The Do Better Campaign: Why Digital Accessibility Can’t Wait
In the latest episode of The Digital Access Show, the spotlight was on the Do Better Campaign, a movement calling on businesses to lift their digital game and remove barriers that exclude people.
The panel featured David Oram (Atomic Web Strategy), Belinda Vesey-Brown and Alex Bey (Meet Aandi), and Kim Amor and Nick Hosking (KN Website Design). Together, these experts are united by a simple but powerful message: it’s time to “do better” by making digital spaces accessible for everyone.
What Is the Do Better Campaign?
The campaign’s name came from an everyday family moment. Belinda recalls her son telling her, “Mum, you need to do better,” whenever she slipped up. That phrase stuck and soon became a rallying cry.
Because in reality, many businesses don’t realise their websites, documents, and digital tools are creating unnecessary barriers. The Do Better Campaign was born to change that—by raising awareness, mentoring businesses, and driving practical action.
As Kim explained, “If someone can’t access your website on their phone, they may never reach your service whether it’s a doctor, a plumber, or a hairdresser.” Accessibility is about ensuring no one is left out.
Why Businesses Don’t Know They Have a Problem
Belinda put it simply: “It’s not that they don’t know. It’s that they don’t know that they don’t know.”
Most businesses design digital spaces based on their own experiences assuming that if it works for them, it works for everyone. But the reality is different. Many customers rely on assistive technologies or need design features that make content perceivable, navigable, and clear.
The Do Better Campaign helps businesses see what they’ve been missing and shows them that accessibility benefits all users, not just those with disability.
The Four Principles of Accessible Web Design
Educating the community about digital accessibility is one of the most powerful ways to cl
David outlined four pillars every business should follow when designing a website:
- Perceivable – Content must be visible and easy to interpret.
- Operable – Navigation should work for everyone, whether using a mouse, keyboard, or assistive tech.
- Understandable – Information, forms, and interactions must be clear.
- Robust – Sites need to function seamlessly with different technologies, including screen readers.
Accessibility isn’t something assistive technology can “fix” after the fact. If a site isn’t built for access, tools like screen readers can’t interpret it properly.
Accessibility and SEO:
A Win-Win
Nick highlighted a key business benefit: accessibility strengthens SEO. Search engines prioritise websites with strong structure, alt text, and captions—all core accessibility features.
When businesses design for inclusion, they’re also designing for discoverability. Accessibility isn’t just ethical, it’s strategic.
Beyond Websites: Accessible Content Matters Too
Alex reminded us that accessibility doesn’t stop at websites. PDFs, Word documents, forms, and even emails need to be structured so computers can read them and present them clearly to users.
He also challenged the myth that PDFs can’t be accessible. They can when correctly structured, but they don’t always work well on mobile. The takeaway? Businesses should always provide flexible, accessible options.
Quick Wins:
How Businesses Can Start Doing Better
The Do Better team shared some practical steps any business can take:
- Choose the right platform – WordPress supports many accessibility features.
- Check colour contrast – Use online tools to ensure text is readable.
- Write alt text for images – Essential for vision accessibility and SEO.
- Test with a keyboard – If you can’t navigate without a mouse, your site isn’t accessible.
- Include lived experience – Ask people with disability to test your digital content.
- Think inclusion, not just access – Represent diversity in your imagery and language.
Accessibility Sparks Innovation
Narelle reminded us that accessibility isn’t just about fixing problems it fuels innovation.
- The typewriter was invented to help a blind man write.
- SMS was developed for the deaf community.
- The transistor, now in every device, was first used in hearing aids.
Accessibility has always pushed technology forward and continues to do so today.
What’s Next for the Do Better Campaign?
Belinda summed it up: “We can help identify, we can help mentor, we can help solve, one website at a time.”
The first focus is on allied health businesses, where accessibility is critical to client care. But the vision is broader: a ripple effect across industries, making accessibility standard practice everywhere.
A dedicated Do Better Campaign website is on its way, building a hub of resources and support for businesses ready to take action.
Final Thoughts
Digital accessibility is no longer optional. It’s a business essential, for growth, for reputation, and for doing the right thing.
The Do Better Campaign is a call to action: to raise awareness, share knowledge, and help businesses build digital spaces where everyone belongs.
So, when it comes to your business are you ready to do better?