Building Accessible Design Systems

January 15, 2024

Building Accessible Design Systems

Creating truly inclusive design systems requires more than just following WCAG guidelines. Let's explore how to bake accessibility into your design system from the ground up.

Why Accessibility Matters

Design systems serve as the foundation for digital products. When we prioritize accessibility at this level, we ensure that all downstream applications inherit these inclusive practices.

Key Principles

  1. Semantic HTML: Always start with proper HTML structure
  2. ARIA attributes: Use them sparingly and only when necessary
  3. Keyboard navigation: Ensure all components are fully operable without a mouse
  4. Color contrast: Build a color system that meets WCAG 2.1 standards

Implementation Tips

  • Test components with screen readers during development
  • Include accessibility requirements in component documentation
  • Provide clear guidelines for component implementation