The Americans with Disabilities Act was signed into law in 1990. This fundamentally changed how we designed spaces and created inclusive experiences. However, the law came before the Internet and designing for digital experiences. As our designs and technology have evolved, so have the guidelines for making them inclusive.
The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) are the international standard for accessible product development and inclusive design. Their goal is to provide equal access to information and services to everyone, regardless of their physical, cognitive, sensory, or socio-economic needs. They are living documents that are updated regularly to support all forms…
When it comes to accessibility and inclusive design, we tend to focus on specific abilities and conditions. For instance, using colors with adequate color contrast for people who have low-vision or in less-than ideal lighting situations. But inclusive design requires more than an awareness of different disabilities and appropriate design considerations. We need to also include people who experience layers of health, environmental, and social barriers.
Intuit’s Accessibility and Inclusive Design team has been researching design considerations for people with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD), also known as Sickle Cell Warriors. Sickle Cell Warriors are brave fighters that endure incredible pain…
I recently gave a presentation for Maxability about color contrast. This is a complex topic and could never be fully covered in one hour. I hoped to bring some understanding of why we still have problems with color contrast, understanding why designers may use a color that doesn’t meet color contrast requirements, and strategies to build better products.
Slides
The Saga of Accessible Colors (Transcript and notes)
Muwekma Ohlone People
I want to respectfully acknowledge the Muwekma Ohlone People, who have stewarded this land (San Francisco) throughout the generations.
Accessible Color Contrast
What is your reaction?
Color Contrast for Designers
Designers can have a negative reaction to color contrast conversations. Especially when the…
Paris Web is one of the greatest developer conferences in the world. Accessibility has been a core part of the conference and speakers from around the globe have delivered impactful presentations. The following is a set accessibility-related videos published by Paris Web. Most of these are presented in French.
View all of their videos on Paris Web’s Vimeo channel. Paris Web Videos on Vimeo
Ted Drake
Intuit’s Global Accessibility Leader
