Accessibility in Design

Master the four WCAG 2.1 principles (POUR), understand the AA compliance level requirement, and learn how accessibility guidelines translate into concrete design decisions.

Master WCAG contrast ratios, understand when each threshold applies, implement contrast-compliant color palettes, and automate contrast verification in design and CI pipelines.

Design and implement keyboard focus indicators that meet WCAG 2.2 requirements — visible, high-contrast, and consistently applied across all interactive elements without affecting visual design.

Design and implement keyboard navigation patterns that follow the ARIA Authoring Practices Guide — tab order, arrow key navigation, focus management, and skip links.

Understand how screen readers interpret your UI, when to use ARIA roles and properties, and how design decisions translate to screen reader announcements.

Design forms that everyone can complete — persistent visible labels, error descriptions in text, inline hints, and validation strategies that work for screen reader, keyboard, and cognitive accessibility.

Design accessible data tables with proper header associations, sort controls, and pagination, plus accessible alternatives for complex charts and data visualizations.

Design animations that respect user motion preferences — implementing prefers-reduced-motion, identifying vestibular-triggering animations, and providing functional alternatives.

Design mobile interfaces with adequate touch target sizes, proper spacing, and accessibility features for users with motor impairments — including WCAG 2.2 Target Size requirements.

Design error states and empty states that are perceivable, understandable, and actionable for all users — including those with cognitive disabilities, low vision, and screen readers.

Implement accessible modal dialogs and overlays — focus trapping, scroll locking, ARIA roles, keyboard dismissal, and return focus patterns that work with screen readers.

Design typography that is readable by users with dyslexia, low vision, and cognitive disabilities — appropriate reading level, line height, letter spacing, and zoom-responsive text.

Build a repeatable, designer-led accessibility audit workflow — automated tools, manual keyboard testing, screen reader evaluation, and a structured audit report with prioritized remediation.