Inclusive Design for a Digital World
Designing with Accessibility in Mind
I dedicate this book to my daddy Allen Gilbert, Jr. - he told me I could do whatever I put my mind to and he was right. Thank you to all of my students, who have taught me more than I could have ever taught you.
To all my friends and family: you all have been with me on my journey - thank you!
Accessibility—that’s not our problem.
Wait, what—how much is it going to cost us to make this site accessible?
Lawsuit for an inaccessible image? It’s free to surf the Web.
Making the site accessible will mess up the aesthetics.
WithInclusive Design for a Digital World , Regine has made the idea of accessibility and design a seamless process that can be implemented at the early design phase by addressing design requirements from the start.
My first introduction to Regine was when I attended one of her UX/UI Series in New York City about the impact of stakeholders’ roles on accessible design in their market. She leveraged her experience as a designer and what she had learned from the challenges she faced in her work. Regine brought up key points about background images to color contrasts used on “call to action” buttons. She highlighted that if a designer checked for compliance by reading up on the W3C recommendations, they would get a laundry list of 12 guidelines and 61 success criteria (not to mention 17 added SC in WCAG 2.1). She stated that she recognized that this seemingly complicated list is too robust for a designer to simply follow along for corrections. This prompted two guests, who were UX designers in the audience, to have a lively exchange regarding what is considered compliant vs. best practices. She shared her insights on the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0 (WCAG 2.0) Level AA as a reference point, but explained to the attendees that their roles as designers should be specific to what their industry were trying to achieve.
I understand some of the perceived challenges that designers face when thinking about how to make a web site accessible as well as be in line with WCAG 2.0 ruleset. However, what I empathize with more is the experience of the actual user when trying to navigate a web site that has not been designed with accessibility in mind.
I remember in 2005, I was tasked to train a classroom of blind users on how to navigate a government web site on desktops. We spent 2 days trying to figure out an alternative way to complete an online form because the screen readers were unable to announce labels for each text field. At that time, my role was to simply walk through a web page. That immediately turned into a hands-on, interactive experience. I found myself walking up and down the aisle to each user leaning in so they can whisper to me what labels they were unable to hear due to the sensitive information they were required to type. At the end of this session, the class just wanted a telephone number to call when they got home, so if they had any issues, they could ask a family member to help. This was a problem that unfortunately many people with disabilities were accustomed to. They were not able to have the same quick, easy, and simple interaction with the online forms like a sighted person would.
Fast-forward to 2019 and 15 years later, we are still facing similar issues with user experience. It is why Regine’s book is even more relevant and necessary today. With more and more of the average person’s life being spent online on various devices, from laptops to mobile phones, her approach to breaking down designers’ way of critically thinking about accessibility challenges during the design phase will help to ensure compliance and usability for all.
I don’t need easy. I just need possible.
—Bethany Hamilton
Life may not be fair, but that doesn’t give you any excuse not to be.
—Elizabeth Jackson
Upon attending my first A11yNYC meetup in New York, I met a person who was blind, and as many conversations go, they asked me what I did for a living. I mentioned I was a UX designer and help make web sites more usable. She asked me, “Do the companies and people you work with ever think about people like me?” At the time, I had worked on a few freelance projects and had not heard anyone mention accessibility.
After a long pause, I answered, “No,” and proceeded to say that I will make sure that we do think about it in whatever work I do. She had posed a question to me that forever changed my perspective on the things I work on.
Thinking back on the question first asked, we know what it feels to be left out of something. When we create products and experiences that are not inclusive and accessible, there is the possibility we are leaving folks with the feeling of being left out of experiences.
This book provides a foundation for making more inclusive and accessible experiences through case studies and hands-on exercises.
Who Is This Book for?
This book is meant to be a starting point and reference guide for those who are new to accessibility or have an interest in knowing more about accessibility and how to incorporate more inclusive practice into their day-to-day work.
Creating a culture of accessibility inclusion is about making sure everyone who works on, delivers or uses your services or products can access them.
—Julianna Rowsell
How to Use the Book
Chapter 1 , “Designing with Accessibility in Mind,” discusses accessible digital design and models of disability.
Chapter 2 , “Best Practice for Web,” discusses information architecture and content strategy and provides a high-level overview of accessible HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and ARIA.
Chapter 3 , “If It’s Annoying, It’s Probably Not Accessible,” provides examples of inaccessible products and relation to web content accessibility guidelines.
Chapter 4 , “ Web Standards,” reviews accessibility guidelines from across the globe as well as providing high-level explanation of the web content accessibility guidelines.
Chapter 5 , “Design Principles,” covers a couple of different design strategies and frameworks for creating a more inclusive and accessible experience.
Chapter 6 , “Inclusive Design Research,” discusses research methodologies and planning, and recruitment of people with disabilities.
Chapter 7 , “Assistive Technologies,” highlights a selected group of assistive technologies and provides a case study of the Microsoft Adaptive Controller.
Chapter 8 , “Planning and Implementing Inclusive Designs,” covers creating a culture of accessibility, design systems, and implementation of accessibility.
Chapter 9 , “Usability Testing,” includes the “hows” of usability testing, test plan example, and BBC case study.
Chapter 10 , “Beyond the Web,” discusses past accessible innovations and the future of accessibility with augmented and virtual realities.
The Appendix contains information on additional resources related to accessibility and inclusive design.
Throughout this book, there are references to real case studies as well as some practical frameworks that can be applied to the creation of digital products. There are many references throughout the book and they are not meant to provide a one-size-fits-all solution, because when it comes to accessibility and inclusive experiences, context needs to be taken into consideration. In all instances when dealing with accessibility, it is best to bring in an accessibility professional, working with people with disabilities by participatory/co-design, or get the training for your team. We all have to start somewhere, and this is a good place to be.
Design is oftentimes the starting point and this is where the book begins, with designing with disability in mind.
Let’s get started!
When I started to think about why I wrote this book and who I would like to acknowledge, the list is long. So I will start at the beginning of my lifelong journey of learning about accessibility and different disabilities.
Growing up, I had a mother with a cognitive disability and a cousin who was deaf. I never thought of them as different, and I learned a little sign language along the way. Thank you, mama Mary Anne Gilbert and cousin Tammy Holmes.
My family has been supportive every step of the way, and I want to thank my three brothers, Allen, Corey, and Reggie, and my sister-in-law Winnie for all their help and support along the way. My partner in life Jorge Junior Mena Sivira, thank you for your patience.
When I got involved with digital accessibility, I learned a lot from the founders of the a11y NYC Meetup: Shawn Lauriat, Thomas Logan, and Cameron Cundiff. They bring together great guest speakers on a monthly basis and I have been able to learn so much from them.
Some of the best teachers have been people I have and have not met in real life. To those in the disability community, thank you for your tireless efforts in promoting a more inclusive world. To those I continue to learn from: Catherin Kudlick, Liz Jackson, Debra Ruh, Chancey Fleet, Clair Kearney-Volper, Neil Millikin, Kat Holmes, Matt May, Amy Hurst, Allen Goldstein, Tatiana Mac, Svetlana Kouznetsova, Jennison Asuncion, Damien Senger, Karwai Pun, Eric Bailey, E.J. Mason, Joe Devon, Lindsey Kopacz, Tae’lur Alexis, Erin Newby, Anne-Laure Fayard, Nefrititi Matos, Sarah Horton, Whitney Quesenbery, and Reggie Bennett.
To those that inspire me on a daily basis: Maurice Cherry, Jonathan Soffer, Luke Dubois, Tega Brain, Carla Gannis, Elton Kwok, Eric Maiello, Jenelle Woodrup, Jhanele Gree, Michael Bernard, Ife oluwa Lawal, Scott Fitzgerald, Elizabeth Henaff, Kathleen Sullivan, Kathleen McDermott, Justin Hendrix, Jay Leibowitz, Alexis Seeley, Janice Brown, Adaora Udoji, Michael Rain, Mich Lyon, Maya Brooks, Christy Crawford, Dara Sanderson, Quiessence Phillips, Bill Curtis-Davidson, Jose Zambrano, Stacy Smith, Benedetta Piantella, Nicholas Gustin, Mark Skwarek, Daniel Krasner, Kyra Peralte, Corey Malone, Tanasha Lawcock, Eric Talbert, Steven Thrasher, Galina Tsypin, Andrew Clark, Christina Morrillo, Tanya Valle, Willie Morales, Elliot Carlisle, Mich Weston, Christophe Drayton, Megan Innes, James Vanie, Ronald Ondeyko, Marsha Cooper, Sacha Seraydarian, Jarrad Henderson, Heather O’Neill, Elle Elliot, Ramon Guillemard-Torres, Binh Ngyuen, Ariba Jahan, Keith Franco, Jessica Santana, Evin Robinson, Ren Vasey, Shawn Vasandani, Jan Baker, Sela Lewis, Chad Schroer, Courtney Wiggins, Belinda Johnson Tiffany Linzan, Felicia Grey, TeLisa Daughtry, Steve Chartier, CJ Dillon, Susan Zweig, Ryan Snelson, Jocelyn Miller, Claudio Romano, Nitya Narasimhan, Jordan Green, Dian Holton, Paul Anthony Webb, Antoinette Carrol, Phim Her, Kojo Boateng, Joe Formica, Maurice Franklin, Krya Peralte, Christine Wong Yap, Elizabeth Travelslight, Kamilah Cole, Angela Fludd, The Collective, and Robert Salley.
Without you I would not be where I am today: Karl Hudson Phillips, Elise Braun, Gerald Glackin, Janis Yost, Nathan McDonald, Madeline Koren, DeAngela Duff, Touseef Mirza, Aaron Neeley, Angelica Moreno, Barbara Jackson, Jewel Taylor, Karen Hipsher, Lanette Hauck, Kamil Bir, Yuto Navarette, John Angel, Annica Nolan, Erin Hawke, Maria Rapetskaya, Michel Kekerovic, Cyril Lagarde, James Angel, Lair Paulsen, Jarrod Lawrence, and Deon Lambert.
Most grateful to the publishing team at Apress who gave me this opportunity and worked with me. Thank you, Natalie Pao, Jessica Vakill, and James Markham for your time and efforts and for all your hard work.
is a user experience designer, educator, and international public speaker with over 10 years of experience working in the technology arena. Her passion for accessibility stems from growing up with family who were disabled. Since working in technology, she has spearheaded accessibility initiatives within the organizations in which she worked including creation of guidelines and training. She has a strong belief in making the world a more accessible place—one that starts and ends with the user.
Regine is a Visiting Industry Assistant Professor at NYU Tandon School of Engineering, teaching User Experience Design to students in the Integrated Digital Media Program. In addition, she has previously taught the part-time User Experience Design course at General Assembly. Some of the organizations Regine has had the pleasure of working with include Disney, JP Morgan, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, Ralph Lauren, Columbia University, and Vitamin Shoppe. She is a Certified Accessibility Professional through the International Association of Accesibility Professionals.
, affectionately known as “The Queen of Code,” Sara is the Director of Analytics & Insights at a NYC advertising agency. With over 18 years of programming experience, she takes fundamental communication within her role in technology and data very seriously and is consistently referred to by her colleagues as someone who makes digital accessible.
Always ready to share her experience and point of view, Sara presented “Programmers Are From Mars, Brand Teams Are From Venus” at the 2013 QA Summit: Digital Healthcare Marketing in Chicago and has been a panelist at the 2016 Web Summit in Dublin, Ireland, and the recent event in New York City, IESE Business Trends 2017: Following the Ever-Changing Trends While Keeping Your Target Audience in Clear Sight. She’s a regular guest speaker at NYU in the digital department and she consults with various organizations on making digital accessible and relative.
Recognized as a Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association Rising Star in 2016, she is very passionate about promoting women in technology. Sara has brought ethnic and gender diversity into her department and made sure her reports have her whole-hearted support. She is a tireless volunteer for organizations that work to mentor young women and people of color considering STEM careers These organizations include BuiltByGirls, Black Girls Code, Girls Who Code and NYC Salt.