Client Overview

Lex Gillette is a world-renowned Paralympic athlete, motivational speaker, and author who has broken barriers in track and field, proving that there are no limits to what a determined mind can achieve. As a blind screen reader user, Lex understands firsthand the importance of digital accessibility and ensuring that online spaces are inclusive to all users. However, his existing website, built on WordPress, was completely inaccessible—even to him.

His team, led by his business executive, approached Zenyth with a clear mission:

• Make Lex's website fully accessible so that he could navigate and manage it independently using a screen reader.
• Redesign the website to be more visually cohesive with his personal brand.
• Build a simple, functional, and accessible eCommerce platform to support book and merchandise sales.

This was a challenge we were eager to take on, knowing that the impact of an inclusive website for Lex would be profound.

Project Challenges & Initial Investigation

When we first assessed Lex’s existing website, we discovered major accessibility barriers, including:

• Non-navigable menus that made it impossible for screen reader users to move through the site.
• Unlabeled buttons and images that prevented Lex from knowing what actions were available.
• Poor contrast and inconsistent branding, making the site difficult to read and visually unappealing.
• Unstructured content, making it challenging for assistive technology to interpret the page correctly.

Additionally, WordPress’s reliance on third-party plugins made accessibility fixes cumbersome and unreliable. After thorough research, we determined that Webflow would provide a more structured and manageable platform that could be made fully conformant to WCAG 2.1 AA standards while offering design flexibility and long-term scalability.

However, we knew this project required both expert design and accessibility expertise. We partnered with a trusted design firm to ensure the final product would not only be aesthetically stunning but also highly functional and accessible.

The Solution: A Fully Accessible, WCAG-Compliant Webflow Build

Our process followed a structured and iterative approach to ensure accessibility and usability were built into the foundation of the new website.

1. Collaborative Web Design in Figma

We worked closely with our design partner to ensure accessibility was embedded in the initial Figma wireframes and design mockups. This phase involved:

• Applying proper color contrast ratios for text and background elements.
• Ensuring all interactive elements (buttons, links, forms) met best practices for keyboard and screen reader accessibility.
• Structuring content logically to improve user flow and comprehension.
• Providing oversight and feedback to ensure compliance with WCAG standards before any development began.

Every iteration of the design was reviewed, tested, and refined with Lex’s needs in mind.

2. Webflow Development with Accessibility at the Core

Once the designs were approved, development began in Webflow. Our role was to provide continuous accessibility oversight, ensuring that every component was coded correctly. This included:

• Semantic HTML structure to ensure proper reading order and navigation.
• ARIA attributes where necessary to enhance screen reader compatibility.
• Keyboard navigability and logical tab order for all interactive elements.
• Alt text for all images and graphics, making visual content accessible to blind users.

3. Accessibility Audits & Iterative Testing

To guarantee conformance, we conducted multiple rounds of accessibility audits at key development stages. These audits included:

• Automated testing using Axe and WAVE.
• Manual accessibility testing with screen readers (NVDA, VoiceOver, JAWS).
• Cross-browser and cross-device testing to ensure a seamless experience for all users.

Each round of testing provided detailed feedback and remediation instructions, which the development team implemented before the next round of testing.

The Impact: A Website Lex Can Finally Use

When the final website launched, it was a major success for Lex and his audience.

• Lex can now navigate and manage his own website independently—a fundamental right that was previously denied to him.
• The design is visually stunning and cohesive, showcasing Lex as an athlete, speaker, and author with a unified brand presence.
• The eCommerce store is simple yet highly functional, allowing Lex to sell books and merchandise effortlessly with an accessible checkout process.
• Every visitor, regardless of ability, can now fully engage with the website, reinforcing the importance of inclusive digital spaces.

For us at Zenyth, this project was more than just another website build—it was a statement on the power of accessibility and inclusion. The final product is something we are truly proud of, and we hope it inspires other businesses and public figures to prioritize accessibility in their digital presence.

Conclusion: Why Accessibility Matters

Lex’s website is a testament to what’s possible when accessibility is prioritized from the start. It proves that no one should be excluded from managing their own digital presence—especially not someone as influential as Lex Gillette.

At Zenyth, we believe accessibility is not an afterthought—it’s a necessity. If you’re looking to make your website truly inclusive, we’re here to help.

Need an accessible website? Let’s talk.