Accessibility
The measure of obstacles that prevent people from accessing a product, service, or system.
When we say a design outcome is not accessible, we are saying it is not available to users. Accessibility is a range instead of an all-or-nothing aspect. However, in some cases, design decisions can lead to outcomes that prevent all use for some people. Sometimes it’s better for a design to inaccessible, such as rifles in a gun cabinet or the button that launches missiles on a warship. But more often than not, accessibility is a good thing. Physical accessibility is the first kind that comes to mind, such as large typography on an app screen so older adults can read it. But ideological accessibility is equally important, such as imagery and words in an ad campaign, including people of many races and ethnic backgrounds. Experiences can’t happen (or can’t happen as intended) if the design is inaccessible.
