Why Accessibility Matters: A Deeper Dive into Inclusive
At Moser UX, we often explore how to go beyond surface-level accessibility and get asked an essential question by our clients: Why is accessibility important?
The answer isn't that clients don't care about accessibility—more often, it's about balancing time, cost, and the perceived complexity of implementing accessibility measures. However, accessibility is essential to creating a more inclusive digital world. As designers, we can start with simple tools like color contrast checkers, but accessibility goes much deeper. It addresses a wide range of user needs that fall under three main umbrellas: low vision, cognitive and learning disabilities, and motor disabilities.
Let's delve into each of these areas.
Vision and Accessibility
When addressing visual accessibility, there’s a wide spectrum to consider—from individuals with color blindness to those who are completely blind. While quick fixes like adjusting color contrast are straightforward, visual accessibility requires more comprehensive strategies.
For example, color blindness can typically be resolved with a 3:1 contrast ratio, which allows most users to distinguish between colors. This can be easily checked with tools available online. However, for users who are blind, the design must cater to screen readers and other assistive technologies. That’s where things get more complex.
Automated and manual testing procedures help ensure the site's structure works for screen readers. It's crucial that users can navigate through a site logically, with information being read to them in a way that makes sense—whether they're filing taxes, buying groceries, or chatting on a social media platform. There are additional standards under Section 508 and WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) that govern how content changes, whether the screen flashes, and how fast users can interact with content. While these rules might seem complex, they are necessary to ensure that all users can navigate your site with ease.
Cognitive and Learning Disabilities
The second umbrella of accessibility focuses on cognitive and learning disabilities, and this is often where UX design plays a pivotal role. This is about making the site as easy to use as possible. Things like flat site maps at the footer of a page, intuitive navigation, and alternative CAPTCHAs are all subtle but significant enhancements that improve usability for everyone.
This area of accessibility often goes unnoticed because it enhances the experience for all users, not just those with specific disabilities. However, creating a site that's easy to navigate, logical, and reduces the cognitive load on users is central to good UX design and helps ensure inclusivity.
Motor Disabilities
Lastly, we consider motor disabilities, which impact users' ability to navigate the site using traditional input methods like a mouse or keyboard. For users with limited motor function, ensuring that the site can be fully navigated by keyboard alone or that target areas for clickable elements are large enough is critical.
Designing for motor disabilities means rethinking the way people interact with your site, ensuring that it’s accessible regardless of the devices or input methods used. For example, we need to avoid small, hard-to-click buttons and make sure the tab order is logical and easy to follow for keyboard users.
Investing in Accessibility: A Long-Term Solution
As we look to the future, it’s clear that accessibility isn’t just a box to check—it’s an ongoing investment in usability for all users. Some solutions, like AI-powered tools such as AccessiBe, offer quick fixes, but accessibility often requires a deeper commitment. Not every issue can be caught by automated tools, and working directly with users who have disabilities can help us find the best solutions for your site.
Investing in accessibility benefits everyone, not just those with permanent disabilities. Temporary or situational disabilities—like a broken arm or recovering from surgery—can make accessible design invaluable. By making the investment upfront, even when you don’t see an immediate need, you can avoid having to implement additional accommodations later on. Addressing accessibility early ensures that your site is prepared for all users, no matter their circumstances.
At Moser UX, we hold certifications in accessibility and are committed to ensuring your site meets all important standards, creating a seamless experience for every user. Whether you need full custom development or just an accessibility review as a second set of eyes, we’re here to help. Feel free to reach out to us using the link below to discuss your accessibility needs.
Discover YOUR perfect UX package today. Contact MoserUX for more information at marketing@moserit.com.