accessibly

Accessibly is an English adverb describing the manner in which something is accessible. It is formed from the adjective accessible with the adverbial suffix -ly and is used to convey how easily something can be reached, understood, or used by people, including those with disabilities. The term emphasizes the manner of accessibility rather than the state of being accessible.

In professional contexts—web development, architecture, product design, education, and publishing—accessibly appears in discussions of inclusive practice. For example: “The website is accessible and presents content accessibly,” or “Wayfinding signage is designed to be navigated accessibly by people who rely on mobility aids or screen readers.”

Accessibly contrasts with accessible (an adjective) and accessibility (a noun). It tends to describe how access is provided or enacted, rather than the existence of access itself. In policy and standards work, writers may describe features as being implemented accessibly to indicate that barriers have been removed or reduced for diverse users. Guidelines such as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) and ISO 21542 influence how such design choices are described and implemented.

Etymology: accessibly derives from accessible, which traces to Latin accessibilis meaning “able to be approached,” from accessus meaning “an approach.”

See also: accessibility, accessible design, WCAG, inclusive design.