Designing for Accessibility: An Ethical Mandate

The Struggle is Real

Imagine yourself as a five-year-old child with a severe case of the hiccups, trying to drink a glass of water. That is exactly how it feels for people with physical disabilities when they are attempting to navigate poorly designed websites or applications. Designing for accessibility should not be an afterthought, but rather an ethical mandate for designers, developers, and project managers alike.

What is Accessibility and Why Should We Care?

Accessibility, in the context of web and app design, refers to the ease with which users with disabilities can access and use digital content. Why does it matter, you ask? Well, according to the World Bank, 15% of the world's population experiences some form of disability. That translates to roughly one billion people who may face barriers when using digital products. By creating accessible designs, we are not only making our products more usable for a wider range of people, but we are also fostering a more inclusive society. And, let's not forget that making our products accessible is also good for business—after all, who wouldn't want to tap into a market the size of China?

The Four Noble Truths of Accessible Design

To help us better understand the concept of accessible design, let's break it down into four essential principles:

• Perceivable: Information and interface components must be presented in ways that users can perceive. In other words, if you are presenting crucial information through an interpretive dance video, chances are you are not meeting this principle.
• Operable: Users must be able to operate interface components and navigate the content. This means that you should avoid designing interfaces that require users to complete a crossword puzzle or recite the lyrics to "Bohemian Rhapsody" in order to access your content.
• Understandable: Content and interface operation should be clear and easy to understand. Remember, your users are not psychic, so avoid assuming that they will inherently know how to use your design.
• Robust: Your content should be accessible across a wide range of devices, platforms, and assistive technologies. In other words, make sure your design doesn't crumble like a delicate soufflé the moment it is accessed through a screen reader or an older browser.

Practical Tips for Designing with Accessibility in Mind

So, now that we have established the importance of accessible design and its core principles, let's dive into some practical tips to ensure your digital creations are accessible to all:

Start with a Solid Foundation

When designing for accessibility, it is crucial to start with a solid foundation. This means ensuring that your HTML is well-structured, your CSS is clean, and your JavaScript is unobtrusive. Think of it as building a house: if your foundation is weak, your beautiful paint job and carefully chosen furnishings will not matter in the slightest when the whole thing comes crashing down.

Make Your Text Easy on the Eyes

When it comes to accessible design, text is king. Make sure your text is large enough to be easily read and has sufficient contrast against the background. Additionally, avoid using complex or decorative fonts that may be confusing to users with dyslexia or other reading difficulties. Remember, your users are here to read your content, not decipher hieroglyphics.

Don't Rely Solely on Color

While color can be a powerful design tool, it is essential not to rely on it as the sole means of conveying information. Approximately 8% of men and 0.5% of women have some form of color vision deficiency, so be sure to use other visual cues such as icons, patterns, or labels to ensure your design is accessible to all.

Design with Keyboard Navigation in Mind

Many users with motor disabilities or visual impairments rely on keyboard navigation to access digital content. Make sure your design can be operated using the keyboard alone, without requiring a mouse or other pointing device. This includes ensuring that all interactive elements are reachable and operable via the keyboard and that focus indicators are visible and clear.

Test, Test, and Test Again

Finally, the key to creating accessible designs is testing. Utilize tools such as screen readers and browser extensions to test your design for accessibility issues, and include users with disabilities in your user testing sessions. Remember, you are not designing for yourself; you are designing for a diverse audience with a wide range of abilities and needs.

Embrace the Ethical Mandate

Designing for accessibility is not just a box to be ticked off on a project checklist; it is an ethical mandate that we must embrace in order to create a more inclusive, diverse, and equitable digital landscape. By following the principles and tips outlined in this article, you will be well on your way to creating digital products that are accessible to all, ensuring that no user is left behind in the digital age.


Article kindly provided by designerviews.org