Why Accessibility in Design Matters and How BNP Engage Is Leading the Way
A website isn’t just a brand’s front door. It’s a vital experience for users of all abilities. Yet, for millions of people with visual, auditory, motor, or cognitive impairments, that experience can quickly become a barrier instead of a bridge.
That’s where accessibility in web design comes in and at BNP Engage. It’s not just something we do. It’s something we believe in.
Why Web Accessibility Matters
According to the World Health Organization, over 1 billion people globally live with some form of disability. That’s a significant segment of your audience. And, if your website isn’t accessible, you’re unintentionally excluding them from engaging with your brand.
Beyond the ethical imperative, accessibility also delivers business benefits:
- Wider reach: Accessible sites are usable by more people, including aging populations and those using assistive technologies.
- Improved SEO: Many accessibility best practices, like structured headings and alt text, enhance search engine performance.
- Legal protection: Following Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) helps reduce the risk of lawsuits related to non-compliance.
BNP Engage’s Accessibility-First Approach
At BNP Engage, we bring together strategy, design, and development with accessibility at the core. Our teams integrate it into every phase of the website lifecycle with:
1. Inclusive Design Thinking
We begin by considering all users, from how someone navigates with a keyboard, to how colors and contrast affect readability. Our designers follow WCAG while staying true to each brand’s visual identity.
2. Accessibility Audits & Testing
We conduct audits and user testing to identify and remove accessibility blockers. Whether it’s ensuring screen reader compatibility or improving interactive elements for those with motor impairments, we take a proactive approach.
3. Empowering Clients
Our websites aren’t just accessible when they launch – they stay that way. We build the site with an intuitive content management system (CMS) that lets clients update content without compromising usability or accessibility.
4. Continual Learning & Improvement
The web evolves, and so do accessibility standards. BNP Engage stays ahead by training our team regularly and exploring tools and techniques that raise the bar on digital inclusion.
Real Impact, Real Results
From Food and Beverage to B2B manufacturing, our clients rely on us to deliver websites that not only look great, but also work for every visitor. This has helped brands increase engagement, reduce bounce rates, and improve their reputation as inclusive, forward-thinking organizations.
One standout example of how we turn challenges into opportunities is our work with Manhattan Bagel. When they came to us for a website redesign, improving accessibility was a top priority. Their original brand colors didn’t meet current accessibility standards – specifically failing contrast ratio requirements that impact users with visual impairments.
Using SiteImprove, a robust accessibility auditing tool, our team quickly identified the issues and implemented design updates that brought the site into compliance. The result: a visually cohesive site that’s not only modern and on-brand but also far more inclusive for all users.
Our Team is Put to the Test
Our team is committed to delivering their best work to our clients. One way to do this is through continued education and certification in topics that are vital to great web design like accessibility. Recently, our design team took a rigorous course in the latest trends and tools for this topic. Our Senior Design Lead, Megan Manning has this to say about her experience:
“Proactively educating myself about web accessibility has fundamentally changed how I approach my work. It has revealed barriers I had not previously considered and deepened my understanding of inclusive design. The internet is an essential resource in our society, and it should be equally accessible to all. As UX designers, we must lead with empathy- prioritizing the needs and experiences of every user. Designing with accessibility in mind not only benefits people with disabilities but ultimately creates better experiences for everyone.”
Megan’s insights reflect our broader mission by building digital experiences that are not only beautiful and functional, but truly inclusive. As the digital landscape evolves, so will our commitment to learning, growing, and designing with every user in mind.
Ready to Make Your Website More Accessible?
Whether you’re starting fresh or need to improve an existing site, we’re here to help you create a digital presence that truly connects. Let’s build something better. For everyone.
Reach out to learn more about BNP Engage’s accessibility solutions. https://www.bnpengage.com/website-design-development-agency/
