How do you ensure accessibility in your designs?


 Theme: Accessibility  Role: Ux/Ui Designer  Function: Technology

  Interview Question for UX/UI Designer:  See sample answers, motivations & red flags for this common interview question. About UX/UI Designer: Focuses on user experience and user interface design. This role falls within the Technology function of a firm. See other interview questions & further information for this role here

 Sample Answer 


  Example response for question delving into Accessibility with the key points that need to be covered in an effective response. Customize this to your own experience with concrete examples and evidence

  •  Understanding Accessibility: I have a deep understanding of accessibility principles and guidelines, such as WCAG 2.0 or 2.1, and ensure that my designs comply with these standards
  •  User Research: I conduct user research to understand the needs and challenges of users with disabilities. This helps me identify potential accessibility barriers and design solutions to address them
  •  Inclusive Design: I follow inclusive design practices by considering a diverse range of users and their abilities throughout the design process. This includes designing for different screen sizes, input methods, and assistive technologies
  •  Color Contrast: I pay attention to color contrast ratios to ensure that text and interactive elements are easily readable for users with visual impairments. I use tools like WebAIM's Color Contrast Checker to verify compliance
  •  Keyboard Accessibility: I ensure that all interactive elements can be accessed and operated using a keyboard alone. This includes proper focus states, logical tab order, and support for keyboard shortcuts
  •  Screen Reader Compatibility: I design and test my interfaces to be compatible with screen readers, ensuring that all important information is conveyed through alternative text, ARIA attributes, and semantic HTML
  •  Alternative Text for Images: I provide descriptive alternative text for images, ensuring that users with visual impairments can understand the content and context of the images
  •  Accessible Forms: I design forms that are easy to navigate and complete for users with disabilities. This includes clear labels, error messages, and proper validation
  •  Captioning & Transcripts: I ensure that multimedia content, such as videos or audio, is accompanied by captions or transcripts to make it accessible for users with hearing impairments
  •  Testing & Iteration: I regularly test my designs with users who have disabilities to gather feedback and make necessary improvements. This iterative process helps me ensure that my designs are truly accessible

 Underlying Motivations 


  What the Interviewer is trying to find out about you and your experiences through this question

  •  Knowledge & understanding of accessibility principles: Ability to design inclusive experiences for all users
  •  Problem-solving skills: Capability to identify and address accessibility issues in designs
  •  Attention to detail: Ability to ensure compliance with accessibility guidelines and standards
  •  Collaboration & communication skills: Capacity to work with stakeholders to prioritize and implement accessibility features

 Potential Minefields 


  How to avoid some common minefields when answering this question in order to not raise any red flags

  •  Lack of knowledge about accessibility guidelines: Not being familiar with WCAG 2.0 or other accessibility standards
  •  Ignoring user testing with people with disabilities: Not involving individuals with disabilities in the testing phase to ensure accessibility
  •  Not considering different assistive technologies: Not designing for screen readers, keyboard navigation, or other assistive technologies
  •  Neglecting color contrast & readability: Not ensuring sufficient contrast between text and background colors, making it difficult for visually impaired users to read
  •  Overcomplicating navigation & interactions: Creating complex or confusing navigation structures that can be challenging for users with cognitive or motor disabilities
  •  Not providing alternative text for images: Failing to include descriptive alternative text for images, making it impossible for visually impaired users to understand the content
  •  Ignoring responsive design principles: Not considering different screen sizes and devices, which can hinder accessibility for users with disabilities
  •  Not providing captions or transcripts for multimedia: Not including captions or transcripts for videos or audio content, excluding users with hearing impairments
  •  Lack of focus on keyboard accessibility: Not ensuring that all interactive elements can be accessed and operated using a keyboard alone, excluding users who cannot use a mouse
  •  Not considering font size & readability: Using small font sizes or fonts that are difficult to read, making it challenging for users with visual impairments