The integration of accessibility into user experience (UX) design improves the experience for everyone. By designing with a focus on inclusivity, products and websites can cater to a broader range of needs and preferences, benefiting users of all abilities. When we consider the diverse ways people interact with technology earlier in the design and development process, we create experiences that are fundamentally easier and more enjoyable for everyone to use.
The principles of Universal Design begin with Equitable Use. Principle One states that a design should be usable by people of diverse abilities. It’s the foundation the rest of the philosophy is built on, and serves as a guide to evaluate the quality of a design. The more universal it is, the more effective it is at its goal.
As UX matured into a field all its own, designers and strategists found ways to improve their designs for users who may have been excluded. With the web being a traditionally visual medium, the industry began looking for ways to make it easier to navigate. What started as an optional enhancement, accessibility is now becoming an integral part of the process from the start.
“In an ideal world, accessibility and user experience would be fully integrated from the very beginning or planning phase of projects,” says Heather Maupin, a web UX specialist at Digital Wave (DW). “Rather than being added at the end of a project, accessibility considerations would help inform every decision we make.”
Making the web more accessible has the added benefit of making the web more accessible for everyone. Like the addition of captions to all videos, we now see many people opt in to captions whether they need it or not. It’s a choice preference.
“Accessibility benefits everyone, not just people with disabilities,” Heather says.
Designing for Accessibility from the Start
What does designing with accessibility in mind mean practically?
One of the big shifts that needs to happen is a change in mindset from the outset of the project. Including accessibility from the start is more than just additional testing, it’s rethinking the project goals.
“In addition to user testing with people who have disabilities, a shift towards recognizing that accessibility is a shared responsibility across the entire team and throughout the project lifecycle,” Says Heather. “This shared understanding and responsibility ensure that accessibility is deeply embedded in the project’s DNA, leading to more inclusive and effective outcomes.”
She continues that it’s a whole team effort. Project managers need to emphasize the importance of accessibility. Information architects and content authors need to construct the structure in a way that serves everyone. Designers extend that thinking in things like color choices, how interactive elements will work. Developers ensure all of the tools available are implemented and leveraged to uphold the standards put in place by the rest of the team.
“When every team member understands and owns their part of accessibility, it leads to a more holistic and inclusive approach,” says Heather. “It’s about fostering a culture where accessibility is a core value, ensuring that our products are not only compliant but also truly user-friendly and enjoyable for everyone.”
“The biggest missed opportunity I see is treating accessibility as an add-on or a phase at the end of the project. This approach often leads to incomplete or superficial solutions that don’t fully meet users’ needs,” says Heather.
A Journey, Not a Destination
Accessibility is an ongoing effort and requires attention after a project is done.
“I’d just like to emphasize that accessibility is a journey, not a destination,” Heather says. “It’s about continuous improvement and staying informed about the evolving needs of users. Keep learning, keep testing, and keep talking to your users.”
Heather adds, “And remember, making your products accessible isn’t just the right thing to do—it’s the smart thing to do, because inclusive design leads to better, more innovative experiences for everyone. Accessibility has the power to change lives for the better for all people.”
About TJ Gunther
TJ is a content strategist who has been at Digital Wave since 2012. He specializes in content process and provides Google Analytics consultation.
Posted on February 25, 2025 by TJ Gunther in Commentary
The integration of accessibility into user experience (UX) design improves the experience for everyone. By designing with a focus on inclusivity, products and websites can cater to a broader range of needs and preferences, benefiting users of all abilities. When we consider the diverse ways people interact with technology earlier in the design and development process, we create experiences that are fundamentally easier and more enjoyable for everyone to use.
The principles of Universal Design begin with Equitable Use. Principle One states that a design should be usable by people of diverse abilities. It’s the foundation the rest of the philosophy is built on, and serves as a guide to evaluate the quality of a design. The more universal it is, the more effective it is at its goal.
As UX matured into a field all its own, designers and strategists found ways to improve their designs for users who may have been excluded. With the web being a traditionally visual medium, the industry began looking for ways to make it easier to navigate. What started as an optional enhancement, accessibility is now becoming an integral part of the process from the start.
“In an ideal world, accessibility and user experience would be fully integrated from the very beginning or planning phase of projects,” says Heather Maupin, a web UX specialist at Digital Wave (DW). “Rather than being added at the end of a project, accessibility considerations would help inform every decision we make.”
Making the web more accessible has the added benefit of making the web more accessible for everyone. Like the addition of captions to all videos, we now see many people opt in to captions whether they need it or not. It’s a choice preference.
“Accessibility benefits everyone, not just people with disabilities,” Heather says.
Designing for Accessibility from the Start
What does designing with accessibility in mind mean practically?
One of the big shifts that needs to happen is a change in mindset from the outset of the project. Including accessibility from the start is more than just additional testing, it’s rethinking the project goals.
“In addition to user testing with people who have disabilities, a shift towards recognizing that accessibility is a shared responsibility across the entire team and throughout the project lifecycle,” Says Heather. “This shared understanding and responsibility ensure that accessibility is deeply embedded in the project’s DNA, leading to more inclusive and effective outcomes.”
She continues that it’s a whole team effort. Project managers need to emphasize the importance of accessibility. Information architects and content authors need to construct the structure in a way that serves everyone. Designers extend that thinking in things like color choices, how interactive elements will work. Developers ensure all of the tools available are implemented and leveraged to uphold the standards put in place by the rest of the team.
“When every team member understands and owns their part of accessibility, it leads to a more holistic and inclusive approach,” says Heather. “It’s about fostering a culture where accessibility is a core value, ensuring that our products are not only compliant but also truly user-friendly and enjoyable for everyone.”
“The biggest missed opportunity I see is treating accessibility as an add-on or a phase at the end of the project. This approach often leads to incomplete or superficial solutions that don’t fully meet users’ needs,” says Heather.
A Journey, Not a Destination
Accessibility is an ongoing effort and requires attention after a project is done.
“I’d just like to emphasize that accessibility is a journey, not a destination,” Heather says. “It’s about continuous improvement and staying informed about the evolving needs of users. Keep learning, keep testing, and keep talking to your users.”
Heather adds, “And remember, making your products accessible isn’t just the right thing to do—it’s the smart thing to do, because inclusive design leads to better, more innovative experiences for everyone. Accessibility has the power to change lives for the better for all people.”
Tagged With These Topics
About TJ Gunther
TJ is a content strategist who has been at Digital Wave since 2012. He specializes in content process and provides Google Analytics consultation.
Related Posts
Tailoring Courses to be More Inclusive and Relatable
Post by Krystal Werner
A learner-centric course is a paradigm shift where we think of our learners as active participants versus passive ones.
“Put Me In, Coach!”
Post by Lamar Goodenough
A successful web presence takes teamwork.