How do you make your UX design accessible?

A Human-Centered design process will uncover a whole hierarchy of user needs. Superior needs (such as pleasure and delight) can only be met after more foundational ones (such as functionality and usability) are fulfilled. People need: Functional tools first, then Reliable technology, Useful products, Usable systems, Convenient interactions, Delightful experiences, and Meaningful outcomes.

It's important to recognize how improved accessibility can lead to greater market reach, customer satisfaction, and ultimately, higher revenue for the business.

Making UX more accessible involves designing digital products and interfaces that cater to a diverse range of users, including those with disabilities. This can be achieved through practices like incorporating clear and concise content, intuitive navigation, and adaptable design elements. Prioritizing color contrast, providing alternative text for images, and ensuring keyboard navigability are essential for users with visual or motor impairments. Regular usability testing with diverse participants helps identify pain points and refine the user experience. By considering a variety of needs and abilities, UX becomes not only user-friendly but also inclusive, fostering a more equitable digital environment for everyone.

As Simon Sinek so eloquently introduced and made famous: Start with Why. Why are your users coming to your site or app, who specifically are they and what is the single most important outcome they will get from using your platform? Understanding their needs based on their specific goals and outcome requirements at the beginning of design will further ensure success on the other end.

In my design journey, ensuring accessibility starts with a deep understanding of users. Conducting user research, testing, and gathering feedback, especially from diverse groups, including those with disabilities, forms the foundation. Personally, I find personas and empathy maps instrumental in empathizing with users, unveiling their unique goals, challenges, and emotions. It's not just about meeting accessibility standards; it's about crafting an inclusive experience where every user, regardless of their abilities, feels heard, understood, and empowered by the design.

In my design practice, embracing accessibility guidelines is more than just a step; it's a commitment to inclusivity. Following standards like WCAG serves as a compass, ensuring that my designs provide a seamless experience for every user. Personally, I integrate tools like WAVE and the A11Y Project Checklist not as mere validators but as partners in enhancing accessibility. It's about going beyond checkboxes, acknowledging that accessibility is an ongoing journey of refinement and dedication to making digital spaces universally welcoming and usable.

Consider other forms of visual communication such as icons and emojis. Understanding the audience and how they visually communicate can add depth to your design and assist in making navigation and task completion easier and more intuitive. At the same time be careful not to rely too heavily on visual cues and avoiding using text, also always use alt text for images whenever possible for Accessibility and SEO optimization.

Weaving accessibility extends to the language we use. Employing clear and simple language isn't just a step, it's a commitment to dismantling communication barriers. Personally, I find the beauty of plain English lies in its universal embrace, making information not only easy to read but genuinely understandable. Steering clear of jargon and providing ample context through headings, lists, and visual elements ensures that the design speaks to every user. It's about creating a digital landscape where language becomes an ally, fostering inclusivity and a sense of belonging for all.

Don’t forget to ask for feedback, and when it is given thank them for it and acknowledge their help. You can even consider inviting users to join you for focus groups or live feedback sessions to capture their input beyond the scant few words or sentences and basic ratings you can gather from surveys. You can use any number of recently releases AI tools to transcribe interviews, summarize and analyze the content for trends and key takeaways.

In my design journey, testing and iteration are the heartbeat of accessibility. It's not merely a final step but a continuous loop of refinement driven by real user experiences. Personally, I find immense value in methods like usability testing and accessibility testing, where genuine user insights illuminate areas for improvement. Surveys, analytics, and the keen eye of accessibility experts further enrich this process, turning data and feedback into catalysts for positive change. It's about recognizing that the design journey doesn't conclude; it evolves with each iteration, ensuring that accessibility remains a dynamic and integral part of the user experience.

Invest the time to learn about the various accessibility tools on the most commonly used platforms. For example, iOS has VoiceOver and Android has TalkBack. Knowing how they work and trying them out helps you make better, more accessible design decisions.