By integrating universal design principles from the outset, such as adaptable interfaces and intuitive navigation, we ensure that the product is accessible to all. Engaging with diverse user groups during testing provides insights that no guideline or checklist can fully replicate. While compliance with standards like WCAG is essential, I believe true accessibility comes from understanding and empathizing with the varied ways people interact with technology.

Accessibility is an investment that’s going to always pay off because it exposes your product experience to everyone and anyone on the internet as long as they have need for it. From one of the talks at config24 “95% of home pages have accessibility errors and 41% of the internet is inhospitable wasteland for disabled people. In every product touch points in a product experience you design keep in mind: Sighted users must be able to read it Visually impaired users must be able to hear it using screen readers etc Motor impaired users must be able to easily set focus on the touch points with larger hit areas Everyone should be able to easily understand the product’s experience Accessibility is just user experience on a broader scale

The key is shifting from "designing for accessibility" to "accessible by design" In practice, this means: * Including accessibility experts in strategy sessions, not just implementation * Starting with inclusive user stories * Building accessibility into your principles, not just a checklist item ? Making diverse user testing non-negotiable, testing with diverse users throughout instead of just at the end ? Making accessibility metrics part of your definition of success