You're leading a UX design project. How do you convince your team to prioritize accessibility considerations?
To lead a UX design project with accessibility in mind, you'll need to build a compelling case for its importance. Here's how you can get your team on board:
- Highlight legal requirements: Point out that accessibility compliance, such as adhering to Web Content Accessibility Guidelines \(WCAG\), is often legally mandated.
- Showcase success stories: Share examples of companies that have benefited from prioritizing accessibility, enhancing their user base and reputation.
- Emphasize inclusivity: Remind your team that accessible design makes the product usable for everyone, including people with disabilities, which can drive market growth.
How do you ensure accessibility in your projects?
You're leading a UX design project. How do you convince your team to prioritize accessibility considerations?
To lead a UX design project with accessibility in mind, you'll need to build a compelling case for its importance. Here's how you can get your team on board:
- Highlight legal requirements: Point out that accessibility compliance, such as adhering to Web Content Accessibility Guidelines \(WCAG\), is often legally mandated.
- Showcase success stories: Share examples of companies that have benefited from prioritizing accessibility, enhancing their user base and reputation.
- Emphasize inclusivity: Remind your team that accessible design makes the product usable for everyone, including people with disabilities, which can drive market growth.
How do you ensure accessibility in your projects?
-
I convince my team by showing them how accessibility benefits everyone, not just those with disabilities. Sharing user feedback and statistics on improved engagement helps them understand the value. Involving the team in testing accessible features and seeing positive user reactions builds empathy. By framing accessibility as an integral part of quality design, rather than an extra step, I inspire them to make inclusive design a priority.
-
To truly make accessibility a priority, let's put a human face on it. Share personal stories of people who've been left out of the digital world due to inaccessible designs. It's not just about following rules; it's about creating experiences that everyone can enjoy. By making our designs accessible, we're not only doing the right thing, but we're also expanding our user base and boosting our brand reputation. Let's integrate accessibility into our design process from the start, not as an afterthought. Regular audits and ongoing training will help us stay on track. And let's celebrate our successes to inspire the whole team. By making accessibility a core value, we're creating a more inclusive future for everyone.
-
Accessibility isn’t just a checkbox—it’s a fundamental part of creating great user experiences. I start by showing how accessible design benefits everyone, enhancing usability and ensuring no one is excluded. I connect the team with real user stories to demonstrate how design choices impact people’s daily lives, fostering empathy and a deeper commitment. Rather than focusing solely on regulations, I position accessibility as a strategic advantage that can open new markets and strengthen user loyalty. By reframing accessibility as a driver of innovation and inclusivity, I inspire the team to see it as a vital part of our project’s success.
-
I ensure my projects are accessible by considering accessibility from the start. I engage with people with disabilities to understand their needs, improving my product for everyone. I use easy design tricks like contrasting colors, adding text to images, and enabling keyboard navigation. I frequently test my product with screen readers and voice software to ensure compatibility. Regular checks help me find and fix issues using both automated and manual testing. I educate my team on accessibility's importance, providing tools and training. I continuously seek feedback and improvements, ensuring my products follow rules and work better for all.
-
As my focus is eHealth, I try to explain that for patients, especially those managing complex conditions, technology should reduce barriers, not create them. Accessibility ensures that the tool is usable by all intended users, including those with physical, cognitive, or technological limitations. Without this, the most vulnerable individuals may be excluded, undermining the tool's purpose and increasing the digital divide.
Rate this article
More relevant reading
-
User ExperienceWhat do you do if your UX project faces unexpected delays but you still need to meet the deadline?
-
User ExperienceWhat do you do if your UX project is running behind schedule?
-
Product ManagementWhat are effective ways to resolve conflicts between your product vision and your UX team's design choices?
-
User Experience DesignHow can you balance your UX team's different perspectives effectively?