Don’t Make This Mistake With Your Accessibility

It is often said that in software development, failing to plan is planning to fail. Perhaps nowhere is this more applicable than when it comes to digital accessibility. The most significant, and unfortunately, common mistake development teams make concerning digital accessibility is viewing it as an afterthought rather than a foundational element of the design and development process.

Accessibility — An Integral Part of Design

Digital accessibility is about making software usable by as many people as possible, regardless of their abilities or disabilities. It should be a key consideration from the very outset of any development project and not something to be retrofitted at later stages. When the development team regards accessibility as an add-on or secondary feature, they create potential roadblocks for users with disabilities that may be challenging, if not impossible, to fix without substantial modifications to the software’s design and functionality (Wentz et al., 2011)[1].

Consider, for instance, the consequences of developing a visually stunning website that relies heavily on color to convey information, only to realize that the site is virtually unusable by those with color blindness. Retrofitting the site for accessibility after the fact could require a complete overhaul of the site’s visual design, a time-consuming and potentially costly task (Lazar et al., 2007)[2].

The Inclusive Approach

The inclusive design suggests that we should start with accessibility as a core principle. By doing so, we not only cater to users with disabilities but also provide a better user experience for everyone (Law et al., 2004)[3].

An accessible design often means a cleaner, more intuitive interface that is easier for all users to navigate and interact with.

User Experience — A Shared Responsibility

Designing for accessibility is a responsibility that should be shared among all members of a project team. Designers, developers, content creators, and other stakeholders should all have a clear understanding of accessibility principles and how to implement them effectively (Yesilada et al., 2010)[4].

This collaboration allows the team to ensure that accessibility is integrated throughout the product’s life cycle, from initial concept and design to development, testing, and maintenance.

The Benefits of Proactive Accessibility

The benefits of this proactive approach to accessibility extend beyond the user. The development team can save time and resources by addressing accessibility issues early in the development process rather than having to retroactively fix problems later. Businesses can broaden their customer base and potentially increase their market share by making their products accessible to a larger audience (Vigo et al., 2013)[5].

Summing up

In a world dominated by technology, it is unacceptable that accessibility continues to be overlooked or added as an afterthought. From the outset of any project, accessibility should be part of the conversation and the development strategy. Not only is this approach ethically and legally correct, but it also makes good business sense. Accessible design helps avoid costly and time-consuming retrofits, broadens the potential user base, and contributes to a more inclusive digital environment.

Moreover, the task of making digital content accessible should not fall solely on the developer or the designer. It is a collaborative effort, where designers, developers, content creators, and other stakeholders need to work together to incorporate accessibility throughout the lifecycle of the product.

By acknowledging and avoiding this major misstep, we can begin to create digital experiences that are not just for some users, but for all. Let us remember that digital accessibility is not a destination but a journey that requires consistent effort and a firm commitment. An accessible future is a shared responsibility, and it’s time we all play our part in it.

References:

1. Wentz, B., Jaeger, P. T., & Lazar, J. (2011). Retrofitting accessibility: The legal inequality of after-the-fact online access for persons with disabilities in the United States. First Monday.
2. Lazar, J., Allen, A., Kleinman, J., & Malarkey, C. (2007). What frustrates screen reader users on the web: A study of 100 blind users. International Journal of Human-Computer Interaction.
3. Law, C. M., Jacko, J. A., & Edwards, P. J. (2004). Programmer-focused website accessibility evaluations. In Proceedings of the 6th international ACM SIGACCESS conference on Computers and Accessibility.
4. Yesilada, Y., Brajnik, G., Vigo, M., & Harper, S. (2015). Exploring perceptions of web accessibility: a survey approach. Behaviour & Information Technology, 34(2), 119–134.
5. igo, M., Brown, J., & Conway, V. (2013). Benchmarking web accessibility evaluation tools: Measuring the harm of sole reliance on automated tests. In Proceedings of the 10th International Cross-Disciplinary Conference on Web Accessibility.