How to Design for Accessibility and Inclusivity

Designing Experiences Everyone Can Use

Creating inclusive digital experiences isn’t just good practice—it’s essential. Accessible design ensures that people of all abilities can interact with your product or website effectively. Whether it’s someone with visual impairments, mobility challenges, or cognitive differences, your design must speak to everyone. The goal is not just usability for some, but for all. As businesses expand their digital presence, inclusivity becomes a marker of empathy and professionalism. Ignoring accessibility means potentially excluding millions of users and customers. So how can we design with both accessibility and inclusivity in mind?

Understanding Accessibility vs. Inclusivity

Although often used interchangeably, accessibility and inclusivity serve different purposes in design. Accessibility refers to the technical aspects that allow people with disabilities to access content—like screen readers or keyboard navigation. Inclusivity, meanwhile, is the broader practice of ensuring a welcoming experience for users of all backgrounds, identities, and abilities. A good design should not only function well for users with impairments but also resonate with diverse audiences. For example, using gender-neutral language or culturally sensitive visuals adds layers of inclusivity. Recognizing this distinction helps teams approach design challenges with more empathy and clarity. Inclusive design starts with accessibility but doesn’t end there.

Start with Semantic HTML and ARIA

Semantic HTML is the foundation of accessible web design. Tags like <nav>, <header>, and <button> provide meaning to assistive technologies like screen readers. When used properly, they enable a logical reading order and better navigation. Complement these with ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) attributes, especially for dynamic content. However, ARIA should enhance, not replace, semantic HTML. Developers should always test their components with screen readers to ensure clarity. For instance, marking form fields with aria-labelledby ensures users know what each field is for. This attention to detail significantly elevates user experience for people with disabilities.

Design for Visual and Cognitive Diversity

Visual accessibility goes beyond color contrast. It involves font readability, spacing, and minimizing visual noise. Use high-contrast color schemes and avoid relying solely on color to convey meaning. For users with cognitive disabilities, simplify layouts and use consistent navigation patterns. Break information into digestible chunks and use icons with labels. Avoid jargon and provide clear calls-to-action. Always test your design with real users or accessibility tools like WAVE or Axe. Making your design visually and cognitively inclusive ensures it's usable by a broader spectrum of users, including elderly customers and those with ADHD or dyslexia.

Use Inclusive Language and Imagery

Language and visuals are powerful tools that shape user perception. Use gender-neutral terms such as “they/them” when the gender is not specified. Avoid idioms or culture-specific phrases that may confuse non-native speakers. Represent diverse communities in your imagery—different races, body types, ages, and abilities. Tools like the AllSides Media Bias Chart or Conscious Style Guide can help refine your messaging. Even your alt text should be inclusive and descriptive. By choosing inclusive language and images, you create a digital environment where everyone feels seen and respected. This builds trust and long-term user engagement.

Implement Keyboard Navigation

Keyboard navigation is a cornerstone of digital accessibility. Many users rely on keyboards or alternative input devices to interact with websites. Ensure all interactive elements—buttons, links, modals—are reachable and usable via the keyboard. Use tabindex attributes to adjust focus order logically. Highlight focused elements visually to provide feedback. Also, avoid traps where users cannot exit a modal or dropdown using the keyboard. Test your site by navigating with just the Tab, Shift+Tab, and Enter keys. A fully keyboard-navigable site increases usability for users with motor disabilities and improves overall UX.

Test with Real Users and Assistive Tech

Real-world testing is critical for validating accessibility. No matter how many tools you use, nothing beats feedback from people who navigate the web differently. Partner with users who use screen readers, voice recognition software, or other assistive technologies. Observe how they interact with your design—where they struggle, what works well. Use testing platforms like Fable or UserZoom for structured accessibility testing. Ensure compatibility with tools like NVDA, JAWS, and VoiceOver. These insights can uncover blind spots and guide more empathetic design decisions. Accessibility must be validated in practice, not just assumed in theory.

Build Accessibility into Your Workflow

Accessibility shouldn't be an afterthought; it should be embedded into every stage of your design process. Define accessibility goals in your design briefs. Use components and design systems that are WCAG-compliant. Train your team regularly on inclusive practices and tools. Conduct accessibility checks during design reviews and code audits. Make it a part of your definition of done. Accessibility is a shared responsibility across design, development, and QA. By integrating it into your workflow, you ensure your product is inclusive from day one—not retrofitted after the fact.

Legal and Ethical Considerations

Neglecting accessibility can have legal consequences. Laws like the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the European Accessibility Act mandate digital accessibility. Failing to comply can result in lawsuits and damage to your brand reputation. But beyond legality, it’s an ethical obligation. Designing inclusively demonstrates respect for all users and reflects your organization’s values. Ethical design fosters loyalty and trust. As digital spaces become central to our lives, ensuring equal access is no longer optional—it’s a societal expectation. Responsible businesses understand that inclusive design is good design.

Conclusion

Designing for accessibility and inclusivity is more than a checklist—it’s a mindset. By embracing inclusive principles from the start, you ensure your digital products are welcoming, functional, and equitable for all users. From semantic HTML and keyboard navigation to inclusive language and real-user testing, every detail counts. These practices not only open your site to broader audiences but also demonstrate empathy and professionalism. When you design for the margins, everyone benefits—including your business. Inclusive design improves usability, enhances SEO, and builds brand loyalty across diverse user groups.

Innovation doesn’t come from designing for the average; it comes from designing for diversity. By embedding accessibility into your workflows and embracing inclusivity in every visual and verbal choice, you create more human-centered experiences. Remember, accessibility is not a one-time fix, but an ongoing commitment. Keep learning, testing, and evolving. In doing so, you not only meet legal standards—you exceed user expectations. Let your design be a statement of your values and a bridge that connects, includes, and uplifts every user who interacts with your product.