In this article, we’ll provide detail about these key questions:

  • What does website accessibility mean, and why is it essential for nonprofits?
  • How can accessibility improve user experience and support inclusive community engagement?
  • What are the most common accessibility issues found on nonprofit websites?
  • What tools and steps can nonprofits use to make their websites more accessible and compliant?
  • How can nonprofit teams maintain accessibility as part of their ongoing website and content strategy?

Introduction: Why Accessibility Should Be a Priority

Website accessibility means designing and developing your website so that everyone, including people with disabilities, can easily access and use it. This includes individuals who rely on screen readers, navigate using a keyboard, or need visual adjustments to interpret content effectively.

For nonprofits, accessibility is more than a technical checkbox—it’s a natural extension of your mission to serve all people. An accessible website ensures that your services, resources, and messages are inclusive, regardless of a person’s physical or cognitive ability. It allows you to reach underserved audiences, foster community trust, and demonstrate your commitment to equity.

In the U.S., accessibility is also a legal requirement under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Nonprofits that receive public funding or operate as places of public accommodation may be legally obligated to meet accessibility standards. More importantly, prioritizing accessibility reflects a broader commitment to removing barriers and serving everyone with dignity.

What Is Website Accessibility?

Website accessibility refers to the practice of making your digital content usable by as many people as possible, including those with visual, auditory, motor, or cognitive disabilities. It ensures that everyone can access your website’s information, interact with forms, navigate menus, and engage with content—regardless of how they access the web.

The global standard for accessibility is the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). These guidelines are built around four core principles, often abbreviated as POUR:

  • Perceivable – Content must be presented in ways users can recognize, whether through text, audio, or visuals (e.g., providing alt text for images).
  • Operable – Users should be able to navigate and interact with all elements using a keyboard or other assistive technology.
  • Understandable – Information and interface behavior should be clear and predictable.
  • Robust – Content should work across a wide range of browsers, devices, and assistive technologies.

Common features of accessible websites include support for screen readers, keyboard-only navigation, descriptive alt text for images, appropriate color contrast, resizable text, and consistent layout structure. These elements not only improve usability for people with disabilities but often enhance the user experience for everyone.

Why It Matters for Nonprofits

Website accessibility is not just a technical upgrade—it’s a direct reflection of your nonprofit’s values. Making your site accessible ensures that everyone, including people with disabilities or aging populations, can engage with your mission, donate, sign up for events, or access services.

Accessible websites foster a better user experience for all visitors. They’re easier to navigate, faster to load, and more inclusive by design. This builds trust with your audience and demonstrates your commitment to equity and inclusion.

Accessibility also reduces legal risk. In the U.S., nonprofits can be subject to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other digital accessibility regulations. Failing to comply can result in costly lawsuits or grant disqualification.

Many funders and partners now view digital accessibility as part of organizational responsibility. An accessible website can strengthen your case when applying for grants or partnerships by showing that you prioritize inclusive access to your programs and resources.

Common Accessibility Barriers on Nonprofit Websites

Despite good intentions, many nonprofit websites unintentionally create obstacles for people with disabilities. One of the most frequent issues is the absence of descriptive alt text on images. Without it, screen reader users are left without important visual context, limiting their ability to engage with content. Poor color contrast is another major problem, making it difficult for users with low vision or color blindness to read text or distinguish buttons and links.

Many nonprofits also rely on PDFs or online forms that are not accessible. These can be especially frustrating for users with screen readers or those who rely on keyboard navigation, as important form fields or instructions may be skipped or misread. Another common issue is the lack of a clear heading hierarchy or proper semantic HTML structure. This makes it harder for users to navigate content logically, particularly those using assistive technologies.

Videos that lack captions or transcripts exclude users who are deaf or hard of hearing, while audio-only content without alternative formats creates barriers for those who are blind. Unlabeled or vague links and buttons, such as “Click Here,” add further confusion by offering no context about what action will occur or where the user will be taken.

Addressing these barriers is essential not just for compliance with legal standards like the ADA, but for building trust and ensuring that everyone who visits your site — regardless of ability — can engage fully with your mission. An accessible website creates a more inclusive digital experience and strengthens your organization’s credibility and reach.

How to Make Your Nonprofit Website More Accessible

Improving website accessibility doesn’t require a complete redesign—it starts with small, meaningful changes that collectively make a big impact. Here are practical steps your nonprofit can take:

1. Conduct an Accessibility Audit
Begin by assessing your current website using tools like WAVE, axe DevTools, or Google Lighthouse. These tools identify common issues like missing alt text, poor contrast, or improperly structured headings. For a deeper dive, consider a paid audit or work with a web accessibility specialist.

2. Add Alt Text to All Images
Every meaningful image should have alternative (alt) text that describes its content and purpose. This allows users who rely on screen readers to understand visual elements and engage with your message.

3. Use Proper Headings and Logical Page Flow
Headings (H1, H2, H3, etc.) help users navigate the page and understand the structure of your content. Avoid skipping heading levels and ensure your content flows in a logical, intuitive order.

4. Create Accessible Forms with Labels
Each form field should include a descriptive label, even if it’s visually hidden. This helps assistive technologies communicate the correct instructions to users filling out forms, such as donation pages or contact forms.

5. Enable Keyboard Navigation
Ensure your site can be fully navigated using a keyboard alone—especially interactive elements like menus, modals, and form submissions. This is essential for users with motor impairments.

6. Provide Captions or Transcripts for Multimedia
All videos should include captions, and audio content should be paired with transcripts. This ensures users who are deaf, hard of hearing, or prefer to read can access your content fully.

7. Avoid Using Color Alone to Convey Meaning
Color should enhance understanding—not be the only way to communicate information. Use patterns, icons, or labels in addition to color to ensure clarity for colorblind users.

Tools and Resources to Help

Improving website accessibility doesn’t have to be overwhelming—there are many helpful tools and resources available to guide your nonprofit. Whether you’re just getting started or refining an existing site, these tools can make accessibility more manageable:

Free Accessibility Testing Tools

  • WAVE by WebAIM – Provides visual feedback on accessibility issues directly on your web pages.
  • axe DevTools (by Deque) – A browser extension that identifies accessibility violations with detailed explanations and solutions.
  • Google Lighthouse – An open-source tool built into Chrome DevTools that audits performance, SEO, and accessibility.
  • WebAIM Contrast Checker – Quickly tests color combinations to ensure sufficient contrast between text and backgrounds.

WordPress Plugins and Overlays

  • Plugins like WP Accessibility and One Click Accessibility can help address basic accessibility needs on WordPress sites, such as adding skip links or alt text reminders.
  • Accessibility overlays like UserWay or accessiBe offer quick-fix visual tools, but they’re not a substitute for proper accessibility development. Use with caution and never rely on overlays alone to meet compliance standards.

Accessibility Statements
Publishing an accessibility statement on your site demonstrates your organization’s commitment to inclusion. It should be easy to find—commonly linked in the website footer—and include:

  • A summary of your accessibility efforts
  • Contact information for reporting barriers
  • Any known limitations and planned improvements

Accessibility Is an Ongoing Commitment

Improving accessibility isn’t a one-time task—it’s an ongoing part of running an inclusive, mission-aligned website. For nonprofits, this means building habits and systems that support long-term accessibility at every stage of content creation and site development.

Train Your Team
Ensure everyone involved in your website—from communications staff to content creators—understands the basics of accessibility. Provide regular training or share resources so team members know how to write accessible content, use headings properly, add alt text, and avoid design pitfalls that may create barriers.

Integrate Accessibility Into Workflows
Accessibility should be baked into your design, development, and content workflows. This means considering accessibility when launching new campaigns, updating forms, or uploading media. Whether you’re redesigning a page or publishing a blog post, checklists and tools can help keep accessibility top of mind.

Test and Improve Continuously
Web standards evolve, and so do the needs of your audience. Make it a habit to audit your site regularly using tools like WAVE or axe, especially after adding new features. Collect user feedback, especially from those using assistive technologies, and use it to prioritize future updates.

Conclusion

Digital accessibility isn’t just about compliance—it’s about inclusion, equity, and impact. For nonprofits, ensuring your website is accessible means extending your mission to all members of your community, including those with disabilities or using assistive technologies.

By making your website more inclusive, you improve user experience, build trust, reduce legal risks, and open your message to a broader audience. Get a free accessibility audit or consultation to identify where your site stands and how you can improve.