Photo by Ben Kolde on Unsplash

Designing for accessibility and inclusive user experience is not only a necessary step towards creating an inclusive society, but it is also a smart business strategy. By designing products and services that are accessible to everyone, businesses can increase their user base and reach a wider audience. We are starting to see so many updates to accessibility in user experience design, and I see it as a huge positive for us. One example that comes to mind is short-form video platforms and the use of text-to-voice capabilities, and AI translation. Short-form video platforms, and social media in general, have brought about a culture with extremely short attention spans. The captioning helps a lot with accessibility to keep users engaged in the content. This can be concerning, if they are not consuming appropriate content, but as long as they are, it can be a huge help.

In addition, designing for accessibility can also improve the overall user experience for everyone. For example, designing a website that is easy to navigate using keyboard shortcuts can benefit not only users with disabilities, but also users who prefer to use the keyboard rather than the mouse. I have personally even found keyboard shortcuts to be extremely helpful in finding new ways to use tools that you already use. As an experience designer, I spend most of my days in Figma, and the ability to use keyboard shortcuts introduces me to quicker ways to design than I would have ever been able to experience without those abilities. I also just learned about so many new tools in Gmail, through first discovering their keyboard shortcuts.

Designing for accessibility also involves creating an environment that is welcoming and user-friendly for everyone. This includes using clear and concise language, providing easy-to-read fonts and colors, and ensuring that content is organized in a logical and intuitive way.

Moreover, designing for accessibility and inclusive user experience is not just a one-time task. It is an ongoing process that requires continuous testing and evaluation. This means that designers must constantly review and improve their products and services to ensure that they remain accessible and inclusive to all. It provides a space for constant iterations and improvements, ensuring that the final project is never final, but can always be improved upon to make it more inclusive.

In conclusion, designing for accessibility and inclusive user experience is a crucial step towards creating a more equitable and inclusive society. It not only benefits people with disabilities, but also improves the overall user experience for everyone. By designing products and services that are accessible to everyone, businesses can increase their user base and reach a wider audience. It is important for designers and developers to take a proactive approach to product design and ensure that their products and services are accessible to all individuals, regardless of their abilities or disabilities.