How to design for accessibility from day one

Summary

Designing for accessibility from day one ensures your website, digital products, or accessible product is usable by everyone, including people with disabilities. This guide explains core accessibility design principles and shows how to embed accessibility and inclusive design into your design process from the first wireframe and design phase.

Why accessibility matters

Accessibility isn’t just about compliance with accessibility standards or WCAG it’s about usability and user experience. Around 1 in 6 people globally live with a disability. By integrating web accessibility and digital accessibility early, you improve UX, enhance SEO, and reduce accessibility issues and costly redesigns later.

Key principles to follow early in the design process

• Color contrast: Ensure sufficient contrast between text and background for readable content and accessibility best practices. Tools like WebAIM’s Contrast Checker help meet WCAG Level AA guidelines.
• Text hierarchy and scalability: Use proper heading structures that work with screen readers and assistive technologies, and allow resizable text without breaking layouts.
• Keyboard navigation: Design UI components that support full keyboard navigation buttons, menus, and modal windows—so users can interact without a mouse.
• Alt text and icons: Plan descriptive alt text for images and accessible icons so meaning is clear for users with disabilities using assistive tools.
• Form labels and error handling: Ensure all form fields have clear labels and accessible error messages to improve usability and accessibility features.

Design tools and collaboration

• Use design tools like Figma plugins such as Able or Stark to perform accessibility checks during the design phase.
• Involve designers and developers, content creators, and the design team early to align on accessibility guidelines and design system decisions.
• Test designs using screen reader tools and accessibility testing platforms like WAVE or Axe to address accessibility barriers early.

Final outcome

Starting with accessibility in mind leads to cleaner UX design, better code for developers, and wider audience reach. Accessibility-first design improves accessible experiences, builds credibility, and ensures everyone can access your digital experiences.

Want to design accessible and inclusive digital experiences from day one?
Integriti Studio helps teams build accessible websites and apps by integrating accessibility early without compromise.

👉Start your project