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AI-assisted accessibility: building inclusive web experiences
Accessibility is a core part of creating websites and applications that serve everyone. Every user should be able to access online content and services, regardless of disability or impairment. While standards such as WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) provide clear requirements, artificial intelligence is now making it easier for developers to deliver inclusive experiences as part of their everyday workflows.
AI-assisted accessibility tools are changing how accessibility is built into projects, helping developers spot issues earlier, reduce costs, and improve user experiences for all.
Why accessibility matters
Around 16 million people in the UK live with some form of disability. For them, inaccessible websites can mean being excluded from essential services, communication, and commerce. The Equality Act 2010 and UK accessibility regulations place a legal duty on organisations to ensure their digital platforms are inclusive.
Accessibility also improves the experience for everyone. Clear navigation, well-structured layouts and content, and optimised performance benefit mobile users, people on slower connections, and those with temporary impairments such as eye strain or injury.
The challenges of traditional accessibility
Historically, accessibility checks have been carried out through manual audits and specialist expertise. This approach is often:
Time-consuming, stretching out project timelines
Reactive, with problems spotted only at the end of development
Dependent on experts, which smaller teams may not have in-house
This means accessibility has sometimes been treated as an afterthought rather than a key part of the project.
How AI-assisted accessibility helps
Artificial intelligence is helping to integrate accessibility throughout the development process. AI-powered coding assistants, design checkers, and content optimisers can highlight accessibility issues and suggest improvements as code and content are created.
For example:
Automated code reviews flag missing alt text, poor colour contrast, or ARIA attribute errors
AI-driven design tools check layouts for contrast and readability
Natural language tools suggest simpler content for clarity and cognitive accessibility
Generative AI creates draft alt text or captions where content creators may miss them
By supporting developers in real time, AI helps accessibility become a proactive part of every build.
The benefits of AI-assisted accessibility
Organisations that embrace AI-assisted accessibility can expect:
Faster compliance, with automated tools reducing audit time
Lower costs, by fixing problems earlier rather than post-launch
A wider audience, since inclusive websites naturally attract more users
Stronger brand trust, by showing a genuine commitment to accessibility
Improved usability, as accessibility features often enhance the experience for all users
The importance of human oversight
AI is not a replacement for accessibility specialists. While AI can highlight common problems, it lacks the context to understand meaning or nuance. For example, an AI may generate a caption for an image, but only a person can confirm that it accurately represents the content and intent.
The most effective approach is a hybrid one. AI tools accelerate testing and development, while human reviewers ensure the results are accurate, ethical, and aligned with user needs.
Building accessibility into every project
For organisations planning new websites or applications, accessibility should be considered from the earliest design stages. AI-assisted tools make it easier to include inclusive practices in the development process, but the responsibility to create fair and open digital experiences sits with businesses and development teams.
At Codeminers, we believe accessibility is a standard part of quality development. By combining best-practice development with modern AI tools, we deliver digital solutions that are efficient, scalable, and inclusive.
Conclusion
AI-assisted accessibility is reshaping how teams approach inclusive design. By embedding accessibility into the workflow, AI helps organisations meet compliance requirements, reach a wider audience, and create better user experiences. With the right mix of tools and human oversight, accessibility can be achieved more effectively, benefitting everyone who interacts with a digital platform.
