Accessibility that puts people first

An accessible website, often shortened to “A11y” (the numeronym for accessibility), isn’t just a nice-to-have. It’s essential for creating an inclusive digital experience for everyone.

At Meta Digital, we design and build websites that are usable, readable and navigable by people of all abilities, helping you reach a wider audience and deliver a better user experience for every visitor.

Our A11y approach blends thoughtful design, solid development practices, and thorough testing to ensure your website meets modern standards and supports real-world users.

Website Accessibility Services with Meta Digital

Creating an accessible website requires more than a checklist. It calls for thoughtful design, technical expertise, and a clear understanding of user needs. Our A11y services support you at every stage of your digital journey, from identifying issues to designing inclusive interfaces and building WCAG-compliant solutions that work for everyone.

Accessible Website Audit

A complete review of your website's current accessibility performance

We assess content, design, structure and code against WCAG 2.1 AA standards to identify barriers for users with disabilities. You'll receive a clear, prioritised report outlining issues, opportunities, and recommended next steps.

Inclusive UX & UI Design

We create designs that work for everyone

We include clear layouts, readable text, intuitive navigation, and accessible interactive elements. Our designers apply best-practice A11y principles from the start, so your website not only looks good, but functions seamlessly for users relying on assistive technologies.

WCAG-Compliant Development

Our developers build with accessibility baked in

With semantic HTML, keyboard-friendly navigation, ARIA best practice, colour contrast compliance, and performance optimisation. Whether you're enhancing an existing site or creating something new, we code to ensure your site meets accessibility standards now and into the future.

Ongoing Support & Monitoring

Accessibility isn't a one-time fix

As your content and site evolve, new barriers can appear. We offer ongoing monitoring, regular audits, and quick remediation so your website stays compliant and inclusive over time.

Website Accessibility Services

Legal Requirements for Accessibility

In New Zealand, accessibility is guided by a combination of standards, expectations, and legal obligations:

The Government Web Accessibility Standard: All public-sector agencies are expected to meet WCAG 2.1 AA. While not legally binding for private businesses, it sets a strong national benchmark and is increasingly expected across all sectors.

The New Zealand Disability Strategy & Accessibility Charter: These frameworks emphasise accessible information and communication as essential to participation and inclusion.

While New Zealand does not currently have a single accessibility law, organisations can still be held accountable under human rights and discrimination law if digital services exclude people with disabilities.

Website Accessibility Services

The Issues with Accessibility (A11y) Plugins

Accessibility plugins, or “overlays”, are technologies marketed as solutions for improving website accessibility.

These plugins rely on third-party source code, typically JavaScript, to make superficial adjustments to the website’s front-end. However, these technologies often provide inadequate A11y, fail to address underlying issues, and can create a frustrating experience for users with disabilities.

The Issues with Accessibility (A11y) Plugins

Benefits of Creating an Accessible Website

Accessibility isn't just a legal requirement. It's good business. By ensuring your website is usable by everyone, you improve the overall quality of your digital presence, strengthen your brand, and reduce barriers for people who want to engage with you. Here are some of the key benefits of investing in A11y:

Reach a wider audience Accessibility ensures users with visual, auditory, cognitive, or physical impairments can engage with your content, opening your business to a significantly larger market.

Better user experience for everyone Many accessibility improvements (clear structure, plain language, keyboard navigation, readable type, fast load times) enhance usability for all users, not only those with disabilities.

Improved SEO performance Search engines favour websites with strong semantic structure, descriptive content, and clean code, all of which are core accessibility practices.

Future-proofed digital presence Accessible websites are more adaptable to new devices, technologies, and regulatory changes, reducing long-term maintenance costs.

Strengthened brand perception Demonstrating a commitment to inclusivity builds trust, credibility, and loyalty, especially in government, education, community, and public-service sectors.

Smoother online experience Accessible websites are easier to navigate, clearer, and more intuitive. When people can independently find information, complete tasks, and interact with your content, your team spends less time resolving queries or assisting users who encounter barriers.

Reduced legal and compliance risk Meeting recognised standards like WCAG 2.1 AA helps protect your organisation from complaints and reputational harm. In New Zealand, digital services that exclude people with disabilities can be challenged under human rights and discrimination law, so building accessibility in early reduces your exposure.

Higher conversions and engagement When every visitor can read your content, complete a form, and finish a purchase without hitting barriers, more of them convert. Removing friction for people with disabilities removes it for everyone, turning more visits into enquiries, sign-ups, and sales.

Ready to make your website accessible to everyone?

Let’s get Started