Designers play a crucial role in making sure that digital content is accessible, inclusive, and user-friendly for individuals with diverse abilities. Accessibility standards aim to promote inclusive design practices and provide guidelines for the creation of digital content accessible to all individuals, regardless of their physical or cognitive abilities.

Here are some accessibility standards and guidelines that every designer should know:

1. Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)

WCAG is a set of accessibility guidelines developed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) that outlines best practices for creating accessible web content. The WCAG guidelines are organized into three levels of compliance: A, AA, and AAA, with AA being the recommended level for most websites.

WCAG provides designers with specific guidelines and success criteria for creating accessible content, including:

  • Perceivable: easy to see and hear.
  • Operable: easy to use and navigate.
  • Understandable: easy to understand the information and how to use the interface.
  • Robust: can be used with a wide range of assistive technologies.

Some of the WCAG success criteria include providing alt text for images, providing captions and transcripts for videos, using accessible color contrast, and providing easily identifiable links.

🌟 Tip: You can use automated accessibility testing tools like Axe or WAVE to check if your website meets the WCAG guidelines.

Illustration of a website with a checklist of WCAG guidelines

2. Accessible Rich Internet Applications (ARIA)

ARIA is a set of attributes that can be added to HTML elements to improve the accessibility of web content. ARIA allows designers to add additional semantics and context to web elements, making them more accessible to screen readers, keyboard users, and individuals with disabilities.

ARIA includes attributes for landmark navigation, form input validation, and live region updates, among others. Designers should use ARIA attributes in addition to standard HTML elements to enhance the accessibility of web content.

🌟 Tip: Use semantic HTML to provide the content structure and ARIA attributes to enhance the accessibility of web content.

Illustration of a web form with ARIA attributes for form validation

3. Plain Language

Plain language refers to writing that is clear, concise, and easy to understand. It is particularly important for individuals with cognitive or language barriers, including individuals with learning disabilities, non-native speakers, and older adults.

Designers should aim to use plain language in all digital content, including website copy, user interfaces, and instructional materials. Plain language enhances inclusivity and ensures that all users can understand the information provided.

🌟 Tip: Use tools like the Hemingway Editor or Grammarly to simplify your writing and make it more accessible to all users.

Illustration of a person using a computer and reading plain language text

4. Keyboard Accessibility

Keyboard accessibility refers to the ability to navigate and interact with digital content using a keyboard only. Keyboard accessibility is critical for individuals who are unable to use a mouse or other pointing device due to physical or motor impairments.

Designers should ensure that all website elements and functionality are accessible using only a keyboard. This includes providing visible focus indicators, ensuring that keyboard navigation is logical and intuitive, and avoiding the use of keyboard traps.

🌟 Tip: Use the tab key to navigate through different interactive elements on your website and ensure that each one is accessible using only a keyboard.

Illustration of a keyboard with a visible focus indicator on a web button

5. Assistive Technology Compatibility

Assistive technology compatibility refers to the ability of digital content to work with assistive technologies such as screen readers, magnifiers, and voice recognition software.

Designers should design websites that are compatible with popular assistive technologies and that follow best practices for accessible design. Accessibility features such as high contrast, accessible fonts, and easy-to-use navigation will improve compatibility with assistive technologies and enhance the usability of the website for all users.

🌟 Tip: Test your website using popular assistive technologies like NVDA, JAWS, or VoiceOver to ensure compatibility.

Illustration of a person using a screen reader with a computer

Overall, accessibility is an essential aspect of digital design, and designers need to be aware of accessibility standards and guidelines to create inclusive content. Designers can use tools, such as automated accessibility checkers and plain language editors, for better accessibility compliance.

Remember, embracing accessibility can help you reach a broader audience while making the web more inclusive and accessible to all users.

Illustration of a diverse group of people using different assistive technologies to access digital content