Accessibility at UX design: A guide to inclusive digital experiences

About 15% of the global population live with some form of disability, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). And with10% of the global population, over the age of 65, that’s over 2.071 billion people who benefit from more accessible and user-friendly digital experiences.

When we build digital properties, it’s crucial to consider accessibility — not just as a way to demonstrate inclusion but also as a key business strategy and strengthen brand reputation.

We want every user, regardless of ability, age, or other factors, to fully experience and engage with our products.

Understanding the user journey

Every user interacts with a website uniquely. Whether they have a disability, are older, or use different devices, many factors shape their experience. Accessibility is mainly thought of in terms of disability, but it can also include the broader idea of how users navigate and interact with digital products. Good accessibility practices improve the user journey for everyone, not just those with specific needs.

As UX designers, we focus on crafting the best possible user journey and experience. However, ensuring accessibility is part of the design process can be a challenge. If you’ve ever struggled to balance aesthetics with functionality and inclusivity, you know what I’m talking about.  

But the payoff — creating a truly inclusive experience — is worth it.Test contrast : Use tools like to ensure you're meeting accessibility standards.

Navigate legal compliance with confidence

Ensuring compliance with accessibility laws and regulations protects your business from legal challenges, costly disputes and potential penalties.

In the U.S., accessibility regulations are guided by the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) and Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act. 

WCAG provides a globally recognized framework for making digital content accessible to individuals with disabilities, ensuring websites, apps and digital tools are perceivable, operable, understandable and robust. 

Section 508, a federal mandate, specifically requires that government agencies and organizations receiving federal funding make their electronic and information technology accessible to people with disabilities. 

In Canada, for example, the Canadian Human Rights Act and related accessibility laws, such as the Accessible Canada Act (ACA), uphold similar principles by requiring organizations to eliminate barriers that prevent individuals with disabilities from fully participating in society, including access to digital content and services. Compliance with these regulations is crucial for fostering inclusivity and avoiding legal risks.

Designing with accessibility in mind

Here are some key areas to focus on when making your digital products accessible to a wider audience:

1. Readable typography

• Use larger font sizes : Aim for 16px or larger as a baseline andƒ ensure that text can be resized up to 200% without breaking the layout.

• Clear, legible fonts : Avoid overly decorative fonts, as they may be difficult for some people to read.

• Sufficient line spacing : A line height of 1.5x the font size is recommended for better readability.

2. Sufficient color contrast

• Ensure high contrast : Contrast ratios should meet at least 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text to aid users with visual impairments.

• Don’t rely on color alone : Use icons, patterns or labels to reinforce the meaning of content.

3. Support for visual impairments

• Scalable interfaces : Ensure users can zoom in without losing functionality, especially for users with poor vision.

• Screen reader-friendly design : Use proper HTML tags (like <h1> for headings) and provide descriptive alt text for images and other non-text content.

• Consider dark themes : Offer high-contrast or dark themes to help users with low vision or sensitivity to bright light.

4. Keyboard accessibility

• Keyboard-only navigation : Ensure users can navigate your site using only a keyboard (e.g., tabbing through menus and forms).

• Visible focus indicators : Highlight the active element (e.g., a border or color change) so users can easily track their place or progression on the page.

5. Accessible forms

• Clear labels : Ensure all form fields are clearly labeled with visible, descriptive text.

• Error messages : Provide helpful error messages and ensure they’re easy to identify.

• Large clickable areas : Make buttons and checkboxes easy to interact with, particularly for users with motor impairments.

6. Audio and video alternatives

• Closed captions and transcripts : Provide closed captions for videos and transcripts for audio content to assist users with hearing impairments.

• Control over multimedia : Ensure that video players include pause, play and volume controls.

7. Simplify navigation

• Intuitive menus : Organize menus logically and include breadcrumb trails for users to easily understand where they are within your site.

• Fewer clicks to key content : Avoid deep, complex menus. Ensure that important pages are no more than 2–3 clicks away.

• Search functionality : Include a search bar with predictive text to help users find content quickly.

8. Consider mobility impairments

• Spacing for clickable elements : To prevent accidental clicks, provide ample spacing between buttons, links and other interactive elements.

• Accessible touch targets : To ensure ease of interaction, avoid small or tightly packed touch targets, especially on mobile devices.

• Gesture alternatives: To accommodate users with mobility impairments, enable button alternatives for touch gestures (e.g., swiping).

9. Cognitive accessibility

• Plain, simple language : Use straightforward language that’s easy for all users to understand. Avoid jargon or complex terminology.

• Break up content: Use clear headings, bullet points and short paragraphs to break up long text sections.

• Visual cues : Include icons, illustrations, or diagrams to support textual content and help users with cognitive disabilities better process information.

10. Support for hearing impairments

• Text alternatives for audio : Provide text descriptions for sounds or alerts and video subtitles to ensure hearing-impaired users can access key content.

• Avoid relying solely on sound : Audio should not be the only method of conveying important information. Visual cues should always accompany it.

11. Mobile-friendly design

• Responsive design : Ensure your site adjusts seamlessly to different screen sizes, especially on mobile.

• Touch-friendly design : Design for touch gestures while maintaining functionality across all devices.

• Readable text on small screens : Ensure that text is large enough to read without zooming and that clickable elements are easy to interact with.

12. Age-related design considerations

• Vision changes : As users age, they may experience conditions like cataracts or glaucoma, which can affect vision. Ensure text and images are clear and easy to read.

• Reduced hearing : Older users may have difficulty hearing audio. Subtitles and transcripts should be standard practice.

• Slower processing : Simplify navigation and instructions for older users, taking into account potential slower processing speeds.

• Declining motor skills : Ensure buttons, links and other interactive elements are easy to use and have forgiving designs that don’t require precise movements.

13. Test with real users

• Include diverse participants : Testing with individuals with disabilities and older adults is crucial. They can help identify barriers and provide valuable feedback for improving the experience.

The social impact of accessibility

Building accessible digital products isn't just about compliance or business goals; it's about creating an inclusive environment for everyone, regardless of ability. Many users face challenges that aren't immediately visible, such as cognitive impairments or age-related conditions, which may impact how they interact with technology. 

By designing with accessibility in mind, we can help bridge the digital divide and ensure everyone can participate fully in today’s digital world.

Accessibility is for everyone

When we talk about accessibility in design, it’s essential to focus not only on the technical aspects, like visual impairments and keyboard navigation but also on the social context. 

Accessibility helps us reach a broader, more diverse audience, improving the experience for people from all walks of life. 

By implementing these best practices and testing with real users, we can create digital products that truly accommodate everyone — because good design is inclusive design–and just good business.