Accessibility Checklist and Technical Implementation

Creating an inclusive digital world starts with accessibility. It’s not just a moral obligation or a legal requirement. Accessibility ensures equal access for everyone, regardless of their abilities. Digital accessibility allows people with disabilities to interact with web content, services, and tools. 

In this article, we explore the importance of accessibility, provide a checklist with practical examples, and outline technical strategies for effectively implementing accessibility standards. 

Why is Accessibility Essential? 

Imagine a student with a visual disability effortlessly accessing online study materials. Or a senior citizen with limited mobility navigating an e-commerce checkout without any barriers. This is the power of accessibility. It empowers over a billion people globally who have some form of disability, ensuring they can fully participate in the digital sphere and feel valued and respected. It is not just a symbolic act. 

Accessibility ensures that digital services work for everyone using screen readers, keyboard navigation, or voice commands. Subtitles for videos help those with hearing disabilities and support users in noisy environments or non-native speakers of a language. 

Comprehensive Accessibility Checklist with Examples 

1. Legible Content 

Content must be presented in a way that is legible to all users. 

• Provide Alternative Text for Images: A product image of a blue backpack should have alternative text like alt=”Blue hiking backpack with adjustable straps” for screen readers instead of generic descriptors like “image.jpg”. 

• Support Text Resizing up to 200%: Use relative units like ems in CSS to ensure text scales without breaking the layout. Test by zooming in your browser to confirm scalability. 

• Ensure Color Contrast Compliance: Use tools like WebAIM’s Contrast Checker to guarantee a ratio of at least 4.5:1. For example, avoid gray (#888) text on a white background. 

2. Interact Content 

Users should be able to interact with content via multiple input methods. 

• Test Keyboard Navigation: Use the Tab key to ensure you can cycle through all interactive elements in sensible order and verify that focus indicators (e.g., an outline for buttons) are visible. 

• Provide Skip Links: Include a “Skip to Content” link at the top of your page to allow users to bypass lengthy menus. 

• Avoid Keyboard Traps: Ensure modals can be closed with the Esc key and that users can return to their original focus point. 

3. Understandable Content 

Content and functionality should be easy to understand. 

• Simplify Language: Replace jargon with plain English, e.g., “Use the menu above to explore” instead of “Utilize the navigation framework above.” 

• Ensure Clear Error Messaging: When users fill out a form incorrectly, display feedback like “Enter a valid email address” instead of “Error.” 

• Maintain Consistency: Use predictable navigation menus and layouts so users know what to expect. 

4. Robust Content 

Content must work across multiple assistive technologies. 

• Write Semantic HTML: Use the appropriate elements (<button>, <form>) for their intended purpose instead of <div>. For example, <button aria-label=”Submit Form”>Submit</button> is identified correctly by screen readers. 

• Adopt ARIA Roles Carefully: Use ARIA landmarks like role= “navigation” for menus, but avoid redundant roles that clutter the code. 

WCAG 2.2-Specific Criteria 

WCAG 2.2 introduces key updates: 

• Target Size Standards: Touch elements like buttons should be at least 24×24 pixels, especially for touch screen users. 

• Accessible Authentication: Provide login forms that don’t require memorization, such as one-time passwords or email links. 

• Alternative to Drag-and-Drop: Offer “Choose File” buttons as a backup to drag-and-drop functionality. 

Technical Implementation Strategies 

Start With Accessibility in Mind 

Accessibility should not be an afterthought. Incorporate it at the mockup and prototyping stages of design. Tools like Figma and Adobe XD offer plugins that simulate accessibility barriers, allowing designers to address issues early. 

Use Accessibility Testing Tools 

Automated tools (Lighthouse, Axe) catch basic errors, but they should always be complemented by manual testing. Real users who rely on assistive technologies can uncover more nuanced usability issues. For example, ask a screen reader user to test your checkout process. 

Follow Inclusive Design Principles   

Inclusive design goes beyond accessibility — it creates products that work better for everyone. Adjustments like adding tooltips to icons, enlarging buttons, or implementing shortcuts for repetitive tasks ensure broader usability. 

Plan for Future Accessibility Standards 

Ensure your website is flexible enough to accommodate updates when standards like WCAG evolve. Establish maintenance schedules to re-evaluate accessibility post-launch. 

Real-World Examples of Accessibility in Action 

Big corporations are proving accessibility’s value. Apple’s VoiceOver feature has become a benchmark for screen reader software, empowering millions of users. Microsoft’s Immersive Reader helps people with dyslexia and non-native speakers understand text more easily. These success stories demonstrate the positive impact of prioritizing accessibility, both in terms of user experience and brand reputation. 

Companies failing to comply have faced backlash. Even big companies have faced lawsuits for inapproachable services, which have tainted their reputations and caused them to suffer legal costs. This is an important reminder of the potential consequences of neglecting accessibility in digital products. Not only can it lead to legal issues, but it can also damage a company’s brand and customer trust. 

Accessibility as a Shared Responsibility 

Accessibility isn’t just the responsibility of developers or designers. It requires collaboration among teams and stakeholders. Content creators, product managers, and QA testers must align their efforts. This shared responsibility is a key aspect of successful accessibility implementation. Everyone in the organization, from top management to the front-line staff, has a role to play in making digital products accessible. 

Encouraging a Cultural Shift Toward Accessibility 

Making accessibility the standard requires shifting perspectives. By practicing empathy — considering how different users will experience your product — you can design systems that empower everyone. Small changes like offering screen reader-friendly content or high-contrast themes show that inclusivity is essential. This shift in mindset is crucial for fostering a more accessible digital world. 

Accessibility is not just about compliance — it’s about creating a better web for all. Start implementing accessibility practices today and explore resources like the WCAG guidelines, online simulators, and usability tools. Together, we can build a world where digital experiences are inclusive and fair. 

By prioritizing accessibility, you create opportunities, encourage trust, and lead innovation. The question isn’t whether you can afford accessibility; it’s whether you can afford to leave anyone behind. 

Here are some resources that can help you dive deeper into accessibility best practices:   

1. Best Practices by Topic—Digital Accessibility: This resource breaks down digital accessibility best practices into key topics, such as alternative text, color usage, and captioning. 
2. Designing for Web Accessibility—Tips for Getting Started offers practical tips for meeting WCAG requirements, with links to related guidelines.