Accessibility Engineering and Inclusive Design
Accessibility as a quality attribute
Why accessibility is central
Accessibility is not an optional add-on; it is a measure of whether people with diverse abilities can perceive, understand, navigate, and operate the interface. Advanced teams integrate accessibility from requirements through implementation and testing.
Core accessibility dimensions
Perceivable
Information must be presentable to users in ways they can perceive.
Operable
Users must be able to use interface controls and navigation.
Understandable
Content and operations should be clear and predictable.
Robust
Content should work reliably with assistive technologies.
Common misconception
Accessibility is not only about screen readers. It also includes keyboard use, color contrast, focus management, motion sensitivity, and cognitive load.
Typical accessibility checks
| Area | Examples |
|---|---|
| Keyboard support | Logical tab order, visible focus, no keyboard traps |
| Color and contrast | Sufficient contrast ratios and non-color cues |
| Forms | Labels, instructions, error messages, and recovery |
| Media | Captions, transcripts, and alternatives |