At SmartLogic, we love a good design challenge. Our goal is to build apps that aren’t just visually engaging but also truly usable and accessible. For me, this mission is personal.
My Grandma Marie struggles with vision loss from macular degeneration and cataracts, and today she’s more than 90% blind. Everyday tasks are difficult for her—from heating up food to adapting to new technology. Voice commands and screen navigation tools help her stay independent. But accessibility isn’t just about making things easier for people like my grandma; it’s about empowering everyone to thrive in an increasingly digital world.
Accessibility isn’t an afterthought or a checkbox—it’s the foundation of outstanding design, creating digital spaces that welcome and serve everyone equally.
Why Web Accessibility Matters
If the world is designed for you, it’s easy to miss the barriers faced by people with visual impairments. A 2020 GBD study estimates that 43.3 million people globally are blind. As our lives increasingly move online, web developers must ensure the digital world is accessible to everyone.
The best part? Designing with accessibility in mind isn’t just about meeting standards or addressing a specific group—inclusive design enhances everyone's experience. All users benefit from clear navigation, organized content, and intuitive interfaces.
The Ripple Effect of Accessible Design
Designing for accessibility often enhances the overall user experience. Here are a few examples:
- Video captions: Originally created for deaf or hard-of-hearing users, captions are now widely used in noisy environments and by non-native speakers.
- Voice controls: Developed for those with mobility impairments, voice-activated assistants like Siri and Alexa have become mainstream conveniences.
- High contrast modes: Crucial for users with visual impairments, high contrast settings are now popular for reducing eye strain, especially in low light.
- Keyboard navigation: Essential for those who can’t use a mouse, keyboard shortcuts are also productivity boosters for power users and developers.
By designing for diverse needs, we create features that benefit everyone. This is the essence of inclusive design.
The CARE Approach to Accessible UX Design
SmartLogic developers Anna Dorigo and Emma Whamond created the CARE framework to bridge the communication gap when introducing accessibility concepts to clients. CARE breaks down the accessibility elements to make it clear and actionable while emphasizing value.
When we introduce accessibility features to our clients, we use the CARE framework:
- Compliance: Meeting legal standards isn't just about avoiding lawsuits – it's about doing the right thing.
- Audience: An accessible site reaches a wider, more diverse user base. It's that simple.
- Responsibility: We believe the web should be for everyone. We want our designs to reflect that.
- Engagement: Accessible design often leads to higher satisfaction and loyalty across all user groups.
While legal compliance often gets immediate attention, we encourage our clients to see accessibility as a commitment to quality and inclusivity. Designing software that is truly accessible beyond the minimum requirements creates a more welcoming digital environment and future-proofs your app against evolving regulations.
Compliance: Beyond the Legal Bare Minimum
Legal compliance is a fundamental starting point. The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) are a strong foundation. Think of WCAG compliance as a baseline, not an upper limit.
Meeting these standards has broad, long-term advantages:
- Federal Funding: For local, state, and federal government websites, accessibility is often directly tied to funding. Non-compliance can jeopardize crucial financial support.
- Business Opportunities: Many organizations, especially in the public sector, require vendors and partners to meet specific accessibility standards. Compliance can open doors to new business prospects.
- Legal Protection: The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) considers websites and web apps as places of public accommodation. Non-compliance is viewed as discrimination based on disability, which can lead to costly lawsuits.
- Cost-Effective Prevention: Investing in accessibility testing and fixes is significantly more economical than facing potential legal action. It's a prime example of the adage, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."
Audience: Expanding Your Reach with Inclusive Design
We’ve established the benefits of inclusive design: web accessibility broadens your audience and extends your market reach. Designing for accessibility makes applications usable for people of differing abilities, ages, and tech skills.
Accessible design also meets the needs of older users who may experience age-related changes in vision, hearing, or motor skills. Simplified navigation creates a seamless experience for all users, regardless of tech proficiency.
Accessibility features are universally beneficial and enhance performance across devices and browsers. Creating accessible software isn’t only the right thing to do—it’s also a strategic way to grow your reach.
With the CARE framework, you’re building a digital space that’s more inclusive, more user-friendly, and ultimately, more successful.
Responsibility: Building a Web for Everyone
Prioritizing accessibility means actively contributing to a more inclusive digital world, making essential services—education, retail, finance, healthcare—accessible to everyone, regardless of ability. This commitment goes beyond functionality; it’s about respecting human dignity and enabling equal participation in the digital age.
Tim Berners-Lee, the inventor of the internet, envisioned it as a universal platform. Designing with accessibility in mind honors that vision, affirming that digital access is a fundamental right, not a privilege. As web developers, it’s our responsibility to foster digital equality and support our clients in doing the same.
Engagement: The Business Case for Accessibility
A 2023 SEMrush study analyzing 847 websites found a link between accessibility improvements and increased site traffic. Since Google’s algorithm factors usability into SERP (search engine results page) rankings, accessible design can directly boost visibility and reach.
While "Audience" focuses on reach, "Engagement" emphasizes user experience quality. Accessible design offers more comfortable customer navigation and encourages deeper interactions, brand loyalty, repeat customers, and positive word-of-mouth.
Practical Tips for Accessible Design
Use the CARE framework with these key accessibility considerations:
- Contrast: Ensure text and interactive elements stand out (aim for a 4.5:1 contrast ratio).
- Flexible Layouts: Design responsively, testing at 200% zoom for usability.
- Clear Labels: Use descriptive text, e.g., "Download accessibility checklist" instead of "Click here."
- Keyboard Navigation: Maintain logical tab order and visible focus states.
- Beyond Color: Add icons or patterns for clarity.
- White Space: Improve readability with spacious layouts.
- Error Messaging: Offer clear, actionable feedback.
- Alt Text for Images: Describe images concisely for screen readers.
- Heading Structure: Use logical HTML headings (H1, H2).
- Responsive Design: Ensure accessibility across devices and screen sizes.
Tools of the Trade
We're big fans of the WAVE (Web Accessibility Evaluation Tool) for quick accessibility checks. It provides a visual representation of accessibility issues and makes it easy to identify and fix problems.
Other favorites in our toolbox include:
- Silktide Extension: Simulate different types of vision impairments and test with a built-in screen reader.
- Web Developer Chrome Extension: Check various accessibility aspects, from disabling styles to outlining heading structures.
- Ax DevTools: Automated accessibility testing tool that integrates directly into your browser's developer tools.
- Nu HTML Checker: While not strictly an accessibility tool, clean, valid HTML is the foundation of an accessible website.
- Color Contrast Analyzer: Check color contrast ratios to ensure readability.
These tools are helpful, but they can't replace manual testing and user feedback. We always combine automated checks with real-world testing for the best results.
The Blindfold Challenge
Want to experience the importance of accessibility firsthand? Try to navigate a complex site like Amazon using only a screen reader and keyboard.
Here’s a challenge we give to our team and clients:
- Turn on your computer's screen reader (VoiceOver for Mac, Narrator for Windows).
- With eyes closed, go to Amazon.com.
- Try adding a white t-shirt, white pants, and white shoes to your cart using only keyboard controls.
This exercise reveals unexpected hurdles and fosters empathy for users who rely on assistive technologies.
Balancing Accessibility, Design, and Development Goals
At SmartLogic, we understand the challenge of balancing accessibility with cost, aesthetics, and timelines. Our approach builds a strong accessibility foundation and allows for iterative improvements based on usability testing.
We set clear, achievable goals for each project, often targeting WCAG 2.1 AA compliance. Core functionality and essential content are accessible from the start, and usability testing with users with disabilities provides valuable insights.
By emphasizing gradual improvements, thorough documentation, and ongoing team training, accessibility remains central to our process. Each iteration brings us closer to a fully inclusive experience for all users.
The Future of Web Accessibility
At SmartLogic, we’re committed to making accessibility an integral part of every project. Our approach includes:
- Using tools like WAVE to catch accessibility issues early in development
- Setting clear expectations on accessibility from project discovery
- Incorporating accessibility in estimation templates for accurate budgeting
- Staying current with the latest accessibility standards and best practices
As Tim Berners-Lee said, “The power of the web is in its universality.”
We aim to build apps everyone can enjoy.
Ready to make your next project more accessible? Let's chat!
