What is accessible design?

We understand accessible design to be an ever changing concept that is shaped by the needs and wants of marginalized communities.

Of top priority is Physical Access.  If folks are denied access to the information being communicated by design, that is the fault of the designer.  Necessary steps to facilitate physical access could look like:

• Creation of multiple and accessible formats, sizes, and focus (text vs image) of a design
• Analysis of font readability, legibility, spacing, and size
• Analysis of color contrast and readability in black and white/grayscale
• Use of non-jargon and accessible language
• Use of clear and concise alternate text
• Inclusion of trigger/content warnings
• Avoid the use of animations that are not photosensitive-user friendly
• Use of captions for anything with audio
• Inclusion of only what is needed/Exclusion of clutter

Another priority is that of Image.  The name of this service, unbodied design, stems from this priority and the ways in which representations of bodies in design uphold normative notions of how bodies exist.  Some questions considered in thinking about the image or what the design depicts include:

• Who or what is the center of the design?
• Who is left out?  How?
• What is the intention of this choice?  The impact?
• What sort of normativity is upheld?
• What sort of thought was put into the design in terms of its possible implicit messages?
• What does the image or depiction say about who the event is for or about?

Of equal importance is the priority of Communicating Accessibility of Subject.  What is the subject of the design (what the design is for)?  How is this taking accessibility into account?  How are these resources being accounted for in the design?  It is not enough to make a design accessible, nor is enough to have accessible events, businesses, services, or information.  The design must be accessible and it must honestly communicate the accessibility of the subject.

These are all factors that are considered in our design process and product.  We are always striving to center the most marginalized experiences, and always accept feedback about our work.  See contact us.

Credit to: Hel & Zoe for their help with compiling access practices pertaining to advertising and their support!