Update: August, 2020
Three years later and Nate is still left-handed (but we only buy vertically-bound spiral notebooks now), and we’ve learned so much more about accessibility! Check out our new download where our resident accessibility expert, Randy, breaks down some of the key attributes of the WCAG standards, and shares tools we use to ensure all Almanac-designed websites are accessible.
Original post: November, 2017
Recently, I attended STLXCon, a conference for user experience and service design professionals. Still being a relative newbie in the world of design, I took away some great insights, one of which in particular has changed the way I think about my everyday work: UX is all about accessibility.
Accessibility is something we take seriously at Almanac, and while it shows up in all of our digital work, it wasn’t until this conference that I had a “Eureka!” moment. As a left-hander, I have adapted to many daily tasks in my life without even realizing it. I had been dealing with a lack of accessibility all my life. While it’s not on the level of those with disabilities, we are living in a world where things are designed for right-handed people–a common example of how accessibility affects all of us.
If you’ll indulge me for a moment, let’s talk about spiral notebooks. The metal spine hurts your hand when it’s constantly in the way. The computer mouse is another obstacle of mine, especially as a designer. Over time I have adapted to illustrating with my right hand rather than my left. It took time and patience, and sometimes I wonder if it had to be this way.
So, what does accessibility really have to do with designing for the web? Well, everything! As designers, we have a lot of control over how a user interacts with our work. By accounting for accessibility needs during design—contrast, font size, hover states, text styles and hierarchy—we can create consistent and expected experiences so that everyone, including those with a disability, can enjoy without fear of being stuck at a dead end.
Since I’ve started paying attention, I’ve learned that finding a highly accessible website that is designed beautifully is kind of like finding a needle in a haystack. To my fellow designers: let’s create websites that truly work for everyone. We can become pioneers of accessibility and create experiences that are equally beautiful and functional for all.
Let’s get to work!