Accessibility
Accessibility
The state in which anyone can use services and information regardless of age or disability
In Simple Terms
Accessibility means that everyone can use a service or product without barriers, regardless of age or physical condition. It goes beyond simple ease of use—it's about whether something can be used at all. This includes keyboard-only navigation for people who can't use a mouse, or adding captions to videos. It's not just for people with disabilities—it also helps elderly users who struggle with small text, or anyone temporarily unable to use their hands. Accessibility is an essential consideration when building websites and apps.
Behind the Name
"Accessibility" traces back to the word "Access," carrying the senses of being approachable and easy to use. The abbreviation "a11y" is a numeronym—the 11 stands for the eleven letters between the first "a" and the last "y" in the word.
Take a Closer Look!
Accessibility means that everyone can use a service or product without barriers, regardless of age, physical condition, or environment.
While similar to usability—which focuses on how easy something is to use—accessibility addresses a more fundamental question: can someone use it at all?
For example, it includes enabling keyboard-only navigation for people who can't use a mouse, and adding captions to videos so people with hearing impairments can follow along. By providing alternative ways to interact, it removes the barriers that would otherwise prevent certain users from accessing a service.
This isn't only about people with disabilities. It also benefits elderly users who have difficulty reading small text, someone temporarily unable to use one hand due to a broken arm, or a person trying to view their screen in a bright, glaring outdoor environment. The goal is to make information reachable and usable for everyone, regardless of their circumstances.
When building websites and apps, accessibility is an essential element that must be considered carefully during development and design—so that everyone can benefit from what the digital world has to offer.