Designing for Accessibility: The Non-Negotiable Element of Modern Design Systems

You’ll hear this a lot from us: accessibility isn't a feature—it's a fundamental requirement. Let’s break down why modern design systems must incorporate accessibility from the ground up, ensuring that digital products are usable by everyone, regardless of their abilities or circumstances.

The Business Case for Accessibility

Beyond the ethical imperative, accessible design is a legal requirement in many jurisdictions. The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) provide clear standards, with AA compliance being the widely accepted minimum for business applications. While AAA offers the highest level of accessibility, AA strikes a practical balance between inclusivity and implementation complexity.

Core Requirements for WCAG Compliance

• Contrast ratios of at least 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text (AA standard)
• Touch targets minimum of 44x44 pixels
• Clear heading hierarchy and semantic HTML structure
• Keyboard navigation support for all interactive elements
• Alternative text for images and meaningful aria-labels

Tools and Automation

Modern accessibility workflows benefit from powerful tools that automate testing and validation:

• Stark: Integrated into design tools like Figma and Sketch, providing real-time contrast checking, colorblindness simulation, and touch target validation
• WAVE: Browser-based testing for WCAG compliance
• Axe: Automated accessibility testing for development workflows

Design System Components

A truly accessible design system must include:

• Pre-validated color palettes that meet WCAG AA standards
• Typography scales with sufficient contrast ratios
• Component libraries with built-in ARIA labels and keyboard interactions
• Documentation for proper implementation of accessible features

Beyond Compliance

True accessibility goes beyond checklist compliance. Design systems should embrace inclusive design principles that consider diverse user needs from conception. This means:

• Supporting multiple input methods (touch, keyboard, voice)
• Providing clear feedback for all interactions
• Maintaining consistency in navigation and interaction patterns
• Ensuring content is readable and understandable at different zoom levels

In sum, accessibility isn't a one-time effort—it requires ongoing testing, validation, and refinement. As design systems evolve, accessibility considerations must remain at the forefront of every decision, ensuring that digital products truly serve all users, not just the majority.