Website Accessibility Checklist for UAE Service Businesses

A website can look polished and still be difficult to use. A customer may struggle to read low-contrast text in bright daylight, reach a menu without a mouse, understand a form error or identify what an image is showing. These problems can prevent people from finding a service or contacting a business.

Accessibility means designing and building digital experiences that more people can perceive, understand and operate. For UAE businesses, it is also useful to understand the local public-sector context: the UAE Design System accessibility guidance references WCAG 2.1 AA for federal government entities. That public-sector guidance should not be presented as a blanket legal statement that every private company has identical obligations. Private businesses should check applicable laws, procurement terms and customer requirements.

1. Make the website usable with a keyboard

Some visitors cannot use a mouse or prefer keyboard navigation. Test whether someone can move through the page using Tab and Shift+Tab, activate links and buttons with the keyboard, and understand which item currently has focus.

Keep a visible focus indicator. Do not remove the browser outline unless you replace it with an equally clear indicator. Menus, dialogs and form controls should not trap the keyboard user or make the focus jump unpredictably.

2. Use readable text and sufficient contrast

Choose body text that remains comfortable on a phone. Avoid very small type, long paragraphs with no breaks and pale grey text on white backgrounds. Check text and button contrast rather than relying on how colours look on your own monitor.

Do not communicate status through colour alone. For example, a form error should include a clear message and identify the field, not simply turn its border red. The UAE Design System also highlights typography, spacing and colour contrast in its accessibility guidance.

3. Give images meaningful text alternatives

Write alt text according to the purpose of each image. A photo of a completed kitchen renovation might need a short description if it provides evidence or context. A decorative background image can use an empty alt attribute so a screen reader does not announce irrelevant detail. A linked image should describe the action or destination.

Avoid stuffing alt text with phrases such as “best Dubai plumber cheap AC repair UAE”. Google recommends descriptive, contextual alt text and warns against keyword stuffing. See Google's image SEO best practices and the W3C images tutorial.

4. Label every form field clearly

A placeholder is not a replacement for a persistent label. Each input should have a clear name, and required fields should be identified before submission. Use helpful instructions for phone numbers, email addresses and any information the customer needs to provide.

When validation fails, explain what needs to be corrected in text and associate the message with the relevant field. Preserve information the visitor has already entered. After a successful enquiry, show a clear confirmation and explain what happens next.

5. Make buttons and links understandable

Use descriptive link text such as “View AC maintenance services” instead of repeating “Click here” throughout the page. Give buttons labels that explain the action: “Request a quote” is clearer than “Submit” when the purpose is to start an enquiry.

Ensure clickable controls have a comfortable target size and enough space around them, especially on mobile. Do not rely on tiny icons without an accessible name or visible explanation.

6. Check headings and page structure

Use a logical heading order so visitors can scan the page and assistive technology can identify its sections. Each service page should have a clear main heading, followed by relevant subheadings. Use real lists for grouped information and semantic buttons and links for actions.

Do not choose heading levels only because their font size looks attractive. Style headings with CSS while preserving a meaningful document structure.

7. Test zoom, reflow and mobile layouts

Zoom the browser and check that content remains readable without overlapping, clipping or forcing unnecessary horizontal scrolling. Test the navigation, contact buttons, service cards and forms at narrow widths. The UAE Design System suggests checking layouts at increased browser zoom and ensuring clickable elements remain keyboard accessible.

8. Caption useful video and audio

If a service page uses a video to explain a process, provide captions so people who cannot hear the audio can follow it. If the spoken information is important, consider a transcript as well. Do not bake captions permanently into the video when users need control over their display.

9. Do not treat an automated score as certification

Automated checks are useful for finding missing labels, contrast issues and some structural problems. They cannot fully judge whether alt text is meaningful, instructions are understandable or a booking journey works for someone using assistive technology. Combine automated checks with keyboard testing, zoom testing and manual review.

A practical first-pass checklist

• Navigate the homepage and contact form using only a keyboard.
• Confirm every interactive control has a visible focus state.
• Check text and button contrast.
• Use meaningful labels and clear validation messages.
• Write contextual alt text for informative images.
• Use empty alt text for purely decorative images.
• Keep headings and page structure logical.
• Test mobile layouts and increased browser zoom.
• Add captions or transcripts where video content needs them.
• Review the full enquiry journey, not just the homepage.

Frequently asked questions