Accessibility
1. What Is Digital Accessibility?
Section titled “1. What Is Digital Accessibility?”Accessibility is about designing interfaces (websites, apps, content…) so that they are usable by everyone, including people with permanent or temporary disabilities or limitations.
It helps fight exclusion and create a truly inclusive experience.
2. Why Is It Essential?
Section titled “2. Why Is It Essential?”| 🎯 Reason | 💡 Expected Outcome |
|---|---|
| Inclusivity | Usable experience for everyone |
| Legal compliance (RGAA / WCAG) | Mandatory for certain websites |
| SEO optimization | Better search indexing |
| Brand image | Ethical commitment |
| Business performance | Broader user base |
Note
In France, public websites are required to comply with RGAA standards.
3. Main Types of Disabilities to Consider
Section titled “3. Main Types of Disabilities to Consider”| Disability Type | Examples / Specific Needs |
|---|---|
| 👁 Visual | Blindness, low vision, color blindness → screen readers, good contrast, alt text |
| 👂 Auditory | Deafness, hard of hearing → subtitles, clear visuals |
| 🧠 Cognitive | Dyslexia, ADHD, mental impairments → clear, simple, structured content |
| 🦾 Motor | Difficulty using a mouse → keyboard navigation, large clickable areas |
| 👶/👵 Other users | Seniors, children → clean and intuitive interface |
4. Common Accessibility Barriers
Section titled “4. Common Accessibility Barriers”- Missing alternative text for images
- Poorly labeled forms
- Navigation not possible without a mouse
- Insufficient color contrast
- Pop-ups or modals not accessible
- Videos without subtitles or audio descriptions
5. Standards & Guidelines
Section titled “5. Standards & Guidelines”| Reference | Description |
|---|---|
| WCAG (W3C) | International accessibility guidelines |
| RGAA (France) | French standard for public sector websites |
| WAI-ARIA | Best practices for dynamic interactive components |
6. UX Best Practices for Accessibility
Section titled “6. UX Best Practices for Accessibility”- Descriptive alt text (
alt="") for all images - High contrast (minimum 4.5:1 for body text)
- Full keyboard navigation supported
- Large, readable, clearly labeled buttons
- Logical HTML hierarchy (
h1 > h2 > h3) - Avoid distracting or auto-playing animations
- Provide subtitles and/or audio descriptions
7. Tools & Accessibility Testing
Section titled “7. Tools & Accessibility Testing”| 🧰 Tool | Use Case |
|---|---|
| Wave / Axe / Lighthouse | Automated accessibility audits |
| NVDA / VoiceOver / JAWS | Screen reader simulators |
| Color Oracle / Stark | Color blindness simulators |
| Keyboard-only navigation | Simple but essential manual test |
| Contrast Checker | Check color contrast (WebAIM, etc.) |
8. Focus: Visual & Auditory Impairments
Section titled “8. Focus: Visual & Auditory Impairments”For visual impairments:
Section titled “For visual impairments:”- Screen reader compatibility
- Importance of
alttext, form labels, clear headings - Keyboard navigation is essential
- Avoid dynamic content without proper markup (e.g. inaccessible carousels)
For auditory impairments:
Section titled “For auditory impairments:”- Subtitles on videos
- Do not rely solely on audio to convey information
- Use clear, explanatory visuals
Conclusion
Section titled “Conclusion”Accessibility is not optional — it is an ethical, legal, and strategic obligation.
It improves:
- the user experience for everyone
- the product’s performance
- the brand’s reputation
An accessible product is a better-designed product.