Website Accessibility (WCAG) Compliance for Australian SMBs

In today’s digital-first economy, your website isn’t just a marketing tool—it’s a core business asset. For Australian small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), ensuring your website is accessible to everyone, including people with disabilities, is both a legal obligation and a competitive advantage.

By following WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) 2.2, SMBs can create inclusive websites that improve user experience, reduce legal risks, and reach a wider audience.

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Understanding WCAG 2.2 Guidelines

WCAG 2.2 is the latest global standard for web accessibility, building on WCAG 2.1. The guidelines are structured around four key principles:

• Perceivable: Information and interface components must be presented in ways users can perceive (e.g., alt text for images).

• Operable: Navigation and functionality must be usable by all (e.g., keyboard-friendly menus).

• Understandable: Content should be easy to read and predict (e.g., consistent navigation patterns).

• Robust: Content must be compatible with assistive technologies like screen readers.

For Australian SMBs, aiming for WCAG 2.1 or 2.2 Level AA compliance is considered best practice.

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Tools for Accessibility Audits (WAVE, Axe, Lighthouse)

Before making changes, it’s important to know where your site stands. Popular tools include:

• WAVE – A visual accessibility evaluation tool.

• Axe – A browser extension that highlights WCAG issues.

• Google Lighthouse – Provides accessibility scores as part of performance audits.

At Bottrell Media, we combine automated scans with manual testing to ensure your website meets accessibility requirements.

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Making Images, Forms, and Navigation Accessible

Some of the most common accessibility improvements include:

• Images: Adding descriptive alt text.

• Forms: Labelling fields correctly and providing error messages.

• Navigation: Ensuring menus can be accessed via keyboard and screen readers.

• Colour contrast: Using readable colour combinations for text and buttons.

These small adjustments make a big impact on inclusivity—and also improve SEO performance.

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Legal Obligations Under Australian Law

Under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (DDA), Australian businesses are legally required to provide equal access to goods and services, including websites. High-profile cases—such as the Maguire v Sydney Organising Committee for the Olympic Games (2000)—have set the precedent that inaccessible websites can breach the DDA.

For SMBs, this means accessibility is not just a “nice-to-have”—it’s a compliance requirement.

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Accessibility Plugins vs Custom Development

Many website platforms, such as WordPress and Shopify, offer accessibility plugins. While these can provide a quick fix, they often:

• Fail to address deeper accessibility issues

• May not meet WCAG compliance fully

• Rely on automated scripts rather than true usability

Custom development ensures accessibility is built into your site’s design and code, offering better long-term compliance and performance.

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Why Accessibility Matters for SMBs

Making your website accessible benefits everyone:

• Reach more customers – Over 4.4 million Australians live with a disability.

• Improve SEO – Accessibility improvements often align with Google’s ranking factors.

• Reduce legal risks – Compliance helps avoid potential lawsuits.

• Enhance brand reputation – Inclusive businesses are more trusted.

At Bottrell Media, we help SMBs create WCAG-compliant websites that are inclusive, future-proof, and aligned with Australian law.

👉 Book a free accessibility consultation with our team today and take the first step toward a more inclusive digital presence.