Designers hold a unique responsibility to ensure their creations are not only aesthetically pleasing and functional but also accessible to everyone, including people with disabilities. By incorporating accessibility into designs from the get-go, we can create more inclusive digital experiences. Here are five must-know resources to help designers in their journey toward creating accessible designs:
1. Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)
- Website: Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) Overview
- Description: The WCAG is perhaps the most referenced set of guidelines for web accessibility. Provided by the W3C, these guidelines cover a wide range of recommendations to make web content more accessible to people with disabilities. It’s organized by four principles: perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust. Designers should be familiar with WCAG to ensure their work adheres to these standards.
2. Axe – Accessibility Testing
- Platform: Browser extension, available for Chrome and Firefox; also integrates with other dev tools.
- Website: Deque Systems – Axe
- Description: Axe is a popular accessibility testing tool that helps you spot and resolve potential issues in your designs and code. The browser extension is free and instantly provides feedback on accessibility violations, helping you ensure that your designs are in line with WCAG guidelines.
3. Stark – Design and Color Contrast Tool
- Platform: Plugins for Sketch, Figma, and Adobe XD.
- Website: Stark
- Description: Stark is a comprehensive suite of tools and resources that make design and compliance more integrated and more accessible. One of its most notable features is its color contrast checker, which ensures your color choices are accessible and compliant with established standards.
4. Inclusive Components
- Website: Inclusive Components
- Description: Authored by Heydon Pickering, this blog offers a more in-depth look at accessible and inclusive design patterns. Each post tackles a common web component, like dropdowns or modals, and discusses how to approach it from an inclusive design perspective. It’s a must-read for those looking to delve deep into the nuances of accessible design.
5. Visual Simulator
- Website: Loba Design Studio
- Description: At Loba Design Studio, we’re passionate about creating an inclusive internet experience for everyone. That’s why we’ve crafted this free tool – to guide fellow designers on the nuances of colorblindness and other visual challenges. It’s close to our hearts, and we truly believe that understanding leads to better design. Let this be your companion in shaping a more accessible digital world!
Incorporating accessibility from the initial stages of design ensures a more inclusive experience for all users. With these resources in your toolkit, you’re well on your way to designing with accessibility in mind. As the digital landscape continues to evolve, so too will the tools and best practices for accessibility. Stay informed, keep learning, and remember that every design choice can make the web a more inclusive space.
