A11Y Project

What Is A11Y Project?

The A11Y Project is a community-driven resource in the Design category that provides education and guidelines on web accessibility. It focuses on the fundamentals and principles of accessible design, drawing from the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) to help designers and developers create inclusive digital experiences. As a free tool, the A11Y Projectfits into the early stages of the design workflow, supporting teams in understanding accessibility requirements before implementation.

What A11Y Project Does

• Offers a self-paced workshop on testing accessibility, covering principles and patterns from design to deployment.
• Provides an introduction to web accessibility through videos and explanations of how people use computing devices.
• Includes an accessibility audit checklist based on WCAG, targeting level A and AA concerns.
• Supports community contributions with resources from researchers, designers, and engineers on accessibility topics.
• Presents guidelines covering WCAG levels A, AA, and AAA, addressing text, contrast, appearance, animations, and touch interfaces.
• Facilitates learning about perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust content principles.

How A11Y Project Can Be Used

• Designers reference the A11Y Projectchecklist during wireframing to ensure elements like focus order and keyboard navigation are planned early.
• Developers conduct audits using the WCAG-based checklist to identify issues in prototypes, such as missing alt text or poor contrast.
• Teams incorporate the workshop materials into design reviews to test for operability, including keyboard-only navigation and screen reader compatibility.
• Project leads use introductory resources to onboard new members, explaining diversity in user needs like visual impairments or motor disabilities.
• Accessibility specialists apply guidelines to evaluate animations and forms, ensuring they meet WCAG success criteria across devices.

Who Is A11Y Project For?

The A11Y Project serves designers, developers, and researchers focused on web accessibility in their projects. It suits beginners learning core principles as well as experienced professionals auditing designs for WCAG compliance. Roles in UI/UX design, front-end development, and standards contribution benefit from its resources, particularly for inclusive digital products targeting diverse user abilities. Visit A11Y Project