What does accessibility mean?
Essential for some, helpful for everyone!
Accessibility is something we encounter in everyday life, often without even noticing:
- Ramps and elevators in buildings
- Subtitles in videos
- Tactile guidance systems at train stations
- Voice announcements in elevators or public transport
Accessibility means that products,
services, and environments are designed so that they can be used by all people,
regardless of individual abilities. It is important to recognize:
Accessible experiences are not only essential for some, but ultimately beneficial for everyone.
A practical example from the physical world is lowered curbs. For people using wheelchairs or walking aids, a lowered curb is indispensable. At the same time, it makes life easier for parents with strollers, travelers with suitcases, or cyclists.
Web content has become a central part of our everyday lives – and therefore also a key area for accessibility. There are several pillars that make a website accessible:
- Hierarchy & structure
- Responsive layouts
- Color contrasts
- Keyboard navigation
- Text alternatives for media
For example:
Do you think the links easy to read?
Now compare them with this version:
The second example meets the contrast requirements for an accessible website, while the first does not. Objectively, the second example is better for everyone, though it is essential for people with some form of visual impairment.