Designing Accessible Interfaces: A Practical Guide
Accessibility is often treated as an afterthought, but it should be fundamental to every design decision. Here's a practical guide to creating inclusive interfaces.
Why Accessibility Matters
Core Principles (POUR)
Perceivable
Content must be presentable in ways users can perceive:
Operable
Interface must be operable by all users:
Understandable
Content must be understandable:
Robust
Content must be robust for assistive technologies:
Practical Tips
Color and Contrast
/ Minimum contrast ratios /
/ Normal text: 4.5:1 /
/ Large text (18px+): 3:1 /
/ UI components: 3:1 /
.button {
background: #0047FF;
color: #FFFFFF; / Contrast: 8.5:1 ✓ /
}
Focus States
Always provide visible focus indicators:
.button:focus {
outline: 2px solid #0047FF;
outline-offset: 2px;
}
/ Never do this: /
.button:focus {
outline: none; / Breaks accessibility! /
}
Form Design
Testing for Accessibility
Tools we recommend:
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Conclusion
Accessibility isn't a feature—it's a quality of good design. By building inclusive interfaces, we create better experiences for everyone.
Need help making your product accessible? Get in touch.