Designing for Accessibility: Creating Inclusive Digital Experiences

In today’s digital landscape, creating accessible websites and applications isn’t just a legal consideration—it’s a fundamental aspect of good design. At Analog, we believe that accessibility is not an afterthought or a checkbox to tick, but a core principle that guides our entire design and development process.

Why Accessibility Matters

When we talk about digital accessibility, we’re referring to designing and developing websites, tools, and technologies that people with disabilities can use. But the benefits extend far beyond this specific group:

• It expands your audience: Approximately 15% of the global population lives with some form of disability. Inaccessible design excludes a significant portion of potential users.
• It improves usability for everyone: Features designed for accessibility often benefit all users. Think about curb cuts—designed for wheelchair users but helpful for parents with strollers, travelers with luggage, and many others.
• It drives innovation: Designing for constraints often leads to creative solutions that improve the overall user experience.
• It’s legally required in many jurisdictions: From the ADA in the US to the EAA in Europe, accessibility is increasingly mandated by law.

Core Principles of Accessible Design

1. Perceivable Information

Information and user interface components must be presentable to users in ways they can perceive. This means providing alternatives for non-text content and creating content that can be presented in different ways without losing meaning.

<!-- Poor accessibility -->
<img src="chart-quarterly-results.png">

<!-- Good accessibility -->
<img 
  src="chart-quarterly-results.png" 
  alt="Bar chart showing quarterly results: Q1: $1.2M, Q2: $1.5M, Q3: $1.8M, Q4: $2.1M" 
  longdesc="quarterly-results-description.html">
<a href="quarterly-results-data.csv">Download the data (CSV)</a>

2. Operable Interface

User interface components and navigation must be operable. This means making all functionality available from a keyboard, giving users enough time to read and use content, and not designing content in a way that could cause seizures.

/* Ensuring focus states are clearly visible */
:focus {
  outline: 3px solid #4299e1;
  outline-offset: 2px;
}

/* Providing sufficient color contrast */
.button {
  background-color: #2b6cb0;
  color: #ffffff; /* Contrast ratio of 4.5:1 or greater */
  padding: 0.75rem 1.5rem;
  border-radius: 0.25rem;
}

3. Understandable Information and Interface

Information and the operation of the user interface must be understandable. This means making text readable and understandable, making content appear and operate in predictable ways, and helping users avoid and correct mistakes.

// Form validation with clear error messages
function validateForm() {
  const emailInput = document.getElementById('email');
  const emailError = document.getElementById('email-error');
  
  if (!isValidEmail(emailInput.value)) {
    emailInput.setAttribute('aria-invalid', 'true');
    emailInput.setAttribute('aria-describedby', 'email-error');
    emailError.textContent = 'Please enter a valid email address, such as name@example.com';
    emailError.classList.remove('hidden');
    return false;
  }
  
  return true;
}

4. Robust Content

Content must be robust enough that it can be interpreted reliably by a wide variety of user agents, including assistive technologies. This means maximizing compatibility with current and future tools.

<!-- Using semantic HTML -->
<article>
  <header>
    <h1>Company Announces New Product Line</h1>
    <p>Published on <time datetime="2025-03-15">March 15, 2025</time></p>
  </header>
  
  <p>The company revealed its new product line today...</p>
  
  <section>
    <h2>Product Features</h2>
    <ul>
      <li>Enhanced performance</li>
      <li>Improved sustainability</li>
      <li>Advanced user interface</li>
    </ul>
  </section>
</article>

Practical Steps to Implement Accessibility

Start with Semantic HTML

The foundation of accessible web development is properly structured HTML. Semantic elements like <nav>, <main>, <article>, and <button> provide built-in accessibility features that are difficult to replicate with generic <div> elements.

Design with Sufficient Color Contrast

Ensure text has sufficient contrast against its background. The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) recommend a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text.

Provide Text Alternatives

All non-text content should have text alternatives that serve the equivalent purpose. This includes images, videos, audio, and other media.

Ensure Keyboard Accessibility

All interactive elements should be accessible via keyboard navigation. This means using proper focus states, logical tab order, and ensuring all functionality can be accessed without a mouse.

Test with Assistive Technologies

Regular testing with screen readers and other assistive technologies is essential. Tools like NVDA, VoiceOver, and JAWS can help identify issues that might not be apparent through visual inspection alone.

Case Study: Redesigning for Accessibility

Recently, we worked with a client to redesign their e-commerce platform with accessibility as a primary focus. The original site had several issues:

• Poor color contrast in product listings
• Form fields without proper labels
• Interactive elements that couldn’t be accessed via keyboard
• Complex navigation that was difficult for screen reader users

Our redesign process included:

1. Audit and Assessment: We conducted a thorough accessibility audit using both automated tools and manual testing.

2. Information Architecture Revision: We simplified the navigation structure and implemented proper ARIA landmarks.

3. Design System Updates: We created a design system with accessibility built in, including color contrast requirements, focus states, and text sizing guidelines.

4. Development with Accessibility in Mind: Our development team used semantic HTML, implemented keyboard navigation, and ensured all interactive elements were properly labeled.

5. Testing and Validation: We conducted regular testing throughout the development process, including sessions with users who rely on assistive technologies.

The results were significant:

• 35% increase in conversions from users with assistive technologies
• 18% overall reduction in cart abandonment
• Positive feedback from all user groups about the improved usability
• Full compliance with WCAG 2.1 AA standards

Conclusion

Accessibility is not a feature—it’s a quality that should be inherent in everything we build. By embracing accessible design principles, we create better experiences for everyone, regardless of their abilities or how they interact with digital content.

At Analog, we’re committed to creating digital experiences that are not just beautiful and functional, but truly inclusive. We believe that the web should be accessible to all, and we work every day to make that vision a reality.

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Interested in making your digital products more accessible? Contact us to learn how we can help you create inclusive experiences that reach a wider audience.