Accessibility in Product Design: Creating Inclusive Digital Products

As any experienced UX designer can tell you, accessible design is good design. Ensuring digital products are widely usable by people of all abilities not only expands the potential user base but also reflects a commitment to inclusivity, compliance, and best practices in digital product design.

At DOOR3, we believe accessibility is an integral part of the design process, not an afterthought. In this blog post, we will explore why accessibility matters in product development, best practices for ensuring inclusive design, and the business advantages of prioritizing accessibility in digital products.

What is Accessibility in Product Design?

Accessibility in product design refers to creating digital products that are usable by people with a range of abilities, including those with visual, auditory, cognitive, and motor impairments. This involves implementing design and development strategies that accommodate assistive technologies, alternative input methods, and clear, intuitive user interfaces.

Key accessibility considerations include:

• Keyboard navigation: Ensuring users who rely on keyboards instead of a mouse can fully interact with a digital product.
• Color contrast and readability: Designing interfaces that are visually clear and easy to read for those with visual impairments.
• Screen reader compatibility: Providing semantic HTML and ARIA roles to support users who depend on screen readers.
• Cognitive accessibility: Simplifying content and interfaces to support users with cognitive disabilities.

The Business Case for Accessibility

Beyond ethical considerations, accessibility has a direct impact on business outcomes. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), over one billion people—15% of the global population—experience some form of disability. Ignoring accessibility in digital product design means alienating a significant portion of potential users.

Expanding Market Reach

Designing accessible products increases the number of potential users who can engage with a product. In the U.S. alone, 26% of adults live with a disability, and many rely on assistive technology to navigate the web. By prioritizing accessibility, businesses can tap into a larger user base and improve customer engagement.

Compliance and Legal Considerations

Many countries have strict regulations requiring digital accessibility. In the U.S., the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 508 mandate that digital services be accessible to all users. Non-compliance can result in lawsuits and financial penalties. Implementing accessibility best practices in product development helps businesses stay compliant and avoid legal risks.

Improved User Experience for Everyone

Accessible design benefits all users, not just those with disabilities. For example, captions help not only deaf users but also those watching videos in noisy environments. Similarly, clear navigation and readable text improve usability for everyone. When accessibility is built into the design process, the result is a more user-friendly experience overall.

Accessibility Best Practices in Product Development

Product designers and UX teams can take several steps to ensure digital products meet accessibility standards. Below are key best practices to follow:

Follow WCAG Guidelines

The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) provide a comprehensive framework for accessible design. These guidelines focus on four key principles:

• Perceivable: Information and user interface elements must be presented in ways users can perceive (e.g., text alternatives for images).
• Operable: Users must be able to navigate and interact with the product using different input methods.
• Understandable: Information and UI components must be clear and intuitive.
• Robust: Content must be compatible with assistive technologies and evolving standards.

Implement Keyboard and Screen Reader Support

Not all users navigate digital products using a mouse. Ensuring that all interactive elements are operable via keyboard shortcuts and properly labeled for screen readers improves usability for those with motor or visual impairments.

Design with Sufficient Color Contrast

Low contrast between text and background can make content difficult to read for users with low vision or color blindness. WCAG recommends a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 for standard text to ensure readability.

Provide Alternative Text for Non-Text Content

Images, videos, and other multimedia elements should include descriptive alt text so that users relying on screen readers can understand the content. Additionally, captions and transcripts should be provided for audio and video content.

Keep Interfaces Simple and Intuitive

Users with cognitive disabilities benefit from clear, consistent design patterns and simple navigation structures. Avoiding unnecessary complexity enhances usability for all users.

Accessibility in Action: Achievement Network Case Study

A prime example of DOOR3’s accessibility-driven product design is our work with Achievement Network (ANet), an education nonprofit that helps underserved schools use data to improve student outcomes. Our challenge was to create a new user interface that modernized ANet’s “Performance Tab,” a crucial section where teachers and school leaders analyze student data.

Given the short five-week timeline, our UX team rapidly assessed user needs and implemented a streamlined, user-friendly interface. We enhanced accessibility by improving data visualization, optimizing contrast ratios, and ensuring keyboard navigation compatibility. The final design reduced cognitive load for educators, making it easier for them to access critical student performance insights.

Additionally, DOOR3 expanded ANet’s design system using PrimeNG, an Angular UI component library. This approach bridged old and new designs while ensuring long-term accessibility and scalability. The outcome was an award-winning product that improved user experience and accessibility while laying the groundwork for future enhancements.

Conclusion: Making Accessibility a Standard in Digital Product Design

Accessibility should not be seen as an extra feature—it is a fundamental part of creating high-quality digital products. Product designers and UX teams have a responsibility to ensure that their designs serve all users, regardless of ability. By prioritizing accessibility from the outset, businesses can enhance user experiences, comply with legal requirements, and reach a broader audience.

At DOOR3, we are committed to integrating accessibility into our product development processes. Bailey Costello, a senior UX designer, recently completed her International Association of Accessibility Professionals (IAAP) certification, and we continue to push for a more inclusive digital landscape through our work.

If you’re looking to improve the accessibility of your digital products, contact us to learn how we can help.

For more insights on accessibility in UX design, check out our interview with Senior UX Designer Bailey Costello about her recent IAAP Certification.