The Paradox of Good Designers and Exclusive Designs
We all know that designers are inherently good people. I've never met a designer who would openly say, “I don't care if someone can't read this text,” or “It's not my fault if someone can't use this interface.” Yet, we've all witnessed websites and apps that leave people struggling—unable to read text, use a device, or navigate a service. This contradiction is the core of a persistent problem in our field. The intentions are there, but the outcomes often fall short.
Why Accessibility Is a Matter of Life and Death
You might ask, “Is it really that serious?” The answer is a resounding yes. In an essay titled This Is All There Is, Aral Balkan argues that almost every design decision can influence life or death events. Even something as routine as a bus timetable app, if poorly designed, could cause someone to miss a daughter's fifth birthday party—or worse, miss the chance to say goodbye to a dying grandmother. Accessibility isn't just a nice-to-have; it's a fundamental responsibility.
Why Exclusions Persist: The Problem of Information Overload
The frustrating follow-up question is: if we know that people have varying abilities (vision, hearing, cognition, movement), why do we still design exclusions? I believe the answer lies in the sheer volume of information designers are expected to hold in memory. Consider all the topics covered by resources like A List Apart: from UX trends to coding best practices, plus accessibility guidelines, and more. It's simply too much for any one person to recall while designing. As a result, even well-intentioned designers can overlook critical accessibility aspects.
A Heuristic Solution: Applying 'Recognition Rather Than Recall' to Designers
Jakob Nielsen’s 10 Usability Heuristics, introduced in the mid-1990s, offer a way forward. Heuristic № 6, “Recognition rather than Recall,” states that users should not have to remember information from one part of the interface to another; it should be visible or easily retrievable. I propose we adapt this heuristic for designers. Instead of expecting designers to recall every accessibility rule, let's make that information visible and easily retrievable during the design process itself.
Adapting Nielsen's Usability Heuristics for Accessibility
One practical approach is to create design environments where accessibility cues are embedded. For example, tools that flag low-contrast text or missing alt text in real time. Another is to use checklists and reference cards that are always at hand. I highly recommend the book A Web for Everyone—Designing Accessible User Experiences by Sarah Horton and Whitney Quesenbery, which provides actionable strategies. By shifting from recall to recognition, we can reduce cognitive load and make inclusive design a natural part of the workflow.
Moving Forward
Designers are good people with good intentions. But good intentions alone aren't enough. By acknowledging the overload and applying heuristics like “Recognition rather than Recall” to our own process, we can bridge the gap between our intentions and the inclusive experiences users deserve. Let's make accessibility less about remembering rules and more about seeing them when it matters.