Quick Wins in Under an Hour

Accessibility can feel daunting when you look at the full WCAG guidelines or a long backlog of tasks. Not every improvement requires a major redesign or months of effort. Small, targeted changes can be made quickly and deliver immediate benefits to users.

Table of Contents

Introduction

This guide highlights five practical accessibility improvements that can be completed in under an hour. Each one addresses a common barrier and creates a more inclusive experience for everyone.

1. Add Meaningful Alt Text (10 minutes)

  • What to do: Review the most visible images on your site or app and add concise, descriptive alt text. Focus on what the image communicates, not just what it depicts.
  • Why it matters: Screen reader users rely on alt text to understand non-text content. A phrase like “Customer using our mobile app at checkout” is more helpful than “image123.png.”
  • Tip: Avoid starting with “image of” or “picture of.” Screen readers already identify images.

2. Fix Color Contrast Issues (15 minutes)

  • What to do: Run a quick audit with a color contrast checker such as WebAIM Contrast Checker or the Stark plugin for Figma. Adjust text and background pairs that fall below the recommended ratios.
  • Why it matters: Low-contrast text is one of the most common accessibility issues. It affects people with low vision and also anyone using a screen in bright conditions.
  • Tip: Aim for at least 4.5:1 contrast ratio for normal text and 3:1 for large text. Small adjustments to color values often resolve issues.

3. Label Form Fields Properly (10 minutes)

  • What to do: Make sure every form field has a visible label that persists, even when the user begins typing. Avoid relying solely on placeholder text.
  • Why it matters: Labels give essential context for screen reader users and help reduce errors for everyone. Placeholders disappear as soon as users type, which can cause confusion.
  • Tip: Connect labels to form inputs using the for attribute so assistive technologies can correctly associate them.
  • What to do: Replace vague link text such as “Click here” or “Read more” with clear, descriptive wording. For example, use “View pricing plans” instead of “Learn more.”
  • Why it matters: Screen reader users often navigate by scanning links. Non-descriptive text provides no context, making it harder to understand where a link leads.
  • Tip: If repeated links are unavoidable, add visually hidden text for clarity, e.g., “Read more about pricing.”

5. Check Keyboard Navigation (15 minutes)

  • What to do: Test your site or app using only the keyboard. Rely on the Tab, Shift+Tab, Enter, and arrow keys to navigate through interactive elements.
  • Why it matters: Many people use keyboards or assistive devices that emulate keyboard input. If the interface isn't keyboard-accessible, those users may be completely blocked.
  • Tip: Ensure focus indicators (the outlines that show which element is selected) are clearly visible. Avoid removing them in CSS.

Bonus Quick Win - Try a Screen Reader (Optional, 5-10 minutes)

Spend a few minutes navigating a page with a screen reader such as NVDA (Windows) or VoiceOver (Mac/iOS). This exercise provides valuable insight into how content is announced and where users might encounter barriers.

Conclusion

Improving accessibility doesn't always require sweeping changes. By dedicating an hour to the areas above, you can:

  • Make visual content understandable to screen reader users.
  • Improve readability through better contrast.
  • Simplify form completion with proper labels.
  • Provide clarity with meaningful links.
  • Ensure navigation works for people who don't use a mouse.

Each of these adjustments strengthens inclusivity while also reducing friction for all users. Small steps, taken consistently, create lasting improvements.

Essential Resources

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