Web Accessibility for Designers

Description

Great Design Includes Everyone

Every day, designers make decisions that affect whether people can successfully use digital products.

The colors you choose.
The contrast between text and background.
The clarity of button labels.
How focus moves through a page.
Whether forms are easy to complete.
How a modal opens and closes.

These are not just design choices—they are accessibility decisions.

Web Accessibility for Designers is built for UX designers, UI designers, product designers, visual designers, freelancers, and teams who want to stop treating accessibility as an afterthought and start building it into the design process from the first sketch.

No coding required.
No confusing jargon.
Just practical skills you can apply immediately.

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Why This Course Matters

1.3 Billion

People worldwide live with a disability.

96%+

Homepages still have detectable accessibility issues.

Huge Business Impact

Accessible design improves usability, conversions, retention, SEO, and customer trust.

Accessibility is no longer optional—it is now a design standard.

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What You’ll Learn

By the end of this course, you’ll know how to design experiences that are usable, compliant, and inclusive.

Accessibility Foundations

• Understand disabilities and how people use the web
• Learn the POUR principles in practical design terms
• Recognize barriers caused by common design patterns

WCAG for Designers

• Apply WCAG 2.1 and 2.2 Level AA in everyday work
• Understand contrast, focus, spacing, headings, forms, labels, targets, and navigation

Color & Visual Design

• Design accessible color systems
• Test contrast ratios confidently
• Design beyond color-only communication
• Understand color blindness considerations

Structure & Navigation

• Create clear heading hierarchies
• Design landmarks and page structure
• Improve wayfinding and readability

Keyboard & Focus Design

• Design visible focus indicators
• Ensure keyboard-friendly interactions
• Create accessible navigation patterns

Forms & Inputs

• Labels, instructions, hints, and errors
• Recovery flows and validation states
• Better conversion-focused accessible forms

Motion & Interaction

• Safe animation principles
• Reduced motion preferences
• Focus management for modals and overlays

Content Design

• Plain language principles
• Link naming best practices
• Alt text, captions, transcripts

Design Systems & Handoff

• Accessibility tokens
• Component documentation
• Keyboard interaction notes
• Better developer collaboration

Testing Your Designs

• Keyboard walkthroughs
• Basic screen reader checks
• Automated testing tools
• Accessibility review workflows

Legal & Business Context

• ADA
• European Accessibility Act
• Equality Act
• VPAT basics
• Accessibility statements

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Full Curriculum – 12 Structured Modules

Module 1: Foundations of Accessibility

Understanding inclusion, barriers, and core principles.

Module 2: Understanding Disabilities

Visual, auditory, motor, cognitive, and situational needs.

Module 3: Color & Contrast

Ratios, palettes, simulation tools, and communication patterns.

Module 4: Semantic Structure

Headings, navigation hierarchy, and readable layouts.

Module 5: Focus & Keyboard Navigation

Designing for keyboard and alternative input users.

Module 6: Spacing, Zoom & Reflow

Low-vision friendly responsive layouts.

Module 7: Forms & Error Handling

Labels, validation, messaging, and recovery flows.

Module 8: Motion & Focus Management

Animation safety and overlays.

Module 9: Content Design

Plain language, media alternatives, naming clarity.

Module 10: Design Systems & Handoff

Scalable accessibility across teams.

Module 11: Testing & Auditing

Keyboard, screen readers, and automated tools.

Module 12: Compliance & Culture

Regulations, policies, governance, and business case.

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What’s Included

60 Practical Lessons

Structured, easy-to-follow training.

Real Exercises

Hands-on tasks based on real products.

Module Quizzes

Check understanding and reinforce learning.

Checklists & Templates

Reusable tools for daily design work.

WCAG Design Guides

Understand standards in designer language.

Testing Guides

Keyboard walkthroughs, screen reader basics, and review workflows.

Certificate of Completion

Showcase your learning internally, on LinkedIn, or with clients.

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This Course Is Perfect For

• UX Designers
• UI Designers
• Product Designers
• Visual Designers
• Freelancers
• Design Students
• Product Managers
• Team Leads
• Agencies building client websites or apps

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This Course Is Not Ideal For

• Developers seeking code-level ARIA implementation
• Advanced accessibility specialists seeking expert certification prep
• Auditors needing highly technical testing-only methodology

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Prerequisites

None.

You do not need prior accessibility knowledge.

Experience with tools like Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, or similar is helpful—but not required.

Everything is explained in clear design language without needing HTML, CSS, or JavaScript.

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Why Learn With DigitalA11Y University

DigitalA11Y has educated thousands of professionals worldwide through trusted accessibility resources, guides, and training.

This course brings that expertise into a structured learning experience built specifically for designers.

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What You’ll Be Able To Do After Completion

• Design more inclusive digital products
• Reduce accessibility issues before development starts
• Collaborate better with developers and QA teams
• Improve usability for everyone
• Add accessibility expertise to your CV or portfolio
• Become a stronger, more future-ready designer

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Start Designing for Everyone

Accessibility is one of the most valuable modern design skills.

Build products that work better, reach more people, and stand out professionally.

Enroll Today