When you’re running a charity, your mission is everything. You’re working hard to make a difference, and your website should be the digital megaphone that helps you do just that. But what happens if a huge chunk of your audience can't actually hear you?
In the UK, about 1 in 5 people live with some form of disability or long-term illness. If your site isn't accessible, you’re potentially closing your doors to 20% of your supporters, donors, and the very people you’re trying to help. Not only is inclusivity the right thing to do, but it’s also a key part of effective website design for charities.
The good news is that making your site accessible doesn't have to be a headache. It’s about making smart, intentional choices that benefit everyone. At Dorset Tech, we’ve spent years building lightning-fast websites that don't just look great: they work for everyone.
So, where do you start? Let’s dive into the 10 things you need to know about accessibility.
You might hear people talk about "WCAG." It stands for the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines. Think of it as the gold standard for digital inclusion.
The current target for most organisations is WCAG 2.2 Level AA. This level covers the most common barriers for users with visual, hearing, motor, or cognitive impairments. Following these guidelines ensures your site is Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, and Robust.
Imagine reading a book with no chapters, titles, or page numbers. It would be a nightmare, right? That’s what a website feels like to someone using a screen reader if your headings aren't structured properly.
You should always use a logical hierarchy. Your main title is an H1, your main sections are H2s, and sub-sections are H3s. This doesn't just help accessibility; it’s a massive boost for your SEO too! It tells Google exactly what your content is about.
When you add an image to your site, you usually see a box for "Alt Text." Don't leave it blank! Screen readers read this text aloud to describe the image to users who can't see it.
Instead of saying "image123.jpg," try something like "A volunteer handing a food parcel to a local resident." This helps paint a picture of your charity's impact. If the image is purely decorative (like a background swirl), you can mark it as such, so the screen reader knows to skip it.
We all love a stylish design, but if your text is light grey on a white background, it’s going to be invisible to many users. Website design for charities needs to be high-contrast to ensure readability.
The standard ratio is 4.5:1 for normal text. This helps people with low vision or colour blindness navigate your site without straining. To show your supporters that you care about their experience, always check your brand colours against accessibility checkers before committing to a palette.
Not everyone uses a mouse. Some people rely on keyboards, joypads, or even eye-tracking software to browse the web. Your site needs to be fully navigable using only the 'Tab' and 'Enter' keys.
This means that every link, button, and form field should be reachable in a logical order. You’ve probably noticed a little box appearing around links when you tab through a site: that’s a "focus state," and it's essential for letting users know where they are on the page.
Accessibility isn't just about technical code; it’s about your content too. Cognitive accessibility is all about making sure your message is easy to understand for everyone, including those with learning disabilities or those who speak English as a second language.
Keep your paragraphs short (one to three sentences is perfect!). Use common words, avoid heavy jargon, and get straight to the point. This keeps your momentum going and ensures your mission isn't lost in a sea of complicated words.
The lifeblood of most charities is the donation form. If this part of your site is difficult to use, you’re literally losing money.
Ensure every form field has a clear label that stays visible (don't rely on placeholder text that disappears when you start typing). If a user makes a mistake, provide helpful error messages that tell them exactly what went wrong and how to fix it. This helps you have peace of mind that your donors can support you without any friction.
Video is a powerful way to tell your charity’s story, but it’s not accessible to everyone on its own. Always include captions for people who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Providing a written transcript is also a fantastic way to make your content "Robust." It allows people to consume your content in the way that suits them best, and: bonus!: it gives search engines more text to index, helping you climb those rankings.
In the UK, the Equality Act 2010 requires all service providers (including charities) to make "reasonable adjustments" to ensure they aren't discriminating against people with disabilities.
While public sector bodies have even stricter rules, most charities should aim for WCAG 2.2 AA to stay on the right side of the law and, more importantly, to be truly inclusive. Being proactive about accessibility protects your reputation and shows your commitment to social justice.
Accessibility isn't a "one-and-done" fix. It’s a commitment to long-term growth. As you add new blog posts, events, and donation campaigns, you need to ensure they meet your standards.
Leverage free tools like WAVE or Google Lighthouse to run quick audits. But remember, automated tools only catch about 40% of issues. The best way to know if your site works is to test it with real people. Asking for feedback from your community shows that you’re listening and that you value their input.
At Dorset Tech, we’re not just another agency. We’re a social enterprise at heart. We understand that charities often operate on tight budgets, which is why we offer some of the lowest web agency rates in the country.
We don't charge monthly fees, and our team has an average of 19 years of experience. We believe that every organisation, no matter how small, deserves a high-quality, accessible digital presence. Plus, we’re carbon-neutral (actually, carbon-negative!), so your website won't just be good for people: it’ll be good for the planet too.
To show our appreciation for our clients and the community, we plant a tree for every review we receive. It’s our way of growing together while building a better digital world.
Navigating the world of website design for charities can feel a bit overwhelming at first, but you don't have to do it alone. Whether you need a brand-new accessible site or just want to audit your current one, we're here to help.
Contact us today for a friendly chat or use our instant pricing calculator to see how affordable your next project could be. Let's make sure your charity's voice is heard by everyone!
