In today’s digitally connected world, accessibility has emerged as a non-negotiable element in software design and development. With emerging global standards and increasing demand for inclusive digital experiences, The Digital Alchemist—a leader in tech consultancy—has compiled powerful insights into creating accessible software. Whether you are a developer, product manager, UX designer, or digital strategist, understanding these key accessibility tenets is essential to building equitable and successful digital products.
TL;DR: Making software accessible is not just a legal or ethical obligation—it also improves user experience, engagement, and retention. The Digital Alchemist recommends prioritizing semantic design, leveraging assistive technologies, and following universal accessibility standards. They also emphasize proactive testing techniques and the power of inclusive design-thinking. Embracing these insights can significantly reduce barriers and promote usability across diverse user groups.
1. Embrace Semantic HTML and ARIA Appropriately
Semantic HTML is the foundational layer of accessible web applications. According to The Digital Alchemist, developers often underestimate how powerful native HTML markup can be in supporting screen readers and keyboard-only users. Tags such as <nav>, <main>, <article>, and <footer> provide contextual landmarks that assistive technologies rely on.
Additionally, while ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) attributes can increase accessibility, they should not be misused. Overuse or incorrect implementation can actually make applications more confusing to screen readers.
Key Practices:
- Use semantic elements over
<div>and<span>whenever possible. - Apply ARIA roles and labels only when there are no native HTML equivalents.
- Regularly audit code for unnecessary or conflicting ARIA attributes.
2. Prioritize Keyboard Navigation from the Start
One of the most overlooked insights from The Digital Alchemist is that clear, navigable interfaces using only a keyboard are among the strongest indicators of good accessibility. This user group includes not only those with disabilities but also power users and individuals with temporary limiting conditions.
Accessible interfaces should allow users to:
- Move logically between elements using keys like Tab and Shift + Tab.
- Activate buttons, links, and controls using Enter or Space.
- Receive visible focus indicators that make navigation intuitive.
Implementing this from the beginning avoids cumbersome refactoring later and creates a seamless experience for all users.
3. Incorporate Inclusive Design Thinking
The Digital Alchemist urges teams to reframe their design processes using inclusive design principles. This goes beyond templates and into the mindset of creating for diversity—from cognitive load considerations to motion sensitivity.
Best-in-Class Design Approaches Include:
- Text alternatives for all visual or audio content.
- Flexible color schemes optimized for contrast sensitivity.
- Language that avoids jargon or culture-specific idioms.
- Animations that are optional or can be minimized by user preference settings.
Embedding inclusive design into every step—from user personas to testing—ensures better experiences for everyone.
4. Use Automated Tools, But Don’t Rely on Them Alone
Automated accessibility testing tools like Axe, Lighthouse, and WAVE are incredibly useful for finding low-hanging fruits like missing alt text or improper heading order. However, The Digital Alchemist cautions against over-reliance on these tools, as they can typically detect only 20–30% of potential accessibility issues.
Manual testing—using screen readers, color contrast checkers, and keyboard-only navigation—is irreplaceable. It uncovers hidden issues in dynamic content, focus management, live regions, and interactive controls.
Recommended Practices:
- Use automated tools during peer code reviews and CI pipelines.
- Assign team members to perform monthly manual audits using real assistive technologies.
- Build accessibility testing into sprint deliverables.
5. Build a Culture of Accessibility Awareness in Teams
Accessibility isn’t a one-time checklist—it’s a long-term commitment from every individual in the organization. According to The Digital Alchemist, the most accessible software is produced by teams where every member, from engineering to content creation, understands and values inclusive design.
To Foster Accessibility Culture:
- Provide ongoing training and workshops tailored to different roles.
- Appoint an Accessibility Champion who advocates for best practices within each product pod.
- Celebrate success stories where accessibility helped real users navigate your platform better.
6. Understand International Accessibility Compliance Standards
Accessibility doesn’t just affect your brand reputation—it can carry legal implications. The Digital Alchemist emphasizes the importance of aligning with global standards, especially as technology becomes more regulated worldwide.
Main Compliance Frameworks to Follow:
- WCAG 2.1/2.2: The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines are the cornerstone of web accessibility. Aim for at least Level AA compliance.
- ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act): For U.S.-based services, this acts as a legal foundation for digital accessibility enforcement.
- EN 301 549: Required for public sector websites in the European Union.
Ignoring these standards not only risks litigation but also alienates a sizable portion of your user base. Compliance should be a guiding standard, not a reactive measure.
7. Don’t Forget Mobile Accessibility
Over 50% of global internet usage now happens on mobile devices. Yet many teams treat mobile accessibility as a secondary priority. The Digital Alchemist recommends integrating mobile considerations into early development cycles.
Key Mobile-Friendly Practices:
- Ensure sufficient touch targets—aim for at least 44×44 pixels.
- Use voice control technologies like VoiceOver (iOS) or TalkBack (Android) during testing.
- Support dynamic text resizing and screen orientation changes.
- Avoid fixed-position elements that obscure important interactions.
Accessible mobile design improves interaction for all users, especially those in motion or multitasking environments.
8. Start with Accessibility, Not Retrofit It
One of the cardinal insights from The Digital Alchemist is that accessibility is exponentially easier and more cost-effective when incorporated from day one. Retrofitting accessible features into fully developed applications can be time-intensive and prone to error.
Why “Accessibility First” Matters:
- Eliminates technical debt tied to poorly designed UI/UX early on.
- Helps catch usability flaws that affect all users—not just those with impairments.
- Inspires innovation as designers think creatively about user interactions and constraints.
Teams that start with accessibility often find their products are not only more inclusive but also perform better due to enhanced usability, better performance, and reduced abandonment rates.
Conclusion: Accessibility Is Innovation, Not Limitation
The takeaway from The Digital Alchemist’s top insights is clear: accessibility should not be boxed into checkboxes or compliance documents. It is a core innovation strategy—driving better design, enhanced usability, stronger user retention, and legal resilience.
By embedding accessible design at every level of the development pipeline and nurturing a supportive team culture, your software becomes not just usable, but universally empowering. Whether you’re building your next SaaS feature or replatforming an enterprise application, start with accessibility and you’ll be leading, not chasing, the digital future.
