Top Web Accessibility Resources
The universal nature of the web doesn't mean it's equally accessible to all individuals. Web accessibility is an essential principle that aims to remove barriers for everyone, including those with disabilities, so as many people as possible can navigate and interact with websites effectively. As a web designer, understanding the significance of web accessibility and keeping up to date with the latest accessibility standards is vital to creating websites that are welcoming to diverse audiences.
The significance of web accessibility
Web accessibility is more than a technical requirement—it's a reflection of a commitment to inclusivity and equal opportunities for all. By crafting websites that are more accessible, you can empower individuals with disabilities to engage with digital content, services, and opportunities without barriers.
Since the web is dynamic and characterized by constant technological advancements, accessibility standards must constantly evolve to keep pace with these changes. Staying informed about the latest accessibility standards is essential for maintaining the inclusivity of your designs. Accessibility isn't a mere checkbox—it's about making the digital world a more equitable place for everyone. The following are nine resources that can help you create more accessible designs.
Top resources to increase website accessibility
W3C’s Stories of Web Users
Before diving into practical tools and techniques, immerse yourself in the "Stories of Web Users" curated by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) to learn about the experiences of people with disabilities.
These stories are powerful accounts of how real people navigate the web. Understanding these experiences can offer you a perspective that can shape your design choices with empathy and authenticity.
Inclusive Design Principles
Created by leaders in the web and app design space, Inclusive Design Principles is a straightforward set of guidelines and practical advice about designing with accessibility in mind.
Inclusive design isn't only about adhering to a set of guidelines—it's about creating digital experiences that resonate with a diverse audience. This resource can help any designer get started.
Book picks
To delve deeper into the world of inclusive design, explore authoritative books written by design experts. These titles offer comprehensive insights into crafting digital experiences that prioritize accessibility, acting as a roadmap for navigating the intricacies of inclusive design:
"Mismatch" is a thought-provoking exploration of how designing for disability can lead to better design for everyone. Through captivating stories and real-world examples, Kat Holmes demonstrates how embracing inclusive design principles can lead to innovative solutions that benefit a broad spectrum of users.
"Inclusive Design Patterns" and "Inclusive Components" by Heydon Pickering
Heydon Pickering's "Inclusive Design Patterns" and "Inclusive Components" are invaluable resources that offer practical insights into designing accessible and usable interfaces. These books provide a collection of design patterns and components, each accompanied by explanations and techniques to ensure inclusivity across various devices and user abilities.
“Form Design Patterns" by Adam Silver
This book is a deep dive into the art of creating forms that are user-friendly and accessible. With a focus on enhancing usability and removing barriers, Silver provides guidance on designing forms that cater to all users, regardless of their abilities.
These books not only empower you to navigate the complexities of accessibility but also equip you with the knowledge needed to create digital experiences that are inclusive, intuitive, and user-centric.
Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)
The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) are the cornerstone of accessibility standards. They consist of a series of documents that provide guidelines, explanations, and success criteria to help web designers adhere to the norms and web standards for accessibility. They include background information and technical details as well as techniques to successfully meet the challenges of designing for accessibility.
Whether you're an independent designer or part of a team, adhering to WCAG (or to your company’s own set of accessibility standards) helps you align your work with globally recognized benchmarks. By weaving these guidelines into your design process, you're not just ensuring compliance—you're fostering a digital environment that's more accessible.
Accessibility plugins
Accessibility plugins are software tools specifically designed to assist designers in identifying and addressing accessibility issues in real-time. These tools integrate seamlessly into popular design software or your web browser to enhance your ability to create more accessible web content. They analyze your design elements, offer insights, and provide actionable recommendations to align your designs with established accessibility standards.
Tools like Stark plugin or Figma's accessibility annotation kit provide real-time feedback as you design. They highlight potential accessibility concerns, such as insufficient color contrast, missing alt text for images, or improperly structured headings. This immediate feedback empowers you to make informed decisions right in the design phase, reducing the likelihood of issues being overlooked until the later stages of development.
Although you can use plugins to continuously check for accessibility issues as you design, you should not rely on them as the sole source for flagging issues in your designs.
Accessible design systems
A design system acts as a repository of styles, components, and templates used by product teams and web designers to support the uniform and streamlined rollout of fresh web pages and functionalities. Accessible design systems streamline the process of creating cohesive user interfaces. A design system extends this efficiency by embedding accessibility considerations into its foundation.
Whether you choose to adopt an existing design system with established accessibility features or create your own, accessible components alone cannot ensure that every design you create is accessible. While they can give you a great starting point, it’s up to you to verify that the components and overall design is as inclusive as possible.
Squarespace help center
For those using Squarespace, the Squarespace Help Center serves as a resource hub for accessibility. It covers a wide range of accessibility topics, from incorporating inclusive design principles to creating accessible content and optimizing multimedia elements.
Explore the following help articles to learn more about designing for accessibility on Squarespace:
Circle blog
The Circle blog is a valuable surface for accessing web accessibility insights tailored to Squarespace designers. Check out articles such as "The Importance of Accessible Websites" and "How to Build a More Accessible Website" to gain insights from seasoned accessibility advocates. The Circle blog is meant to foster a sense of community among designers committed to driving positive change through accessible design.
Embracing imperfection and iteration
Striving for enhanced accessibility can take time, but remember that even small changes can be beneficial. Focus on continuous learning and improvement. Embrace user feedback, learn from accessibility principles, and iterate on your designs to create experiences that resonate with a diverse audience.
Web accessibility is an ongoing journey, not a destination. The pursuit of accessibility is a commitment to universal inclusion. Your dedication to understanding, learning, and integrating accessibility principles contributes greatly to your journey to publish accessible sites.
Want more?
Check out Squarespace Circle, Squarespace’s program for professional designers. Along with exclusive content, discounts, and other perks, Circle brings professionals together from all across the globe to exchange advice while connecting with new clients and collaborators.
