Accessibility in user experience (UX) design is more critical than ever. Digital platforms must be accessible so that everyone, regardless of ability, can navigate and interact with them effectively. And digital accessibility is more than a best practice for inclusion—for many organizations, it’s a legal requirement. Countries worldwide have implemented laws mandating digital accessibility, often referencing the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) as the technical compliance standard.
Most common WCAG violations can be addressed when experiences are still in the design phase. That means design teams play an integral role in an organization’s digital accessibility efforts. This guide highlights essential accessibility tips, aligned with WCAG, for designers to ensure digital experiences are usable by all.
When users tab through your website’s interactive elements—links, buttons, and form fields, for example—they should be able to do so in a Users relying on keyboard navigation must be able to access interactive elements in a logical sequence. WCAG emphasizes the importance of keyboard accessibility in providing a usable experience for all visitors.
Best practices
- Maintain a meaningful focus order: The tab order should follow a natural flow, aligning with the visual presentation of the page.
- Use tabindex thoughtfully: Avoid modifying focus order arbitrarily, as it can create confusion for users.
- Test keyboard navigation regularly: Try navigating your site using only a keyboard to verify whether it is accessible.
2. Provide clear and descriptive form labels
OnlineForms are essential for user interaction, and well-designed labels ensure users can complete them accurately and efficiently. WCAG includes several success criteria that help designers and developers improve form accessibility.
Best practices
- Use explicit labels: Every form field must have a clear, visible label associated with it using for and id attributes.
- Avoid placeholder-only instructions: Placeholders disappear upon typing, making it harder for users to recall expected inputs.
- Ensure accessible error messaging: Provide clear, specific feedback on errors, ideally in text close to the related field.
3. Prevent unexpected changes on focus
Unexpected content changes when elements receive focus can disorient users, especially those with cognitive or visual disabilities. By preventing unexpected changes, you can help users take the correct actions at the right stage of the sales or subscription process.
Best practices
- Do not auto-trigger actions on focus: Ensure that receiving focus alone does not send the user to another page, submit a form, or perform other significant changes.
- Warn users before opening new windows: Use aria-labels or text cues to inform users when clicking a link will open a new window or tab.
- Allow user control over dynamic content: Ensure content updates (e.g., live regions, pop-ups) provide alerts or can be paused.
When it comes to website navigation, consistency and predictability are critical. Users should be familiar with the search bar location, and links that go to the same destinations across different web pages should maintain a consistent design and location. People with disabilities navigate websites in many different ways. To make your site accessible, you need to offer users more than one way to find what they’re looking for. Some users prefer to use the search function, others prefer a drop-down navigation menu, and still others prefer a glossary or site map.
Best practices
- Do not auto-trigger actions on focus: Ensure that receiving focus alone does not send the user to another page, submit a form, or perform other significant changes.
- Warn users before opening new windows: Use aria-labels or text cues to inform users when clicking a link will open a new window or tab.
- Allow user control over dynamic content: Ensure content updates (e.g., live regions, pop-ups) provide alerts or can be paused.
Providing a predictable and flexible navigation experience improves usability for all visitors, especially those using screen readers or keyboard navigation.
Best practices
- Keep navigation elements consistent: Maintain uniformity across all pages to avoid confusion.
- Implement skip links: Provide a “Skip to Main Content” link at the top of the page for easy access to primary content.
- Offer multiple navigation methods: Include search functionality, sitemaps, and structured headings as alternative ways to explore content.
5. Provide user control over interactive elements
Users should be able to manage how they interact with multimedia and interactive features on your site. Enabling user control over these elements allows visitors to customize their experience and improves their chances of conversion.
Best practices
- Control audio playback: Avoid auto-playing audio; if necessary, provide accessible controls to pause, stop, or adjust volume.
- Offer alternative interaction methods: Gestures requiring complex actions, such as the use of multiple fingers, should have simpler alternatives like single-tap buttons.
- Adjust time limits: If time-sensitive actions exist, offer options to extend or disable timeouts.
Digital accessibility and UX: Two sides of the same coin
By adhering to the accessibility best practices we’ve just described, designers can create digital experiences that meet the needs of all users. Prioritizing accessibility not only improves usability for all but also aligns with WCAG standards, helping organizations comply with legal requirements.
FAQs
What is logical tab order?
Logical tab order refers to the practice of ensuring that interactive elements can be accessed in a logical sequence using the keyboard.
Why are clear labels essential in forms?
Clear labels help users understand required inputs, improving form completion rates and reducing errors.
How can I test my website’s accessibility?
You can start testing your website’s accessibility using free automated scanning tools, like WAVE. For comprehensive and actionable results, it’s best to engage an accessibility professional.
What should I do if focusing on an element changes it?
Review the behavior of the element and ensure that changes occur only upon user action (such as a click or double tap), not simply by focusing on an element.
Why is consistent navigation important?
Predictable navigation helps users efficiently find content and reduces cognitive load, enhancing the overall user experience.
