👩🏻🦯➡️ Accessibility (A11y) & it's importance.
What is digital accessibility (a11y) and why is it crucial in product design?
In the world of UX design, digital accessibility has become a fundamental pillar for creating inclusive and successful products. Through my experience, I have witnessed the evolution and growing importance of accessibility (A11Y) in digital product design. In this entry, we will explore what digital accessibility is and why it is essential to consider it at every stage of the design process.
What is digital accessibility?
Digital accessibility refers to the design and development of products, services, and digital environments that can be used by everyone, including those with disabilities. This includes a variety of disabilities, such as visual, auditory, motor, and cognitive impairments. The main goal is to eliminate barriers that prevent certain individuals from accessing or interacting with technology effectively.
According to the Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI), part of the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), web accessibility means that web pages, tools, and technologies are designed and developed so that people with disabilities can use them. WAI
Importance of accessibility in product design
Inclusion and equity
Digital accessibility is not only a matter of legal compliance but also a social responsibility. Designing accessible products ensures that everyone, regardless of their abilities, can access the information and services offered by digital platforms. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), over one billion people worldwide live with some form of disability. Ignoring this significant segment of the population can lead to permanent exclusion.
Improvement of UX for Everyone
Implementing accessibility practices benefits not only people with disabilities but also enhances the user experience for everyone. Elements like good color contrast, clear navigation, and well-structured content make it easier and more enjoyable for any user, regardless of their abilities, to interact with the product. A study by Forrester Research showed that a good user experience can increase customer satisfaction and, consequently, brand loyalty.
Legal compliance and avoiding penalties
Many countries have laws and regulations that require digital products to be accessible. For example, in the United States, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) mandates that businesses offering public services must ensure their digital platforms are accessible. Non-compliance can result in financial penalties and damage to the brand's reputation.
Market expansion
Making a digital product accessible opens up access to a broader market. People with disabilities represent a considerable portion of the global population, and addressing their needs can mean a significant increase in the user base and business opportunities. According to a report by Accenture, companies that adopt inclusive design and development practices can see up to a 28% increase in their revenues.
Key principles of digital accessibility (A11y)
Perceivable
Information and user interface components must be presented in ways that users can perceive. This involves providing alternative text for images, captions for videos, and ensuring that the colors used have adequate contrast.
Operable
Interface components and navigation must be operable. This includes ensuring that all functionalities are accessible via the keyboard, providing adequate time to read and use the content, and avoiding elements that may cause seizures or dizziness, such as certain types of animations.
Understandable
Information and the operation of the interface must be understandable. This means using clear and simple language, organizing information logically, and providing contextual aids to facilitate user interaction with the product.
Robust
Content must be robust enough to be reliably interpreted by a wide variety of user agents, including assistive technologies. This involves following web standards and using clean, semantic code.
These principles are based on the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) developed by the W3C. WCAG 2.2
Benefits of implementing accessibility in product design
Increased usability
Focusing on accessibility leads designers to create cleaner and more organized interfaces, which improves the overall usability of the product. An intuitive interface reduces the learning curve and makes it easier for users to perform their tasks efficiently.
Improved SEO
Search engines value accessibility when indexing content. Elements like alt tags on images, well-structured headings, and descriptive text can significantly improve search engine rankings, increasing the product's visibility.
Long-Term cost reduction
Implementing accessibility from the early stages of design and development can save significant costs in the long run. Fixing accessibility issues after the product has been launched is usually much more expensive and may require complete redesigns.
Strengthening the brand
A brand committed to accessibility demonstrates empathy, responsibility, and a commitment to inclusion. This not only improves the public perception of the brand but also strengthens customer loyalty.
Strategies to integrate accessibility into product design
Research and understanding of user needs
Before starting the design, it is crucial to understand the diverse needs of users. Conducting research with people who have different disabilities can provide valuable insights on how to improve the product's accessibility.
Training and awareness of the team
It is essential that the entire design and development team is trained in accessibility principles. Raising awareness about the importance of accessibility and how to implement it should be an integral part of the company's culture.
Use of accessible tools and technologies
There are numerous tools that can help evaluate and improve a product's accessibility, such as Deque's axe, WebAIM's Wave, and Google's Lighthouse. These tools allow for the efficient identification and correction of accessibility issues.
Accessibility testing
Conducting accessibility tests with real users and assistive technologies is essential to identify and resolve issues that automated tests may not detect. Including people with disabilities in testing ensures that the product is truly accessible.
Continuous iteration
Accessibility is not a one-time task but an ongoing process. As the product evolves, it is necessary to review and update accessibility practices to adapt to new technologies and user needs.
Success stories in digital accessibility
Apple
Apple has been a benchmark in digital accessibility, incorporating a wide range of accessibility features into its products. From VoiceOver, a screen reader for visually impaired users, to customizable accessibility controls in iOS and macOS, Apple demonstrates how accessibility can be effectively integrated into product design.
Microsoft
Microsoft has also made significant advancements in accessibility with tools like Narrator, Magnifier, and Speech Recognition in Windows. Additionally, their Inclusive Design initiative aims to create products that can be used by the widest possible range of people. However, it is worth noting that their website uses absolute black backgrounds with completely white text, which can cause a blurring effect and reduce readability—Microsoft always making their own things.
Airbnb
Airbnb has implemented accessibility practices on its platform to ensure its services are accessible to people with disabilities. This includes optimizing navigation, providing detailed property descriptions, and incorporating specific search filters for accessible accommodations.
Conclusion
Digital accessibility is an essential component in designing modern and successful products. It not only promotes inclusion and equity but also enhances usability, strengthens the brand, and opens up new business opportunities.
In an increasingly digital world, ensuring that all users can access and benefit from products and services is a responsibility we cannot ignore.
As UX designers, we have the opportunity and responsibility to create products that are accessible to everyone. By integrating accessibility from the early stages of design, we use technology to empower all individuals, ensuring that no one is excluded from the opportunities offered by the digital world.
Here are some useful links:
Implementing accessibility is not just a trend but a necessity that reflects our commitment as human beings. As design professionals, we must ensure that our products are accessible to everyone.
.see also
