Building for Accessibility: A Product Manager’s Guide to Inclusive Web Apps

When developing web applications, accessibility is often overlooked due to tight deadlines and a lack of awareness about the importance of inclusive design. Product managers may prioritize features that promise visible interaction, inadvertently alienating a significant portion of the user base—those with disabilities. This oversight can result in frustrating user experiences and, ultimately, exclusion from your digital products. Realizing the importance of accessibility can enhance user satisfaction, expand your audience, and improve the overall usability of your web applications.

Understanding Accessibility and Its Importance

Accessibility refers to the design of products, devices, services, or environments for people who experience disabilities. The goal is to create web applications that everyone can use, regardless of any physical or cognitive impairments. It’s not just about compliance; it’s about designing equitable experiences for all users. By integrating accessibility into your product strategy, you ensure a broader reach and better service to your entire audience.

Legal and Ethical Considerations

Product managers should be aware of legal requirements surrounding accessibility. Many countries have laws mandating web accessibility, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in the United States or the Web Accessibility Directive in the European Union. Beyond legal obligations, making your products accessible is simply the right thing to do. Inclusivity fosters a sense of fairness and equality, valuing all users.

Key Principles of Accessible Design

1. Perceivability: Information and user interface components must be presentable to users in ways they can perceive. For instance, provide text alternatives for non-text content.

2. Operability: User interface components and navigation must be usable. Simplifying navigation with keyboard functionality or voice commands is essential for users who cannot use a mouse.

3. Understandability: Information and the operation of the user interface must be understandable. This means maintaining readability, consistency, and predictability in your design.

4. Robustness: Content must be robust enough that it can be interpreted reliably by various assistive technologies. This includes ensuring compatibility with current and future user agents, including screen readers.

Steps to Building Accessible Web Apps

1. Conduct an Accessibility Audit

Begin by evaluating your current application to identify existing accessibility flaws. Use tools like WAVE or Axe to scan for issues, and consider manual testing with actual users who have disabilities.

2. Set Clear Accessibility Goals

Based on your audit, define what success looks like for your accessibility journey. Your goals should align with both the needs of your users and the broader objectives of your product.

3. Involve Users with Disabilities

Engaging with individuals who have disabilities provides invaluable insights. Their firsthand experiences will guide you in creating a more comprehensible and friendly user interface.

4. Leverage Accessibility Guidelines

Refer to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) as your checklist. WCAG 2.1 provides detailed recommendations for making web content more accessible.

5. Prioritize Features that Enhance Accessibility

Focus on features that drastically improve accessibility, such as adaptable text sizes, contrast options, and customizable input methods. Use designs that support screen readers and voice-over tools.

6. Design for Interruptions

Consider various interruption scenarios—like screen changes or unexpected alerts—and how they might affect users with cognitive impairments or anxiety disorders.

7. Plan for Maintenance and Future Improvements

Accessibility is not a one-time endeavor; it should be an integral part of your roadmapping sessions and feature updates. Regularly assess and update your product to align with new accessibility standards and tools.

Tools and Resources for Implementing Accessibility

• Screen Readers: Tools like NVDA and VoiceOver simulate the experience of visually impaired users, helping developers to understand and optimize their applications.

• Contrast Checkers: Use contrast ratio analysers to ensure your text can be read against different background colors.

• Keyboard Testing Tools: Ensure that your application is completely navigable using a keyboard alone. Tools like “Keyboard Accessibility Viewer” can simulate keyboard input.

• Color Picker Tools: Tools such as Color Oracle help simulate how colors are perceived by users with color vision deficiencies.

• Video and Audio Testing Tools: Ensure multimedia elements have text-based alternatives, like captions or transcripts.

Challenges and Solutions in Accessibility Implementation

Challenge 1: Limited Resources

Solution: Start small; address the most critical areas first and incrementally improve over time. Educating your team on the importance of accessibility can also lead to more proactive resource allocation in the future.

Challenge 2: Resistance to Change

Solution: Highlight the ROI of accessibility features, such as increased audience size and improved SEO. Often, accessible changes enhance the overall user experience, benefiting all users.

Challenge 3: Keeping Up with Compliance

Solution: Stay informed about the latest updates in accessibility standards and legislation. Joining accessibility forums and communities can keep you engaged and up-to-date with industry practices.

Real-World Examples of Good Accessibility Practices

• Airbnb: Known for its commitment to accessibility, Airbnb has developed a comprehensive strategy that involves users with disabilities in the design process, ensuring that its platform is intuitive and inclusive.

• Microsoft: As a pioneer of inclusive design, Microsoft integrates accessibility into its core products, leveraging technology to assist users with disabilities effectively.

• Slack: Not only does Slack ensure its platform is accessible, but it also provides detailed accessibility guides to help others build more inclusive software.

The Future of Accessibility in Web Applications

As technology evolves, so must our approaches to accessibility. Emerging tech such as AI and Machine Learning can offer personalized accessibility features, adapting interfaces dynamically to suit individual user needs. Keeping abreast of these technologies will empower product managers to push the boundaries of what inclusive web applications can achieve.

Conclusion

Building accessible web applications requires a shift in mindset. By prioritizing accessibility, product managers not only comply with legal standards but also unlock the potential of connecting with a broader audience. Incorporating accessibility into your planning and development processes ensures that all users feel seen, heard, and valued. As a product manager, leading the charge in accessibility can fundamentally reshape the digital experiences you create, making them not just usable, but truly inclusive.