Accessibility Requirements

Accessibility requirements define the standards that design system components must meet to ensure usability for people with disabilities. Clear accessibility requirements establish compliance expectations and embed accessibility into the design system from the foundation.

What Are Accessibility Requirements

Accessibility requirements specify the accessibility standards that design system components must achieve. These requirements typically reference established guidelines like WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) and specify the compliance level required, commonly AA or AAA.

Accessibility requirements in design systems carry significant leverage. Because design system components are used across many applications, accessible components enable accessible products at scale. Conversely, inaccessible components propagate accessibility barriers across every application using them.

How Accessibility Requirements Work

Compliance level requirements specify which WCAG level components must meet. Level A addresses the most critical accessibility barriers. Level AA, the most common target, addresses additional barriers that significantly affect users. Level AAA provides the highest accessibility but may not be achievable for all content types.

Technical requirements translate compliance levels into specific implementation expectations. Components must support keyboard navigation. Focus management must follow established patterns. Color contrast must meet minimum ratios. ARIA attributes must be used correctly. Screen reader announcements must be meaningful.

Testing requirements specify how accessibility gets verified. Automated testing catches detectable violations. Manual testing addresses aspects automation cannot assess. User testing with assistive technologies provides real-world validation. Clear testing requirements ensure accessibility receives appropriate verification.

Documentation requirements ensure accessibility characteristics are communicated. Components should document supported keyboard interactions, ARIA usage, and any accessibility considerations consumers should understand. This documentation helps consumers maintain accessibility in their implementations.

Key Considerations

• Requirements should reference recognized standards rather than inventing custom criteria
• Automated testing catches only a portion of accessibility issues
• User testing with assistive technologies provides essential validation
• Requirements should apply consistently across all components
• Exceptions should be rare and well-justified

Common Questions

What compliance level should design systems target?

WCAG AA represents the most common target, balancing comprehensive accessibility with practical achievability. Some organizations target AAA for specific criteria. Legal requirements in various jurisdictions often reference AA compliance. Organizations should understand their legal obligations and user needs when setting targets.

How do organizations verify accessibility compliance?

Verification combines multiple approaches. Automated tools scan for detectable violations during development and review. Manual testing by trained evaluators catches issues automation misses. User testing with actual assistive technology users provides real-world validation. Comprehensive verification requires all three approaches.

What happens when existing components do not meet requirements?

Organizations establishing new accessibility requirements often face gaps in existing components. Remediation plans should prioritize high-impact components. Transition periods allow time for updates without blocking all development. Clear communication helps consumers understand when fixes will arrive.

Summary

Accessibility requirements establish compliance standards that design system components must meet. Success requires clear standards, comprehensive testing, and consistent enforcement. Organizations should treat accessibility requirements as fundamental rather than optional, recognizing the scaled impact of design system accessibility.