{"id":11879,"date":"2025-04-01T07:30:43","date_gmt":"2025-04-01T07:30:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.uxdesigninstitute.com\/blog\/?p=11879"},"modified":"2025-05-26T11:30:18","modified_gmt":"2025-05-26T11:30:18","slug":"designing-for-accessibility-course","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.uxdesigninstitute.com\/blog\/designing-for-accessibility-course\/","title":{"rendered":"Introducing the Professional Certificate in Designing for Accessibility"},"content":{"rendered":"

A new era of digital accessibility is upon us. With the <\/span>European Accessibility Act (EAA)<\/b> enforcement deadline fast approaching on <\/span>June 28, 2025<\/b>, organisations across Europe – and any company doing business in the EU – must ensure their digital products are accessible to people with disabilities.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In response to this pivotal shift, we\u2019re launching the <\/span>Professional Certificate in Designing for Accessibility<\/b> in April, an essential course for product and design teams working in companies with exposure to the EU.<\/span><\/p>\n\n

Why accessibility matters more than ever<\/b><\/h2>\n

Accessibility isn\u2019t just about compliance, it\u2019s about creating better experiences for everyone. Designing with accessibility in mind means removing barriers, improving usability and ensuring that digital products work for people of all abilities. It enhances the user experience for a broader audience, drives innovation and fosters inclusivity. <\/span><\/p>\n

Common accessibility issues<\/b><\/h2>\n

Accessibility issues often hide in plain sight. Here are three common problems you might encounter on your website or app, ranging from simple fixes to more complex ones:<\/span><\/p>\n

1. Poor colour contrast<\/strong>
\nText that looks fine to you might be unreadable for someone with vision impairments. Light grey text on a white background, for example, can fail accessibility guidelines, making your content inaccessible for millions of users.
\nFix level<\/strong>: Easy \u2013 often just a tweak to your design system.<\/p>\n

2.<\/strong> Inaccessible forms<\/strong>
\nForms are everywhere on the internet. We use them to create passwords, tell people our home address and make payments. But if a form field doesn\u2019t have a visible label or proper instructions for screen readers, someone using assistive tech may not know what they\u2019re meant to input. This could mean they can\u2019t complete tasks like signing up or checking out.
\nFix level<\/strong>: Moderate \u2013 needs both design and development work.<\/p>\n

3. Keyboard traps<\/strong>
\nMany users navigate with a keyboard rather than a mouse. If your website or app includes elements that can\u2019t be accessed or dismissed with a keyboard (like pop-ups or modals), you\u2019re creating a frustrating – and sometimes impassable – barrier for many users.
\nFix level<\/strong>: More complex \u2013 usually requires developer intervention and thorough testing.<\/p>\n

Understanding the regulations<\/b><\/h2>\n

The <\/span>European Accessibility Act (EAA)<\/b> is a landmark piece of legislation. It applies not only to companies based in the <\/span>European Economic Area <\/b>but also to any organisation that sells products or services within the EU. The act covers a wide range of digital services, including websites, mobile applications, e-commerce platforms and software tools.<\/span><\/p>\n

Beyond the EAA, the course will also cover the <\/span>Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)<\/b>. This is the globally recognised standard for digital accessibility, providing best practices for ensuring web and app content is perceivable, operable, understandable and robust.<\/span><\/p>\n

By understanding these regulations, professionals will gain confidence in designing products that comply with legal requirements.<\/span><\/p>\n

What makes this course unique?<\/b><\/h2>\n

Here are some reasons why we think you should consider taking the course:<\/span><\/p>\n