Design systems are often celebrated for their ability to bring consistency, efficiency, and scalability to digital product development. But there’s another core benefit that often doesn’t get the spotlight it deserves: accessibility. When a design system is built with accessibility at its foundation, it becomes a powerful tool for inclusivity—ensuring that no user is left behind.
In this post, we’ll explore how to build accessible design system components from the ground up, why it matters, and how inclusive practices make products better for everyone.
Why Accessibility Should Be a Core Principle in Design Systems
Accessibility isn’t an add-on. It’s not a feature to be bolted on after the design is complete. It should be baked into the design system from the start. When accessibility is prioritized, everyone benefits—from people with permanent disabilities to those experiencing situational limitations like bright sunlight or slow internet connections.
By making accessibility the default rather than the exception, design systems help teams:
Avoid expensive retrofitting later
Comply with legal standards like WCAG 2.2, Section 508, and ADA
Improve UX across the board
Reach a wider audience
Demonstrate a brand’s commitment to social responsibility
Key Foundations of Accessible Design Systems
1. Semantic HTML First
The best accessibility starts with using the right HTML elements for the job. A <button> will always be more accessible than a <div> with ARIA roles trying to mimic it. Semantic elements come with built-in accessibility, focus handling, and keyboard interaction.
2. Consistent, Thoughtful Color Use
Color contrast ratios are critical. Every component should meet or exceed the minimum WCAG 2.2 guidelines:
Normal text: 4.5:1
Large text (18pt+): 3:1
UI elements and graphics: 3:1
Use tools like Contrast Checker to validate every palette and state (hover, disabled, etc.).
3. Keyboard Navigation
All interactive components—buttons, menus, modals, carousels—must be fully operable with a keyboard. This includes:
Clear tab order
Visible focus indicators
Logical keyboard behaviors (e.g., arrow keys for radio groups)
4. Robust ARIA Support (But Don’t Overdo It)
ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) can enhance accessibility where native elements fall short. But it should only be used when necessary. A good rule: Use native HTML first, then sprinkle in ARIA where needed.
Use landmarks (role="banner", role="main", etc.), labels, and live regions mindfully to improve screen reader experience.
5. Scalable Typography and Layout
Ensure your system accommodates:
User-set browser zoom and text resizing
Flexible layouts that respond well to changes in font size
Line length and spacing best practices for readability
Building Reusable Accessible Components
Here’s a breakdown of what an accessible component looks like in practice.
✅ Example: Accessible Button Component
HTML
Accessibility Checklist
Uses semantic HTML (
<button>)Includes visible focus style
Has descriptive label text (“Submit”)
Responsive to keyboard (Enter, Space)
Doesn’t rely on color alone for interaction
When you multiply this standard across all components—modals, cards, alerts, inputs, etc.—you create a holistic experience that works for everyone.
Testing for Accessibility
It’s not enough to design accessible components; you must test them.
Manual Testing
Navigate using only a keyboard (Tab, Shift+Tab, Enter, Escape, etc.)
Use a screen reader (VoiceOver, NVDA, or JAWS)
Test in high contrast mode and with zoom enabled
Automated Testing Tools
While automated tools can catch 30–50% of issues, manual testing is still crucial.
Inclusive Documentation
Documentation is part of your design system, and it should be just as accessible as your components. Best practices include:
Clear written language and structure
Examples of components with accessibility annotations
Code snippets with descriptions
Support for keyboard navigation and screen readers within the documentation site itself
Embedding Accessibility in the Design Culture
Building accessible components is only sustainable when your entire team shares the value. Here’s how to foster that:
Designers should consider contrast, hierarchy, and layout that supports all users.
Developers must write clean, semantic code and test with assistive tech.
Product Managers should include accessibility as part of definition of done.
QA needs to test for compliance just like functionality or responsiveness.
Leadership must champion inclusion as a strategic priority.
Common Pitfalls (and How to Avoid Them)
Assuming ARIA fixes everything: Use ARIA only where needed. Native HTML is more reliable.
Relying on color alone: Always use text labels or icons in addition to color changes.
Inaccessible modal dialogs: Ensure focus is trapped within the modal and returned upon close.
Lack of focus indicators: Don’t hide or override them—make them clear and visible.
Placeholder text abuse: Use labels instead of (or in addition to) placeholders for inputs.
The Future of Accessible Design Systems
As tech advances, inclusive design will evolve to embrace:
Voice interactions
Haptic feedback
AI-driven personalization that respects accessibility needs
More robust tooling for component-level accessibility audits
By investing now, your team stays ahead of legal requirements and sets a new standard for ethical design.
Conclusion: Design for Everyone, Benefit Everyone
Accessible design systems don’t just help people with disabilities. They create smoother, more intuitive experiences for all users. From faster navigation to better readability, everyone benefits when accessibility is prioritized.
Whether you’re building your first design system or refining an existing one, make accessibility a first-class citizen.
Ready to build accessible, scalable design systems that reflect your mission?
Let’s create something inclusive together. Visit montanab.com
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