Great design should work for everyone, which means we’ve got to think beyond visuals and consider how content is experienced by people of all abilities. Basically, accessibility should be built in from the start.
From print to digital to video, designing with accessibility in mind helps your message reach more people in more situations, whether they’re living with a disability or just trying to read your email on their phone in bright sunlight.
Start with a mindset shift
Accessibility isn’t just a checklist—it’s a way of thinking. It’s about recognizing that people consume content in all kinds of ways, and not everyone experiences the world the same. When we build with inclusion in mind, we’re creating better, more effective communication for everyone.
Accessibility supports a wide range of needs, whether they’re permanent, temporary, or situational:
- Someone with low vision or dyslexia
- A new parent juggling a baby and a screen
- Someone recovering from surgery
- A traveler dealing with loud environments or sensory overload
Designing for accessibility means making your content easier to consume—by anyone, in any context.
Accessibility in design: do this first
Good design isn’t just about what looks nice, it’s about what works for everyone. And that starts with the basics. Fonts should be easy to read – no tiny type! Contrast should be strong enough that no one has to squint or guess. Layouts should feel clean and intuitive, not crowded or confusing.
Avoid placing text over images unless the contrast is crystal clear. Don’t rely on color alone to convey meaning – use labels, icons, or patterns to back it up. And always keep reading order in mind. Build your slides or docs top-to-bottom, left-to-right, just like a book. This helps screen readers (and humans) follow along without friction.
Small design choices add up to a big difference in how people experience your content. Inclusive design is always better design.
Download our digital accessibility guide for more helpful insights.
Accessibility in video: think beyond captions
We all know captions matter. And sure, they help people who are deaf or hard of hearing, but they’re also a win for anyone watching with the sound off, multitasking, or in a noisy environment.
But video accessibility doesn’t stop there. Designing accessible videos means thinking about the full viewing experience. For example, voiceovers should be clear and easy to understand. That means no racing through the script, no overly complex language, and no background music that drowns out the narration. Keep the mix clean and intentional.
Then there’s the visual experience. If you’re showing text on screen, make sure there’s strong contrast between the text and background. Use readable fonts. Avoid placing text over busy visuals. And be cautious with effects—flashing content, fast transitions, or strobe-like motion can trigger seizures or overwhelm people with sensory sensitivities. As a general rule, don’t use anything that flashes more than three times per second.
Also, think beyond just the visuals and audio. Include transcripts for everything, and consider visual description tracks or alternative formats for people who are blind or have low vision. A short sentence describing key visuals (“The CEO smiles and points to a chart labeled ‘Year-over-year growth’”) can go a long way toward making your video inclusive.
Make it a habit
As a best practice, our advice is to be sure accessibility is part of your approach to a project from the very beginning, not a checklist you slap on at the end. And as accessibility standards continue to evolve, building in these practices from the start becomes even more essential. As technology and AI continue to advance, making your content accessible will help ensure it’s AI-ready—stay tuned for more on this important topic.
Need help making your content accessible? We’ve got you covered. Check out our accessibility services and get in touch!