Designing with Accessibility in Mind from Day One

In the digital age, accessibility is no longer a luxury—it's a necessity. Whether you’re building a government portal, an e-commerce platform, or a personal blog in India, ensuring your design is accessible from day one improves usability, reach, and user satisfaction. Accessibility allows people with disabilities to interact effectively with your website or app, and starting early in the design process ensures inclusivity is built into the core of your digital product.

In this blog post, we’ll explore why designing with accessibility in mind from day one is crucial, the common barriers users face, and practical steps you can take to build inclusive digital experiences.

Why Accessibility Matters

India has over 2.68 crore people living with disabilities, according to the 2011 Census. That’s nearly 2.2% of the population, and the number is likely higher today. For these users, accessing the internet can be challenging due to poor design choices, such as low contrast, missing alt text, or non-intuitive navigation.

Designing with accessibility in mind helps in:

• Improving user experience for all – not just people with disabilities
• Boosting SEO – Google rewards accessible websites
• Expanding reach – you don’t exclude a large section of your audience
• Complying with laws – India’s Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act (RPwD), 2016, mandates accessible public digital services

The Cost of Retroactive Accessibility

Adding accessibility features after a website is built can be time-consuming and expensive. If accessibility isn't considered from day one, it often requires redesigning layouts, rewriting code, and replacing media content. This can significantly delay launch timelines and increase development costs.

By integrating accessibility into the planning and wireframing stage, you build a strong foundation and avoid having to “patch up” accessibility later.

Common Accessibility Barriers

Before diving into solutions, it's important to understand the typical challenges that users with disabilities face:

• Visual Barriers: Low colour contrast, missing image alt text, small fonts
• Auditory Barriers: No captions or transcripts for videos
• Motor Barriers: Small buttons, lack of keyboard support
• Cognitive Barriers: Complex language, cluttered layouts
• Technological Barriers: Incompatibility with screen readers

Principles of Accessible Design

Accessible design is built on four key principles—summarised by the acronym POUR:

• Perceivable: Users must be able to perceive the information presented. Use alt text, colour contrast, captions.
• Operable: Users must be able to navigate using keyboard and mouse. Avoid auto-timeouts.
• Understandable: Use simple language, consistent navigation, and helpful error messages.
• Robust: Compatible with assistive technologies and future-proof coding standards.

Best Practices for Designing with Accessibility in Mind

Start with Semantic HTML

Use proper HTML5 elements like for better screen reader understanding.

Ensure Colour Contrast

Maintain at least 4.5:1 contrast ratio. Use tools like WebAIM’s contrast checker to validate colours.

Use Alt Text for Images

Describe images meaningfully for visually impaired users. Example:
“Durga Makeup Studio bridal makeover – red lehenga and gold jewellery.”

Make Interactive Elements Accessible

All buttons and links must be accessible via keyboard. Use ARIA labels where necessary.

Provide Transcripts and Captions

Videos and audio files should include transcripts and captions to aid both hearing-impaired users and SEO.

Keep Navigation Simple

Use clear headings, breadcrumbs, and avoid overly complex menus.

Avoid Auto-Play and Flashing Content

Auto-play can distract users. Flashing elements can trigger seizures. Allow users to control playback.

Design for Screen Reader Compatibility

Use ARIA roles, proper labels, and test with tools like NVDA or VoiceOver.

Include Accessibility in Your UX Design Process

Train your team—designers, developers, and writers—to build with accessibility in mind.

Accessibility Tools to Get Started

• WAVE by WebAIM – Accessibility checker
• axe DevTools – Chrome extension
• Google Lighthouse – Built-in Chrome audit tool
• Color Contrast Checker – For text-background validation
• NVDA Screen Reader – Free screen reader for testing

Real-World Example: IRCTC Website

The IRCTC website once had accessibility issues like poor navigation and lack of alt text. Recent updates have improved keyboard navigation and screen reader support, showing that accessibility improvements are possible but easier when planned early.

Final Thoughts

Designing with accessibility in mind from the beginning is not just about compliance—it’s about caring for all your users. In a country like India with its linguistic diversity, varied levels of digital literacy, and high mobile usage, accessibility ensures your website or app is usable by the widest possible audience.

When you start with accessibility in mind, you create products that are easier to use, reach more people, and ultimately perform better. Whether you're a freelance web designer, a startup founder, or part of a large enterprise, embracing accessible design is a smart and socially responsible choice.

Ready to Make Your Website Accessible?

Don’t wait for the final stage of your design process to think about accessibility. Start today—because inclusion starts with intention.