Adapt products to people using assistive technologies

Assistive technologies encompass all tools that help people overcome barriers when using digital products. These range from sophisticated software like screen readers and switch controls to basic tools like keyboard shortcuts and text magnifiers. Each tool serves specific needs while often providing unexpected benefits to other users, following the curb-cut effect principle.

Digital professionals need hands-on experience with common assistive technologies to create truly accessible products. Testing your interface with VoiceOver or NVDA screen readers reveals navigation challenges. Using keyboard-only navigation exposes tab order issues and unreachable elements. These practical experiences provide insights that automated testing tools might miss.

It's also important to use accessibility testing tools to ensure that your products are accessible to all users. There are several tools available that can help identify accessibility issues, such as color contrast, font size, and alternative text for images. Some popular accessibility testing tools include Stark, AXE, and Wave.