Busting Website Accessibility Myths:  Part 1

“5 Myths About Accessibility” with a blind man using a guide dog and a wheelchair user using a laptop.

Let’s be real: Most people think website accessibility is a boring “check-the-box” legal chore.

They’re wrong.

In fact, the myths floating around the digital space are actually preventing some of the world’s best mission-driven brands from reaching the people who need them most.

We’re here to bust the ghost stories and get back to what matters—equal access for everyone.


Myth #1: “Our target audience doesn’t have disabilities.”

This is the big one. And it’s a total fabrication.

Roughly 25% of adults in the U.S. live with some form of disability and have a frustrating experience using the web.  Think: ADHD, dyslexia, autism, epilepsy, colorblindness, low vision, deafness and more. 

If you think a quarter of your potential supporters don’t exist, you’re not just missing out on impact; you’re leaving your community behind.

Accessibility isn’t for a “niche” group—it’s for humans.

Myth #2: “Ok, maybe some people with disabilities use our products, but blind people (or people in a wheelchair or deaf people, etc) don’t need our products or services.

People with disabilities have husbands, wives, parents, kids, friends, etc., etc.

Just like people without disabilities, they buy gifts online. They research online.  They play games online. People with disabilities use the web for the same reasons that people without disabilities use the web.

Myth #3: “Accessible sites are ugly and boring.”

This myth hurts our design-loving souls.

Vita Coco website homepage with a blue background. Left side shows “The Better Fitness Fuel” in bold white text on a blue paint streak. Right side features a splashing carton of Vita Coco Coconut Water with coconuts and palm trees on the packaging.
Screenshot of Vita Coco’s vibrant and accessible website header.

Accessibility isn’t about stripping away the “cool” stuff; it’s about better UX for everyone.

High contrast, clear typography, and logical navigation actually make your site look cleaner and more professional.

You don’t have to sacrifice your aesthetic to be ethical.

Myth #4: “Getting a website accessible is super confusing and there are no clear guidelines.”

There are very specific guidelines, called the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, that define how to make a website accessible.

They are technical and nuanced and do require an accessibility trained auditor and developer to implement. 


The Bottom Line

Accessibility is the ultimate expression of your values.

It’s about making sure your mission is heard by everyone, regardless of how they navigate the screen.

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Picture of Denise Páne <br><span>CEO & Founder</span>

Denise Páne
CEO & Founder

Denise is an Accredited Accessibility Expert with a lifetime of experience with people with disabilities starting with her Special Olympian brother. She has over two decades of experience at the helm of her accessible web design agency, Access Design Studio. She is a passionate outdoors woman and bold adventurer in life and business.

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