Accessibility in design: Why it’s more than a tick box
“Is it accessible?” is a question content designers and developers are increasingly asked by clients and communication teams. Accessiblydesigned assets, such as web pages, PDFs and digital images, were once considered good practice, but were often an afterthought; a compliance box to tick once the design was complete.
These days, accessibility compliance regulations mean accessible design – which includes ensuring that print, digital, and visual assets can be seen, read, interacted with, and understood by people of all levels and abilities – is a fundamental requirement in design.
But it’s time to think of accessibility as more than just a regulatory ‘must have’. It should be a key component of your content development and a way of thinking about your audience and their needs.
Accessible design is a great opportunity to create more inclusive, user-friendly experiences that appeal to a broader audience, allowing more people to engage with your content, in more ways and across more platforms.
Understanding the WCAG regulatory requirements
At its core, web accessibility is about ensuring that everyone, regardless of ability, can access vital information and services.
The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 AA is the current global standard for accessibility. Australian government websites and digital services must comply with WCAG to ensure equitable access for all users, including those with disabilities.
This is a legal and ethical responsibility that directly impacts engagement, usability and public trust. Non-compliance can lead to legal consequences under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992.
In Australia, government agencies are required to ensure equal access to public services, reinforcing their commitment to inclusivity. Government departments have introduced initiatives to ensure that all online forms, PDFs and public service information are fully accessible to users with visual and hearing impairments, as well as other needs.
The business case for accessibility
Accessible design enhances the usability of your content for a broader audience, including older adults and individuals with disabilities.
Accessible design may also appeal to individuals who, for their own comfort and convenience, appreciate features such as descriptive links, enlarged font sizes, speech captions or simplified website navigation. These advantages are especially useful for people using devices like mobile phones, where accessible design aids readability and user functionality.
Accessible digital experiences lead to higher engagement, better user retention and improved brand reputation.
It’s not just government and government agencies that can benefit from accessible design practices. All organisations, whether public or private enterprises, should follow best practice accessible design guidelines to enhance user experience.
Best practices in accessible design
Follow these guidelines to ensure your content is accessible:
- Contrast and font readability: Ensure that text has sufficient contrast against its background for better readability. Queensland’s digital accessibility guidelines mandate minimum contrast ratios to enhance visibility.
- Accessible PDFs: Many organisations still rely on PDFs for official documentation. Ensure your PDFs are properly tagged for screen readers, including adding alt text for images, and follow a logical reading order to improve accessibility.
- Assistive technology compatibility: Websites and digital documents must be designed to work seamlessly with screen readers, speech-to-text software and other assistive technologies.
- Keyboard navigation: Users should be able to navigate websites and documents using only a keyboard, without relying on a mouse. This is particularly important for users with mobility impairments.
- Alt text for images: Providing descriptive alt text ensures that visually impaired users can understand image content through screen readers.
Accessible design creates inclusive, effective and engaging digital experiences. By prioritising accessibility, you can reach a wider audience, provide optimal user experiences, and build a well-deserved reputation for having a responsible and responsive approach to communication best practices.
Connect with us
At Phillips Group, we design accessible and visually compelling solutions that connect with audiences, convey clear messages and adhere to WCAG best practices. Connect with us for a conversation about how we can support your design needs.
