Accessibility = access + ability

Most people agree that creating inclusive, equitable experiences is always the right thing to do but many might not realize that accessibility is a legal requirement in over 140 countries around the world, according to the United Nations.

In the United States, legislation like the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 was created to provide a clear and comprehensive national mandate for the elimination of discrimination against individuals with disabilities, along with enforceable standards to address such discrimination For federal agencies, Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1972 requires agencies' electronic and information technology to be accessible to people with disabilities, including employees and members of the public. 

In Europe, the aim of the European Accessibility Act (EAA) is to improve the functioning of the internal market for accessible products and services in EU countries by removing barriers that divergent legislation might create. The Act provides a consistent definition and guidelines for creating accessible products. 

Some other prominent legislation globally includes the following:

• German Act on Equal Opportunities for Disabled Persons (aka BGG),  BITV
• United Kingdom Equality Act​
• Canadian Human Rights Act

You can review these regulations and more on the W3C's Web Accessibility Initiative  page on Planning and Policies Overview. 

Early on, most accessibility laws mainly focused on physical aspects of accessibility such as ramps, elevators, and braille signage in buildings. However, with the evolution of digital accessibility, the definition of accessibility greatly expanded. When websites or applications became the way to interact with businesses, consumers needed accommodations to have an equivalent virtual experience.  Just imagine banking, booking a trip, or shopping without a phone or other device today. 

When you create a new application or experience, think about your broadest audience. Without thinking about your audience, you can often create a design that inadvertently excludes a set of users. 

Before accessibility laws, many buildings had no entry access for wheelchairs. The design usually focused on the aesthetic of beautiful sweeping staircases without ever considering individuals who were unable to use them. After the laws went into effect, the only solution was to instantly add access in some way, sometimes with a separate entrance. This approach obviously changes the experience in terms of aesthetics and engagement for many people. The following figure shows a building with a staircase as the focal point of the lobby. The structure looks visually appealing but many people cannot access this type of entrance. 

When you incorporate accessibility in the design phase, however, you might discover an innovative solution that not only meets the compliance requirements but also facilitates access for many other individuals. Consider a building design that has a more inclusive entrance that provides an engaging experience for all, including those that require wheelchairs, infant strollers, or pushing carts. The following figure shows a solution of using an interior glass elevator so all can enjoy the view from the same high vantage point.

In a similar way, websites either embrace inclusive, accessible experiences, or incorporate the bare minimum for compliance purposes. 

Consider alternative text added to the following image. Which description do you think is more satisfying for an individual who cannot see the image? 

Option 1:  

Alternative text = "dog"

Option 2:  

Alternative text = "Smiling golden retriever dog in front of a birthday cake with the number ten on it."

Both provide some information, but one is much more engaging and provides a more equitable experience for those sighted and non-sighted.

An experience that excludes individuals with disabilities from participating in an equitable way introduces accessibility challenges. The best way to recognize these challenges is to engage with actual users when you create a design. You can address early feedback from the beginning of the development process. By taking the time to consider and include all individuals of varying abilities when you create an experience leads to more satisfied and productive users.

Inclusive design does not mean designing your product to meet the needs of the entire population, but rather having an appropriate response to address the diversity. 

Often designers generate and evaluate ideas based on their own personal likes and dislikes or on what they view as a standard in the industry. This view might address the needs of users that have a similar experience and view of how things operate, such as education level, Wi-Fi bandwidth, or technical knowledge. But does this view cover the diverse needs of all the potential users of the product? Probably not. 

Consider transparent glass doors in a shopping mall or workplace. Even an individual without a visual disability might walk into the door because the design is not obvious. The figure below demonstrates a typical transparent door.

Perhaps a contrasting frame or decoration to the door might help; however, some designers might not want to exchange the trendy, slick aesthetics for a more functional alternative. The challenge is to create an innovative solution that is trendy and functional.  

The product experience should consider the physical, cognitive, and emotional sides of its users. This approach is possible when you consider human diversity as a resource or path to innovation rather than an inconvenient responsibility. 

In the following images, select the hotspot (+) icons to discover examples of innovative design solutions that were created for disability but were embraced by a much broader audience.