Accessibility in Design

Accessibility specs! Including keyboarding and screen reader details within a design spec has helped solidify that accessibility is part of the experience, rather than something we’ll add retroactively. Also, testing out features with product and engineering before they’re released helps ensure that quality and accessibility are shared responsibilities on the team.

It starts with understanding the users and approaching the process with an inclusive design mindset because the goal is to create the best experience for everyone. In addition to referring to accessibility guidelines, sharing designs with many different perspectives for feedback helps ensure we don’t limit our thinking to our own experiences.

It’s incredibly important to start thinking about inclusion and accessibility early on, as a part of the design discovery process. 

Orienting design directions around an inclusive understanding of peoples’ needs ensures the things we make don’t feel compromised or retrofitted by the time they ship – and most importantly, they can be appreciated and used by everyone.