Design for everyone,
not just most people

Inaccessible design excludes users, creates legal risk, and costs more to fix the longer it's left. We build accessibility in from the ground up, so every user gets the experience they deserve.

Accessibility isn't optional, it's the law

We build inclusive experiences 
that outperform

Businesses that treat accessibility as an afterthought pay for it twice: retrofitting it, and losing the users they could have served. We embed accessibility into every stage, from research to handoff.

Our accessibility in design service capability

We take an inclusive, standards-led approach to accessibility, working closely with you to identify gaps and build experiences that work for every user. Transparent, thorough, and commercially grounded, we only recommend what delivers real value. Our accessibility services include:

Accessibility audit

A thorough WCAG 2.2 assessment with a clear, prioritised remediation plan your team can act on.
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WCAG compliance

We review products to WCAG 2.1 and 2.2 at AA and AAA levels, meeting your legal obligations.
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Accessible UI design

Accessibility built in from day one. Clear, consistent interfaces that work for a wide range of users.

Colour contrast & visual accessibility

We audit and design colour systems that meet contrast requirements for every user and touchpoint.
A blue symbol with four rounded loops forming a symmetrical cross shape, known as the Command or Place of Interest icon commonly seen on Apple keyboards.

Keyboard & focus navigation

We design and test navigation patterns and focus states for users relying on keyboard and assistive tech.

Screen reader optimisation

Semantic structures tested with screen readers, from heading hierarchies to alt text and ARIA labels.

Accessible content design

Clear, plain language that makes your experience more usable for everyone, including users with disabilities.
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Inclusive research & testing

We test with participants who have a range of disabilities, validating against real needs.
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Accessibility training & consultancy

We upskill your teams to think accessibly from the start, through workshops and embedded consultancy.

Ongoing accessibility support

Ongoing review, testing, and guidance as your product evolves and new features are added.

Our partnership with Atomic has been essential in delivering a new level of digital convenience for our guests. The app enriches each stage of their short break, aligning perfectly with our commitment to offering the best possible guest experience.

We succeed together.

How we made mainstream cinema
 accessible to deaf audiences with AR

Fewer than 2% of UK cinema screenings offer captioning. We built WatchWord, an AR glasses and mobile app that delivers real-time, personalised captions at any mainstream showing, removing the need for subtitle-only screenings for up to 12 million people with hearing loss.

Our accessibility approach is built on one thing: Inclusive design is better design for everyone

Embed it early, not late

Retrofitting accessibility is expensive. We build it in from the first design decision, when catching issues costs far less than fixing them later.

Design for the edges, improve for all

Features built for disabilities make experiences better for everyone. Captions, high contrast, clear navigation. Each improves the experience for all.
Blue icon of two simplified human figures, one in front and another slightly behind, representing multiple users or a group.

Test with real users

Automated tools catch around a third of issues. We combine them with manual review and testing with disabled participants to find the rest.

Accessibility legislation is tightening.
 Act now

The European Accessibility Act comes into full force in 2025. Atomic's accessibility team works with ambitious brands to audit existing products, embed inclusive design practices, and build digital experiences that meet modern standards and reach every user.

Got questions about accessibility in design?

Get in touch

Accessibility in design ensures your digital product can be used by everyone, including people with visual, auditory, cognitive, or motor impairments, meeting WCAG standards.

Accessible products reach more users, meet legal requirements, and often perform better for everyone. Inaccessible products exclude customers and carry real regulatory risk.

WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) sets the standards for digital accessibility. Most organisations should target WCAG 2.2 AA as the minimum acceptable level of compliance.

In the UK, the Equality Act 2010 requires accessible digital products. Public sector organisations must comply with PSBAR 2018. Non-compliance carries legal and reputational risk.

We combine automated scanning tools with manual review and screen reader testing, checking against WCAG 2.2 AA criteria and prioritising findings by severity and user impact.

An accessibility audit typically takes one to two weeks. Remediation timelines depend on the number of issues found and your development team's capacity to address them.

Accessibility investment varies by scope. A focused audit starts from a few thousand pounds. Embedding accessibility into your design and development process is scoped separately.

Yes. We regularly embed with existing teams, upskilling designers and developers on accessibility best practices and reviewing work within your existing delivery process.

Access to your live product or design files and clarity on the scope. Any existing accessibility documentation or previous audit findings are useful if you have them.

By embedding accessibility into your design system, training your teams, and establishing review processes that catch issues early. We help build the internal capability to sustain it.

Explore our related services

UX & Research

Research that shapes every design decision

We combine interviews, usability testing, analytics, and surveys to build a deep understanding of your users. Every project starts with the evidence needed to design the right thing.

CX & service design

Experience design across every touchpoint

We map and redesign the full customer experience, from digital interfaces to the behind-the-scenes processes that shape how customers feel about your business.

Website design

Websites that convert visitors into customers

We design websites that look exceptional and perform commercially, combining UX strategy, visual design, and SEO thinking to serve your users and your business goals.

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