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Design Academy My progress

Stage 9 · Core · Intermediate

Accessibility and inclusive design

Design products that work for disabled people and, as a result, for everyone.

  • 12 lessons
  • about 5 h 50 min of reading and practice
  • in writing

Nothing to track yet. Lessons appear here as they are written.

About this stage

Accessibility is part of quality, not an extra. This stage covers how disabled people use technology, what WCAG asks for, and the practical design decisions that make interfaces usable with keyboards, screen readers, magnification and cognitive support.

Passing an automated checker is not the same as being accessible. You will learn what automated tools can and cannot detect.

Before this stage Stage 1: Visual design fundamentals, Stage 7: Interaction design and prototyping

Learning outcomes

  • Explain WCAG principles and conformance levels accurately.
  • Design for keyboard, screen reader, zoom and motor accessibility.
  • Write accessible form labels, errors, instructions and alternative text.
  • Test with tools and manual checks, and know the limits of automated testing.

Lessons

The lessons in this stage are being written. Lessons marked “In writing” are listed so you can see the full scope; they are never counted towards your progress. The resource library and glossary cover these topics in the meantime.

  1. Disability models and inclusive design In writing

    Permanent, temporary and situational disability.

    In writing 30 min

  2. WCAG concepts and conformance levels In writing

    POUR, success criteria and A, AA, AAA.

    In writing 35 min

  3. Contrast and colour-independent communication In writing

    Never relying on colour alone.

    In writing 25 min

  4. Keyboard navigation and focus management In writing

    Focus order, visible focus and traps.

    In writing 35 min

  5. Screen readers and semantic structure In writing

    Headings, landmarks and accessible names.

    In writing 35 min

  6. Accessible forms, errors, labels and instructions In writing

    Forms everyone can complete.

    In writing 35 min

  7. Target size and motor accessibility In writing

    Targets, spacing and alternatives to gestures.

    In writing 20 min

  8. Cognitive accessibility and plain language In writing

    Reducing memory load and confusion.

    In writing 30 min

  9. Captions and alternative text In writing

    Describing images and media.

    In writing 25 min

  10. Responsive zoom and reflow In writing

    Designing for 400% zoom and large text.

    In writing 20 min

  11. Accessibility testing tools In writing

    Checkers, screen readers and manual review.

    In writing 30 min

  12. Common accessibility failures and how to fix them In writing

    The problems that appear on almost every site.

    In writing 30 min