What is a digital accessibility?
Digital accessibility is about ensuring people can use digital products and services, regardless of ability. It means designing and delivering websites, mobile apps and digital content so people can access information, complete tasks and participate independently.
Removing accessibility barriers helps digital tools and technologies work for more people and creates better, more inclusive user experiences.
Examples of digital accessibility barriers
- Low-contrast text and images can be difficult to read or distinguish, particularly for people with low vision and when using a device in bright environments.
- Images without alternative text provide no context for people using screen readers and can also create problems when images fail to load.
- Images and videos that move or play automatically without a clear pause or stop control can cause fatigue and may present risks for people who experience photosensitive seizures.
Digital accessibility services
GSA helps organisations identify digital accessibility barriers, understand their impact and make practical improvements across websites, applications and digital content.
Our services bring together technical accessibility expertise and lived experience of disability to help organisations create more inclusive digital experiences. This can include digital accessibility audits, implementation guidance, inclusive digital content guidance and training.
Digital accessibility audits
A digital accessibility audit identifies barriers across your organisation’s websites, mobile apps and other digital platforms.
Our audits are conducted against the World Wide Web Consortium’s Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.2). These international standards provide recommendations for making digital content more accessible for people with disability, including people using screen readers, keyboard navigation or captions.
Key benefits
- Receive clear, actionable recommendations to improve digital accessibility across websites, platforms and mobile apps.
- Improve usability for all users, including the 5 million Australians with disability. Research from the Centre for Inclusive Design found that products and services designed inclusively can reach up to four times their intended audience.
- Support your organisation to manage risk by identifying gaps against WCAG and understanding relevant responsibilities under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992.
- Build brand reputation and user trust.
Our audit approach
We combine technical expertise with real-world accessibility insight. Our team understands the technical standards and testing tools, as well as the barriers people with disability encounter when engaging with inaccessible content.
Depending on the audit selected, our specialists may:
- Conduct a WCAG conformance evaluation using industry-recognised tools
- Perform automated and manual accessibility testing
- Test keyboard navigation, screen-reader compatibility and other assistive technology interactions
- Review code, visual presentation, user journeys and key page types
- Include user experience testing by people with disability
- Provide a digital accessibility audit report outlining accessibility gaps, priorities and clear next steps
- Walk your team through the findings and support retesting after changes have been implemented
The audit report gives your organisation a clear view of the barriers identified, their impact on users and the work required to improve accessibility.
Digital accessibility audit packages
Choose the level of review that best reflects your digital platform, project stage and accessibility objectives. Final scope and pricing will be confirmed following an initial discussion with GSA.
Quick Accessibility Audit
A fast, high-level review of common accessibility issues and improvement opportunities.
Included:
- Automated accessibility testing on a sample of up to eight pages
- Summary report with prioritised recommendations
Best for: Organisations seeking an initial overview before planning further accessibility work.
WCAG Audit
A targeted audit that combines automated and manual testing across representative parts of your website or digital platform.
Included:
- Review of up to 10 representative pages or screens
- Automated accessibility testing
- Keyboard accessibility checks
- Screen-reader testing
- Visual accessibility review
- Summary report with prioritised recommendations
Best for: Initial assessments, smaller websites, project planning and organisations that want to understand their current accessibility position.
Full Accessibility Audit
A comprehensive assessment against WCAG 2.2 Level AA requirements using internationally recognised accessibility standards and testing methodologies.
Included:
- Assessment against all applicable WCAG 2.2 Level A and Level AA success criteria
- Review of representative pages, key page types and user journeys
- Testing across multiple browsers and devices
- Screen-reader and assistive technology testing
- Manual code and accessibility checks
- Detailed findings with prioritised guidance
- Audit report walkthrough session
- Conformance statement following successful remediation and retesting
Best for: Organisations seeking a detailed understanding of accessibility issues, preparing for compliance activities or working towards WCAG 2.2 Level AA conformance.
Digital accessibility training
Digital Accessibility Facilitated Training Sessions
Our digital accessibility training sessions can be delivered online or in person and tailored to the needs of your organisation, team and industry.
Led by experienced facilitators, the sessions help participants understand common digital accessibility barriers and the role they can play in creating more inclusive digital experiences.
Topics may include:
- Digital accessibility standards and responsibilities
- Common accessibility barriers across websites and digital content
- Practical considerations for accessible content, design and user experiences
Speak with GSA about tailoring a session for your team.
Online Course: Coming Soon!
Build foundational knowledge of digital accessibility through GSA’s self-paced online learning module.
The course introduces disability, accessibility and inclusion before exploring practical considerations, including accessible content, navigation and multimedia.
The module will soon be available through the GSA Learning Hub [coming soon!], allowing participants to complete the learning at their own pace.
Digital accessibility in practice: Melbourne Airport
GSA partnered with Melbourne Airport to review its Online Mobility Hub and associated interactive maps, which help travellers with disability plan and navigate their airport journey.
Led by consultants with lived experience of disability, the review examined practical usability, accessibility filters, map iconography, alternative text and the language used to describe accessible facilities.
GSA provided prioritised recommendations to make important accessibility information easier to find and strengthen the connection between online journey planning and the physical airport experience.
Speak with our Digital Accessibility Lead
Not sure which digital accessibility service is right for your organisation or project? Speak directly with Sofie to discuss your platform, current challenges and the right next step.
Sofie
Digital Accessibility Lead
Sofie specialises in digital accessibility from a user experience perspective. With a background in events and festivals, her recent research examined the accessibility and usability of digital platforms in these sectors. Her culturally and linguistically diverse background informs her inclusive approach to digital accessibility.
She holds the Certified Professional in Accessibility Core Competencies (CPACC) credential from the International Association of Accessibility Professionals (IAAP).
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a digital accessibility audit and a WCAG audit?
The terms are closely related. A digital accessibility audit assesses a website, application or digital platform for accessibility barriers, usually using WCAG as the benchmark. A WCAG audit refers specifically to an assessment against the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines. GSA may use both terms when describing an audit conducted against WCAG.
Do we need an audit if we have never received an accessibility complaint?
Many accessibility issues go unnoticed until someone encounters a barrier. An audit helps your organisation identify issues proactively and address them before they affect more users or become more difficult to resolve.
Do you only audit websites?
No. GSA can audit websites, mobile apps, intranets, online forms and other digital platforms. We will confirm the most appropriate audit scope based on how people interact with your digital product or service.
Who is the audit report written for?
Our reports support both technical and non-technical audiences. Technical findings are explained for developers, while prioritised recommendations and user-impact information help business, marketing, product and leadership teams understand what needs to change and why.
Can GSA help us address the issues identified?
GSA can work with your internal teams or developers to explain the audit findings, help prioritise improvements and retest changes where this is included in the agreed scope. Your organisation is responsible for implementing the changes or engaging the appropriate development support.
How often should we complete a digital accessibility audit?
We recommend considering a comprehensive audit every 1-2 years and after a major platform update or redesign. Smaller accessibility checks can also be included during development to identify issues earlier.