Accessibility

Accessibility is the practice of designing and developing products so that people of all abilities and disabilities can perceive, understand, navigate, and interact with them. A strong commitment to accessibility goes beyond just meeting legal requirements (e.g., WCAG, ADA) and ensures that digital experiences are inclusive and usable for the widest possible audience.

Best practices

Design with Accessibility in Mind

Plan for screen readers, keyboard interactions, and other assistive technologies from the outset.
Conduct regular usability tests with users of varying abilities.

Iterate & Validate

Leverage automated tools (e.g. Lighthouse) and manual checks to catch potential issues.
Continuously improve based on user feedback, especially from those using assistive tools.

Provide Accessible Forms

Use clear labels, helpful error messages, and simple instructions.
Group related form elements and ensure proper focus management.

Offer Multiple Modalities

Provide captions or transcripts for video/audio content.
Allow alternative inputs (e.g., voice navigation, on-screen keyboard).

Educate & Document

Train your team on accessibility best practices, guidelines, and legal requirements.
Document accessibility standards within your design system to ensure consistency.

Stay Current

Accessibility standards and technologies evolve. Keep up-to-date with the latest guidelines (WCAG updates, ARIA specs).
Adapt your design system and components as new best practices emerge.

Remember that accessible design often intersects with overall usability—improvements for users with disabilities commonly enhance the product for all users.

Summary

Accessibility is an ongoing commitment that permeates every aspect of product design and development. By incorporating inclusive design principles, focusing on keyboard navigation and screen reader compatibility, and adhering to WCAG guidelines, you ensure that your interface is usable by the widest possible audience. Embracing accessibility not only meets ethical and legal responsibilities but also elevates the overall user experience for everyone.