Introduction
Accessible design is the practice of designing products, devices, services, or environments
that are inclusive and usable by people with a wide range of abilities. With the increasing
number of people with disabilities using the internet, it is crucial for designers and developers
to consider accessibility in their work. In this blog, we will explore the principles of
accessible design, the benefits it brings to users, and practical tips for creating accessible
digital experiences.
Accessibility design, also known as inclusive design, is the practice of designing products
and services that can be used by people with disabilities. This includes people with visual,
auditory, motor, and cognitive impairments. Accessibility design is important not only for
people with disabilities but also for the elderly and people with temporary disabilities such as
broken arm or hand. In addition, it also benefits people who are using small screens or
different languages.
Accessibility design is very important not only from a moral and ethical perspective, but also
from a business perspective as it allows you to reach a wider audience and create a more
inclusive digital environment. Accessibility design is an ongoing process, and it’s important
to test and validate the accessibility of a product or service with real users. This can be done
by conducting user research and testing with users who have disabilities and adjusting as
needed based on their feedback.
One of the main benefits of accessibility design is that it leads to better usability for all users,
not just those with disabilities. For example, a website that is designed to be accessible to
people with visual impairments may also be easier to use for people with poor vision. This is
because accessibility design often focuses on creating clear and simple navigation, providing
feedback and guidance, and using clear and simple language.
Another benefit of accessibility design is that it can help organisations reach a wider
customer base and increase their market potential. This is because by designing products and
services that are usable by as many people as possible, organisations can attract and retain
more customers. Additionally, accessibility design can save money in the long run, as it is
often cheaper to make a product or service accessible at the design stage than to retrofit it
later.
Accessibility design is also important for organisations because it can help them comply with legal requirements. Many countries have laws that require organizations to make their
products and services accessible to people with disabilities, and accessibility design can help organisations comply with these laws.
Some benefits of accessibility design include
- Increased accessibility for people with disabilities
Accessibility design ensures that
people with disabilities can use and access products, environments, and systems just
as easily as people without disabilities.
- Improved usability for everyone
Accessibility design often leads to better usability
for all users, not just those with disabilities. For example, a mobile app or a website
that is designed to be accessible to people with visual impairments may also be easier
to use for people with poor vision. - Greater market potential
By designing products and services that are usable by as
many people as possible, companies and organizations can reach a wider customer
base and increase their market potential. - Compliance with legal requirements
Many countries have laws that require
organizations to make their products and services accessible to people with
disabilities, and accessibility design can help organizations comply with these laws. - Cost savings
Implementing accessibility design can save money in the long run, as it
is often cheaper to make a product or service accessible at the design stage than to
modify it later.
However, despite its many benefits, accessibility design is often overlooked by organizations.
This is often because organizations do not realize the importance of accessibility design or
because they do not understand how to implement it.
Accessibility design is a holistic approach to designing products and services that can be used
by a wide range of users, including those with disabilities. It involves considering the needs
and abilities of all users, and designing solutions that are flexible and adaptable to different
users’ needs. There are several key principals for designing for accessibility which a designer
needs to keep in mind while designing a product.
Here are several key principles of accessibility design
- Perceivable
Information and user interface components must be presented in a way
that users can perceive, such as through text alternatives for non-text content and
captioning for video.
- Operable
User interface components and navigation must be operable by a wide
range of users, including those with motor, visual, and cognitive impairments.
- Understandable
Information and the operation of user interface must be
understandable, including through clear and simple language and consistent
navigation.
- Robust
Accessibility must be robust enough to work with a wide range of assistive
technologies and user abilities.
- Inclusive
Accessibility should be inclusive, considering the needs of a diverse
population of users, including those with disabilities and older adults.
How to Approach Accessibility in Product Design
When approaching accessibility in product design, it is important to incorporate accessibility
early in the design process. This means that accessibility should be considered at the same
time as other design elements, such as layout and colour scheme. By incorporating accessibility early in the design process, organisations can ensure that the product is usable
for people with disabilities from the outset, rather than trying to retrofit accessibility later.
Conducting user research is another key aspect of accessibility design. User research with
people with disabilities can help organizations understand their needs and preferences. This
can help ensure that the design meets the needs of the intended users and that the product is
usable for people with disabilities.
Another important aspect of accessibility design is following accessibility guidelines. These
guidelines, such as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) and the Americans
with Disabilities Act (ADA), provide organizations with a set of standards that they can
follow to ensure that their products and services are accessible to people with disabilities.
Testing with assistive technologies is also an important part of accessibility design. Assistive
technologies, such as screen readers, can help organisations understand how their products
and services will be used by people with disabilities. This can help organizations identify any
accessibility issues that need to be addressed and make the necessary changes to improve the
usability of their products and services for people with disabilities.
Here are a few examples of how accessibility design can be applied
- Text alternatives
Providing text alternatives for non-text content, such as images and
videos, makes them accessible to users who are visually impaired. This can be
achieved by using alt text, captions, and audio descriptions.
- Keyboard navigation
Designing websites and applications that can be navigated
using just a keyboard, allows users who are unable to use a mouse to access the
content.
- Colour contrast
Ensuring that the contrast between text and background is high
enough to be easily read by users who are visually impaired. This can be achieved by
using colour contrast checkers and following the guidelines provided by the Web
Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).
- Audio and video
Providing captions and audio descriptions for videos and podcasts,
allows users who are deaf or hard of hearing to understand the content.
- Screen readers
Designing web pages and applications that can be read by screen
readers, allows users who are visually impaired to access the content. This can be
achieved by using ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) attributes, which
provide extra information about the roles and states of elements on a web page.
- Zoom and font size
Allowing users to increase the font size and zoom in on a web
page, allows users with visual impairments to read the content more easily. - ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications)
A set of attributes that can be used to
describe the roles and states of elements in a web page, allowing assistive
technologies to better understand the content.
Being inclusive and flexible is also important when approaching accessibility design. This
means that organisations should consider the needs of all users, including those with
disabilities. They should be flexible and open to change, be ready to receive feedback and
adjust the design accordingly.
Collaborating with accessibility experts is another important aspect of accessibility design.
Accessibility experts, such as accessibility engineers, user researchers, and designers, can
provide organisations with guidance and expertise on accessibility best practices. They can
help organisations understand the needs of people with disabilities and provide them with the
necessary tools and resources to create accessible products and services.
In order to fully implement accessibility design, organisations must also consider the
different types of disabilities and how they affect the use of their products and services. For
example, people with visual impairments may require larger text or high contrast colours,
while people with mobility impairments may require larger buttons or alternative input
methods. Another crucial aspect of accessibility design is providing alternatives for non-text
content, such as images and videos. This can include providing text descriptions of images,
captions for videos, and audio descriptions for visual content. This ensures that non-text
content is accessible to people with visual impairments.
It’s also important to keep in mind the context of use when designing for accessibility. This
means considering the environment in which the product or service will be used, such as in a
public space or a private home and designing accordingly. For example, a public display in a
train station may need to have audio announcements for the visually impaired, while a home
appliance may need to have buttons with Braille labelling for the visually impaired.
Conclusion
Accessibility design is essential for creating products and services that are usable by as many
people as possible. It leads to better usability for all users, increased market potential,
compliance with legal requirements, and cost savings. Organizations must incorporate
accessibility early in the design process, conduct user research, follow accessibility
guidelines, test with assistive technologies, be inclusive and flexible, collaborate with
accessibility experts, and consider the different types of disabilities and the context of use.
It’s important for companies to understand that accessibility is not just a bonus but a
necessary aspect of design that should be considered throughout the entire design process. It’s
not only a legal obligation but also a way to ensure that everyone has access to the same
opportunities and resources. With the right approach and dedication, accessibility design can
be easily integrated into the design process and ultimately lead to a more inclusive and
equitable society.