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In today’s world, technology and information sharing are advancing rapidly, making life significantly easier in many ways. However, have we ever considered whether these fast-paced changes are equitable for everyone?

"The disability is not the problem. The accessibility is the problem." — Mohammed Jemni #TED13

Accessibility ensures that every member of society can benefit fairly without barriers. Individuals with physical disabilities, as well as those with visual or hearing impairments, all have different needs that must be addressed.

This is where accessibility and user experience (UX) intersect. A great UX is not just about aesthetics and functionality; it is also about accessibility. Accessible design ensures that digital products can be used by the broadest possible audience, regardless of physical or cognitive abilities.

Why Is Accessibility Important?

Inclusivity 🫂

Disability is often misunderstood from a limited perspective. However, according to the World Health Organization’s World Report on Disability, approximately 15% of the world’s population lives with some form of disability. This percentage is expected to rise, particularly in aging populations, making accessibility a necessity rather than a luxury.

Legal and Ethical Responsibility 👨🏻‍⚖️

Regulations such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) impose standards that designers must adhere to. However, the importance of accessibility in UX design goes beyond legal compliance—it is also a moral obligation.

Market Reach 📈

Inclusive design is both an ethical and strategic advantage. An accessible UX design not only caters to a specific group but also enhances brand reputation and expands the user base. For designers, accessibility is not just a requirement but a core component of a successful user experience.

How Can Accessibility Be Integrated into Design?

Accessibility encompasses elements such as color contrast, readability, and structured layouts to ensure everyone can comfortably interact with digital content.

Color Contrast 🎨

One of the most common accessibility issues observed by WebAIM is poor contrast:

• 86.3% of homepage text and 85.4% of internal page text suffer from low contrast issues.

This highlights the importance of targeting users with visual impairments. Ensuring strong contrast between text and background improves readability, especially for those with low vision.

Missing Alternative Text 📝

WebAIM also reports that:

• 66% of homepage images and 61.9% of internal page images lack alternative text.

• 9.3% of images with alt text include redundant labels like "[filename]," "image," or "empty."

Alt text should provide meaningful descriptions that help users understand an image’s content. Without it, visually impaired users relying on screen readers may only hear the word "image," which provides no context. Therefore, every image should have a well-structured alt text to improve the user experience.

Ambiguous Links and Buttons ⛓️

Vague buttons and links not only make navigation difficult but also reduce user trust in clicking on them.

A properly designed link should clearly convey why users should click it and what they can expect. For instance, "Read more" is an ambiguous phrase that does not inform users about the content they are accessing.

For screen reader users, icons like a "hamburger menu" might not make sense. Descriptive labels improve usability by guiding users through their interactions effectively.

Readable Typography 👁️

Font readability is a crucial factor. While some serif fonts offer distinctive stroke widths and spacing, W3C guidelines support both serif and sans-serif fonts.

However, sans-serif fonts often perform better on digital screens. Designers should always verify whether a typeface is optimized for on-screen readability before implementation.

Accessibility Testing 👨🏻‍🦯

To obtain real insights, designs should be tested with real users, including those with disabilities. User testing is one of the most effective ways to create a more accessible interface.

Finding users to test with can sometimes be challenging. So, how can you ensure your product meets accessibility standards? Consider guidelines from platforms like Apple’s Human Interface Guidelines and Google’s Material Design for reference.

Conclusion

Accessible UX benefits not only designers but also businesses and society as a whole. A better user experience enables more people to engage effectively in the digital world, fostering a more inclusive society.

Accessibility in UX is not just a design principle—it is a value. Embracing this value is a critical step toward making the digital world fairer and more usable for everyone.

Additionally, before writing this article, I had the opportunity to visit the Dialogue in the Dark Museum, where I experienced firsthand the challenges faced by visually impaired individuals. If you found this article insightful, I highly recommend visiting the museum to gain a deeper understanding of accessibility issues.