How do you ensure accessibility in complex systems?

Accessibility is not only a legal requirement, but also a moral and business imperative for complex systems. Complex systems are those that involve multiple components, interactions, and users, such as websites, apps, software, or hardware. In this article, you will learn how to ensure accessibility in complex systems by following some best practices and principles.

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1 Understand your users

The first step to ensure accessibility in complex systems is to understand your users and their needs, preferences, and challenges. You can do this by conducting user research, such as interviews, surveys, personas, scenarios, and usability testing. User research will help you identify the different types of users, their goals, their contexts, and their barriers to access your system. You can also use tools like Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) and Accessible Rich Internet Applications (ARIA) to evaluate the accessibility of your system and identify areas for improvement.

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Alphan Arseven

IT Business Relationship Manager | Change Manager | Program Manager | Startup Mentor | ToBeWriter | ExCoder | ExMSFT
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While conducting a user research or collecting requirements we often tend to compartmentalise business functions and get few samples from a large data set. Like a branch office of a financial institution. Never assume that all branches are functioning similar or have same issues and needs. If you would just select random few branches and do the interviews, the result set of your conclusions might be well off for some of the users. A classic approach like grouping the branches into small-medium-large entities might be not always the correct thing to do. Look for other possible properties which can give you a better set. Which types of customers those branches are serving, is the branch's average tenure for employees low or high etc.

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2 Design for inclusivity

The second step to ensure accessibility in complex systems is to design for inclusivity, which means creating a system that can be used by the widest possible range of users, regardless of their abilities, disabilities, or situations. You can do this by applying universal design principles, such as simplicity, flexibility, consistency, feedback, and tolerance. You can also use accessibility patterns, such as keyboard navigation, color contrast, text alternatives, captions, transcripts, and labels. Designing for inclusivity will help you create a system that is easy to use, understand, and adapt for everyone.

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Maneesh Prabhalayam

Technical Lead at Cisco | Elevating Networking Product Experiences 🌐 | Focused on Cisco ISE & AI Endpoint Analytics
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Start with empathy. Put yourself in the shoes of users with diverse abilities and experiences. Understand their needs, challenges, and preferences. This deep empathy will be your guiding light in creating inclusive designs that resonate with everyone.

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3 Test and iterate

The third step to ensure accessibility in complex systems is to test and iterate, which means evaluating your system with real users and making changes based on their feedback and performance. You can do this by conducting accessibility testing, such as automated testing, manual testing, expert reviews, and user testing. Accessibility testing will help you find and fix any accessibility issues, errors, or gaps in your system. You can also use tools like screen readers, magnifiers, keyboards, and voice assistants to test your system from different perspectives and scenarios. Testing and iterating will help you improve your system and ensure it meets the accessibility standards and expectations of your users.

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Maneesh Prabhalayam

Technical Lead at Cisco | Elevating Networking Product Experiences 🌐 | Focused on Cisco ISE & AI Endpoint Analytics
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Engaging users with disabilities in testing and feedback processes will provide real-world insights into accessibility challenges. They can identify barriers and usability issues that might be overlooked by developers.

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4 Communicate and document

The fourth step to ensure accessibility in complex systems is to communicate and document, which means sharing your accessibility goals, strategies, and results with your team and stakeholders. You can do this by creating an accessibility statement, a document that explains the accessibility features, benefits, and limitations of your system. You can also create an accessibility report, a document that summarizes the accessibility testing methods, findings, and recommendations of your system. Communicating and documenting will help you raise awareness, accountability, and credibility for your accessibility efforts and outcomes.

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5 Learn and update

The fifth step to ensure accessibility in complex systems is to learn and update, which means keeping up with the latest accessibility trends, technologies, and best practices. You can do this by following accessibility blogs, podcasts, newsletters, and communities. You can also attend accessibility events, workshops, courses, and certifications. Learning and updating will help you stay informed, inspired, and motivated to make your system more accessible and inclusive for your users.

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6 Evaluate and celebrate

The sixth and final step to ensure accessibility in complex systems is to evaluate and celebrate, which means measuring the impact and value of your accessibility work and recognizing your achievements and challenges. You can do this by using accessibility metrics, such as user satisfaction, retention, conversion, engagement, and loyalty. You can also use accessibility awards, badges, or certificates to showcase your accessibility excellence and leadership. Evaluating and celebrating will help you demonstrate the benefits, outcomes, and opportunities of accessibility for your system, your users, and your organization.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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How do you ensure accessibility in complex systems?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Understand your users

2 Design for inclusivity

3 Test and iterate

4 Communicate and document

5 Learn and update

6 Evaluate and celebrate

7 Here’s what else to consider

User Experience

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How do you ensure accessibility in complex systems?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Understand your users

2 Design for inclusivity

3 Test and iterate

4 Communicate and document

5 Learn and update

6 Evaluate and celebrate

7 Here’s what else to consider

User Experience

Rate this article

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