
- unclear links and buttons (especially “click here” style links)
- missing focus states and hard-to-see focus
- placeholder text used instead of labels
- error messages that don’t say what to do next
- layouts that break when text is zoomed
These are common because they often start as design choices, not code bugs.
Do you work with our developers?
Yes. Accessibility improves fastest when design and development work together.
I can:
- provide annotated designs and acceptance notes
- help your team choose accessible patterns
- join dev handovers and reviews to spot issues early
How long does it take?
Most projects fit into one of these shapes:
- Quick review of key pages: a few days
- Design fixes across templates and components: 2 to 4 weeks
- Bigger product and design system work: ongoing, in phases
If you want, I can scope it around your highest-traffic journeys first, then roll improvements out.
Andrew Backhouse Design
Postal address
Mowbray HouseMowbray Square
Harrogate
HG1 5FN
Office hours
Monday to Friday
09:00 to 17:30 (UK time)
Excluding national holidays