Accessibility: The UX Blind Spot That’s Costing You

Accessibility in design is often an overlooked aspect, particularly for those who haven't personally navigated the world with a disability. But here's a reality check: According to the WHO, 1.3 billion people worldwide live with significant challenges. Neglecting to consider their needs is not only imprudent but also a missed opportunity to produce work of genuine significance. Inclusive design isn't a special feature or afterthought; it's the foundation that leads to great product design.

Why Accessibility Matters

Inclusive design is about creating solutions that work better for everyone. A great example of this is the 'curb cut effect.' Curb cuts, originally introduced to help wheelchair users navigate sidewalks, have proven invaluable to a much broader audience, including parents with strollers, travelers with luggage, and delivery workers.

This principle highlights how designing with accessibility in mind often leads to innovations that benefit people in a variety of situations, not just those with disabilities. By removing barriers and improving usability for a diverse range of users, inclusive design fosters products and environments that are more intuitive, adaptable, and universally effective.

And If You Ignore Accessibility…

Beyond ethical and usability considerations, accessibility is increasingly becoming a legal requirement worldwide. While the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) has long mandated accessible digital experiences in the U.S., recent regulations like the European Accessibility Act (EAA) are expanding these requirements across Europe. This year, businesses operating in the EU will be required to ensure their digital products comply with modern day accessibility standards, with non-compliance leading to potential fines ranging from around €5,000 to €20,000 per violation ($5,211.50 to $20,846 USD).

Neglecting accessibility not only leads to legal risks but also excludes a significant portion of the population from accessing products and services. The 2012 lawsuit against Netflix for failing to provide captions led to widespread changes that benefit users beyond those with auditory impairments. Captioning is now a standard feature for video content, aiding people with neurodivergence, language learners, and those in noisy environments. Recent lawsuits against companies like Nike and Amazon further highlight the growing legal and reputational risks of ignoring accessibility.

Inclusive design is about fostering a culture of inclusion and creating products that work for everyone. By incorporating accessibility principles early and often, with an accessibility-first mindset, product teams can design experiences that empower all users and set a higher standard for user-centered innovation.

Establishing an Accessible Design Practice

The POUR method, developed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) through their Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI), offers a straightforward approach to integrating accessibility into your daily design practice. This framework ensures digital content and interfaces are usable for all, regardless of ability.

Understanding POUR

POUR is an acronym that stands for:

• Perceivable
• Operable
• Understandable
• Robust

These four principles form the foundation of accessible web design and content creation.

Why POUR Matters

Implementing the POUR principles is not just about compliance; it's about creating inclusive digital experiences. By adhering to these guidelines, designers can:

• Ensure their content is accessible to a wider audience.
• Improve user experience for all users.
• Meet legal requirements and avoid potential lawsuits.
• Demonstrate a commitment to inclusivity and social responsibility.

Designing for Diverse Abilities

When evaluating your designs, it’s essential to consider a wide range of disabilities and user needs. One of the best ways to achieve this is by following WCAG 2.1 AA standards. AA compliance is the minimum standard designers should aim for, as it addresses the most common accessibility barriers. WCAG also includes AAA standards, which provide even higher levels of accessibility but can be more difficult to implement across all digital experiences. While AAA is ideal, striving for AA ensures a strong foundation for inclusive design.

To help you incorporate accessibility into your design process, here’s a checklist of key recommendations:

Visual Considerations

• Is there enough color contrast between the text and background?

  • For most text, a 4.5:1 contrast ratio is considered necessary to meet WCAG Level AA accessibility standards.
  • Test with contrast checker tools, some popular options include WebAIM Contrast Checker or Axe DevTools.

• Is the text large enough to read?

  • WCAG guidelines state that websites should have a minimum body text size of 16px, scalable up to 200%.
  • The National Disability Rights Network recommends a minimum font size for body text of 14 points for Word documents and 24 points for PowerPoint presentations.

• Will this design be compatible with screen readers?

  • Tab through your site—does the navigation follow a logical reading order?
  • Try using your site with a screen reader like NVDA or VoiceOver, navigating without looking at the screen.
• Avoid color alone to convey meaning (e.g., errors should use icons or text, not just red).

Hearing Considerations

• Are captions provided for video content?
• Are audio alerts supported by another sense, such as visual indicators or haptic feedback (e.g., vibration on a mobile device)?

Cognitive Considerations

• Are layouts clear and free from visual noise?
  • Neurodivergent users may struggle with excessive colors, flashy imagery, or animations.
• Are instructions simple and easy to understand?
  • If a child was using your product, would they know what to do?
• Are interactions predictable?
  • Jakob’s Law states that users prefer your site to work the same way as others they already know. For example, most websites have a top navigation bar with "Home," "About," and "Contact" links, allowing users to navigate intuitively.

Motor Considerations

• Are touch targets large enough?
  • WCAG recommends a minimum touch target size of 44x44 pixels.
• Are gestures overly complex?
  • Multi-finger gestures like pinching or three-finger swiping can be difficult for users with motor disabilities.

While automated accessibility tools such as WebAIM Contrast Checker, Axe DevTools, and NVDA provide valuable insights, they cannot replace the nuanced understanding gained from real user feedback. Direct engagement with individuals who have diverse abilities is essential for creating inclusive designs.

Building relationships with users and stakeholders is key. Through conversations about accessibility or direct user testing, you may discover that some team members or users are neurodivergent, color-blind, or have other conditions. Many are eager to contribute as regular UI testers, ensuring designs meet their needs. Making them feel like valued contributors to the product development lifecycle strengthens inclusivity and results in better products for everyone.

A Core Value for a More Inclusive Future

Embedding accessibility into your design practices transforms good products into exceptional solutions that serve humanity's diverse needs. By starting small and iterating consistently, teams can create experiences that expand user reach, mitigate legal risks, and demonstrate a profound understanding that great design transcends individual capabilities. The most impactful designs recognize that our world is wonderfully varied, and true innovation emerges when we create technology that welcomes everyone.