As UX designers, it’s crucial to prioritize accessibility in all the products we create. That’s where the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) come into play. These guidelines provide a structured framework for ensuring that our products are designed with inclusivity in mind.

But where do we start when it comes to creating accessible products? Here are some UX design strategies that can help us meet WCAG guidelines and build products that are accessible to everyone.

Know your audience 👥

Understanding your users is the first step towards creating an accessible product. Consider their specific needs and abilities, such as visual impairments, hearing impairments, cognitive disabilities, or physical disabilities. By understanding your audience, you can create a design that accommodates their unique needs.

A group of diverse people sitting and standing together, representing the importance of creating designs for a wide range of users

Use descriptive labels 🏷️

Descriptive labels are essential in making your product accessible. They provide context to users who can’t see visuals, such as screen readers or those with color blindness. Ensure that your labels are clear and provide an accurate description of what users can expect.

A screenshot of a form with clear and descriptive labels

Provide alternative text for images 🖼️

Alternative text (or alt text) is crucial in making your images accessible to everyone. Alt text is a written description of the image that helps those with visual impairment to understand the context of the image. It’s essential to use descriptive text that accurately describes the image without being too long and confusing.

A screenshot of an image with alt text describing the image in detail

Use high-contrast color schemes 🎨

High-contrast color schemes make it easier for users with visual impairments to see your product’s content. Using colors with a high contrast ratio can also increase the visibility of specific visual elements. However, it’s also important to ensure that your colors are aesthetically pleasing and don’t put a strain on anyone’s eyes.

A screenshot of a website using a high-contrast color scheme with aesthetically pleasing colors

Create keyboard-accessible navigation 🐭

Not everyone can use a mouse or touchpad to navigate through your product. Creating keyboard-only navigation can make your product more accessible to those with physical disabilities. Ensure that all elements on your website are navigable through the keyboard and that users can get to their desired location with ease.

A screenshot of a website showing keyboard-accessible navigation with each button highlighted in green

Testing and iterating 🔄

Testing your product with users is essential in ensuring that it meets WCAG guidelines. Conduct user testing sessions with different user personas, including diverse audiences, to understand how each user interacts with your product. This will help you identify potential accessibility issues and find ways to solve them.

A screenshot of a UX designer testing a product with users, surrounded by post-it notes representing feedback and ideas to improve accessibility

By following these strategies, we can create products that everyone can use, regardless of their abilities. As UX designers, it’s our responsibility to ensure that we build products inclusively and contribute to a more accessible and equitable online world. 🌐💻

A colorful illustration of a diverse group of people using a laptop and mobile devices