The Wake-Up Call
A client needed WCAG compliance for enterprise sales.
We'd ignored accessibility. Badly.
Here's what we learned.
Why It Matters
1. It's the Law
ADA. Section 508. WCAG compliance.
Enterprise clients require it.
2. It's Good UX
Accessible design helps everyone.
Clear navigation. Good contrast. Keyboard support.
3. It's Often Ignored
Most SaaS products fail basic accessibility.
Doing it right differentiates you.
The Basics
1. Color Contrast
Text must be readable against background.
4.5:1 for normal text. 3:1 for large text.
Use contrast checkers.
2. Keyboard Navigation
All functionality via keyboard.
Tab order makes sense. Focus states visible.
3. Alt Text
All images have descriptions.
Screen readers need this.
4. Form Labels
Labels associated with inputs.
Not placeholder text. Actual labels.
The Checklist
- Color contrast meets standards
- Keyboard navigation works
- Alt text on images
- Form labels present
- Focus states visible
- No auto-playing media
- Error messages are clear
The Tools
- WAVE. A11y. Lighthouse.
Run audits early. Fix issues.
The Honest Take
Accessibility isn't optional.
Do it from the start. Retrofit is painful.
It's good UX. It's often required. Do it.
