As a product designer, my job is to create intuitive, beautiful, and functional digital experiences. But here’s the truth: a design isn’t truly great unless it’s accessible.

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Accessibility isn’t a trend or a box to check—it’s the foundation of an inclusive, user-friendly web. And yet, many digital products still exclude people with disabilities, whether unintentionally or due to a lack of prioritization.

I’ve always cared about accessibility, but attending Axe-Con 2025, the world’s largest digital accessibility conference, was a wake-up call. The conversations, statistics, and real-world experiences shared at the event reinforced something I already knew: we need to do better.

This isn’t just about compliance—it’s about people. And if we want to build a better web, we need to act now.

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Accessibility Is a Design Responsibility—Not an Afterthought

One of the most powerful moments of Axe-Con was hearing Alice Wong, a disability rights advocate, say:

“Ableism is built into our digital world—we must actively dismantle it.”

That hit hard. Because it’s true. The web wasn’t originally designed for everyone—it was designed for the majority. For people who can see well, hear well, use a mouse, and process information in a predictable way.

But here’s the reality:

• 1 in 6 people worldwide has a disability.
• 300M+ people experience some form of color blindness.
• 30% of users are sensitive to motion effects.
• Over 1 billion people are 60+ years old and may struggle with small text, low contrast, or complex interfaces.

If we’re not actively designing for these users, we’re excluding them. And exclusion isn’t just bad UX—it’s a failure of empathy.

AI and Automation Can Help—But They’re Not Enough

One of the biggest discussions at Axe-Con was around AI in accessibility. Tools like Axe DevTools and Google Lighthouse can flag common issues like:

✅ Missing alt text
✅ Poor color contrast
✅ Keyboard traps
✅ Misuse of ARIA roles

But here’s the catch:

“AI must be harnessed to empower, not exclude, individuals with disabilities.”

AI is great at detecting technical accessibility issues, but it can’t replace human testing.

🚨 AI won’t tell you if an alt text description actually makes sense.
🚨 AI won’t catch complex usability barriers that affect real users.
🚨 AI won’t ensure a frictionless experience for someone using a screen reader or voice navigation.

We can’t automate our way out of accessibility. Real users need to be part of the process.

Legal Risks Are Growing

If the ethical argument doesn’t convince you, the legal one might. The legal landscape is shifting fast, and businesses that ignore accessibility are paying the price.

📌 4,000+ accessibility lawsuits were filed last year.
📌 20% of those lawsuits targeted repeat offenders.
📌 25% of the sites sued relied on overlays that failed usability tests.

Many companies still take a reactive approach, fixing accessibility issues only after they get sued. Others rely on overlays—those "quick fix" widgets that promise instant accessibility but rarely deliver.

The reality? If accessibility isn’t built into your product, you’re at risk.

The Most Practical Accessibility Tips I Learned at Axe-Con

The most valuable session for me was Vitaly Friedman’s “Inclusive Design Patterns for 2025.” His advice wasn’t about theory—it was about real, actionable improvements we can implement today.

Here are three key takeaways:

1. Stop Designing for Color Perfection—Start Designing for Color Deficiency

With 300M+ people experiencing color blindness, relying on color alone to convey meaning is a critical UX mistake.

✅ Use icons, labels, or patterns in addition to color.
✅ Avoid red-green and blue-yellow combinations.
✅ Test designs using WhoCanUse.com to check visibility for all users.

A simple border, underline, or shape change can make all the difference.

2. Motion Effects Need to Be Optional—Not Mandatory

About 30% of users experience motion sickness from over-the-top animations, yet designers often use auto-scrolling, parallax effects, and flashy transitions without thinking twice.

Friedman’s advice?

✅ Respect users’ “prefers-reduced-motion” settings in CSS.
✅ Avoid scroll hijacking and unexpected animations.
✅ Provide a “Reduce Motion” toggle in settings.

Motion should enhance, not overwhelm.

3. Designing for Older Users Makes Digital Experiences Better for Everyone

With over 1 billion people aged 60+, age-related accessibility issues are now a mainstream UX concern. But the good news? When we design for older users, we improve usability for everyone.

✅ Increase text size and ensure proper contrast for readability.
✅ Make touch targets bigger (minimum 44x44px).
✅ Position error messages clearly (no disappearing tooltips).

These aren’t just accessibility improvements—they’re good UX for all users.

The industry is changing. The laws are tightening. Users expect more. And as designers and developers, we have the power to create an internet that truly works for everyone.

As Jim LeBrecht put it:

“Accessibility is not a feature; it’s a social movement.”

The real question isn’t if we should prioritize accessibility. It’s how soon we can start making real changes.

How I’m Applying These Lessons

Axe-Con reinforced my belief that accessibility isn’t a one-time project—it’s an ongoing commitment. Moving forward, here’s what I’m prioritizing:

✔ Advocating for accessibility in every project.
✔ Running usability tests with real users, not just AI audits.
✔ Continuing to learn, adapt, and push for better standards.

If you’re a designer, developer, or product owner, I encourage you to do the same.

Interested? Start Here.

🔹 Check your site with Axe DevTools to identify common issues.
🔹 Read the WCAG Guidelines to understand accessibility standards.
🔹 Test your designs with real users, not just automation.

The best accessibility improvements are the ones you actually make.