Accessibility (a11y) is designing products usable by everyone, including people with disabilities.
Accessible design benefits everyone. Clear labels help all users. Keyboard navigation helps users with mobility disabilities and power users. Readable text helps users with visual impairments and all users in bright sunlight.
Disabilities Considered
Visual: Blindness, low vision, colour blindness.
Motor: Paralysis, tremors, limited mobility.
Hearing: Deafness, hearing loss.
Cognitive: Dyslexia, autism, cognitive delays.
Temporary: Injuries, bright sunlight, noisy environments.
WCAG Guidelines
WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) are standards for accessible web content. Three levels: A (minimum), AA (recommended), AAA (enhanced).
WCAG guidelines are principles:
Perceivable: Users perceive content. Text alternatives for images. Captions for videos.
Operable: Users operate interfaces. Keyboard navigation. Sufficient time for interactions.
Understandable: Content and interfaces are clear. Clear language. Consistent navigation.
Robust: Compatible with assistive technologies. Valid HTML. ARIA attributes.
Visual Accessibility
Colour Contrast: Text and background must have sufficient contrast. Colour-blind users need contrast beyond colour.
Font Size: Text must be readable. Scalable fonts let users enlarge text.
Visual Spacing: Spacing between elements aids understanding. Do not rely on colour alone.
Keyboard Navigation
Keyboard navigation must work. All functionality should be accessible via keyboard. Tab order should be logical. Focus should be visible.
Screen Readers
Screen readers read content aloud. Semantic HTML helps screen readers understand structure. ARIA attributes provide information screen readers cannot determine.
Alternative Text
Images need alternative text. Alt text describes images for screen reader users and when images fail to load.
Alt text should be concise and descriptive. "Image of sunset" is better than "sunset.jpg".
Captions and Transcripts
Videos need captions for deaf and hard-of-hearing users. Audio content needs transcripts.
Form Accessibility
Forms must be accessible. Labels must be associated with fields. Error messages must be clear. Instructions must be clear.
Headings and Structure
Semantic HTML including proper heading hierarchy helps screen readers understand structure. Heading levels should not skip.
Links
Link text should describe destination. "Click here" is less useful than "Read our accessibility guide".
Motion and Animation
Animations can cause motion sickness. Respecting prefers-reduced-motion preference is important.
Testing Accessibility
Automated tools check for accessibility issues. Manual testing with screen readers and keyboard navigation reveals additional issues.
Inclusive Design
Inclusive design considers diverse abilities. Designing for people with disabilities results in better design for everyone.
PixelForce's Accessibility
PixelForce designs accessibly ensuring products are usable by everyone. Accessibility is not an afterthought but integrated throughout design.
Business Case
Accessible products reach more users. Legal compliance is important. Ethical responsibility is paramount.
Tools
Tools including WAVE, Axe, and Lighthouse identify accessibility issues. Screen readers like NVDA and JAWS help testing.
The Future
AI may identify accessibility issues automatically. Voice interfaces expand accessibility. Personalisation enables adapting interfaces to individual needs.
Accessible design is ethical imperative and good business practice. Inclusive design benefits everyone.