Ethical Web Design for Therapists: Making Your Website Accessible & Inclusive

Are you familiar with the European Accessibility Act, or curious about how websites can be optimised for easy access by everyone? If so, continue reading, and if you have any questions, don't hesitate to send me a message.

Making your therapy website accessible isn’t just about ticking legal boxes, it’s about making sure everyone, regardless of ability, can access your services with ease and dignity.

Here are some key things to keep in mind, based on both good practice and the European Accessibility Act:

Use Good Colour Contrast

Some people struggle to read text if there isn’t enough contrast between the text and background. Make sure your colours don’t blend together. Dark text on a light background usually works best. There are free tools online that can help you check this (like the WebAIM contrast checker).

Add Alt Text to Images

Every meaningful image on your therapy website should have a short, simple, and meaningful description, also known as alternative text or alt text, so screen readers can describe it to users with visual impairments. For example, “Calm therapy room with two armchairs and soft lighting” is much more helpful than just “photo”.

Use Clear Headings

Headings help all visitors (especially those using screen readers) understand the structure of your page. Use proper heading levels (<h1>, <h2>, <h3>, etc.) rather than just bolding text. Think of it like giving your content a helpful table of contents behind the scenes, just as you would do when writing an essay.

Use Descriptive Links

Instead of writing “click here”, tell people exactly where the link goes. For example, say “Find out more about my counselling approach” — that’s much clearer, especially for screen readers.

Make Forms Easy to Use

If your site includes a contact or booking form, make sure every field is clearly labelled and easy to understand. If something goes wrong (like a missing required field), the error message should be clear and easy to find.

Add Subtitles or Transcripts

If you use videos or audio recordings on your site, offer captions or transcripts. This helps people who are deaf or hard of hearing, but it’s also great for users who prefer to read or who are browsing without sound.

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If you would like to discuss your therapy website, whether it's an existing or a new one, please get in touch.

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What clients say about Your Therapy Website:

"I would thoroughly recommend Laura's services to design a website. Laura is very knowledgeable and worked with me to find the best option for my budget and my website needs. Laura listens and offers solutions and her expertise in creating the best website for her clients. Would definitely use again if I need anything in the future."