Case Study: Integrating Accessibility Best Practices from the Start

Introduction
Accessibility is not an afterthought; it is a critical aspect of creating inclusive and user-friendly digital products. This case study explores how a travel booking platform, GlobeTrek, successfully integrated accessibility best practices throughout its project lifecycle to achieve WCAG 2.1 compliance and improve user experience.

Background: The Need for Accessibility

GlobeTrek aimed to expand its user base by ensuring the platform was accessible to users with disabilities. However, during a mid-project audit, several critical issues were identified:

1. Inconsistent screen reader navigation.
2. Poor color contrast that hindered visibility.
3. Lack of keyboard navigation for forms.

Recognizing that retrofitting accessibility late in the project would be costly and time-consuming, GlobeTrek decided to embed accessibility practices into every stage of development.

When Accessibility Practices Were Included

1. Planning Phase:
   • Set accessibility as a core project goal.
   • Allocated budget and resources for accessibility tools and training.
   • Defined success metrics for compliance, such as WCAG 2.1 AA standards.
2. Design Phase:
   • Used color palettes with adequate contrast for text and backgrounds.
   • Designed components with larger touch targets and clear focus indicators.
   • Included alt text placeholders for images in wireframes.
3. Development Phase:
   • Adopted semantic HTML for better screen reader compatibility.
   • Implemented ARIA roles for interactive elements like dropdowns and modals.
   • Integrated automated accessibility testing tools (e.g., Axe) into the development workflow.
4. Testing Phase:
   • Conducted manual and automated audits for accessibility compliance.
   • Performed usability testing with users with disabilities.
   • Fixed identified issues, such as improving keyboard navigation and form labels.
5. Post-Launch Monitoring:
   • Set up regular accessibility audits to maintain compliance as new features were added.
   • Collected user feedback to identify potential accessibility improvements.

Results

1. Improved Usability:
   Accessibility improvements benefited all users, such as better navigation and clearer content.
2. Increased Reach:
   The platform saw a 15% increase in traffic from users with assistive technologies.
3. Cost Savings:
   By addressing accessibility early, GlobeTrek reduced post-launch remediation costs by 70%.
4. Compliance Achieved:
   GlobeTrek achieved WCAG 2.1 AA certification, ensuring legal and ethical adherence.

Lessons Learned

1. Start Early: Including accessibility in the planning and design phases minimizes costly rework.
2. Educate Teams: Regular training ensures designers and developers understand best practices.
3. Involve Users: Testing with real users with disabilities provides critical insights.
4. Make Accessibility a Continuous Effort: Accessibility is not a one-time task; it requires ongoing attention.

Conclusion
GlobeTrek’s proactive approach to integrating accessibility best practices from the outset demonstrates the value of inclusive design. By prioritizing accessibility early, the company created a platform that was not only compliant but also user-friendly, scalable, and inclusive for everyone.