The Accessibility Gap in Design: Challenges, Myths, and Solutions
With nearly 1 in 4 people in the UK identifying as disabled and an estimated 15–20% being neurodivergent, accommodating diverse needs has never been more urgent. So why does accessibility remain an afterthought in the design world? It’s rarely included in formal training, the available guidance is fragmented and difficult to apply, and clients often don’t prioritise it. We want to help change that.
Accessibility is a core part of our work as designers who aim to work intersectionally and use our skills to empower our clients and enhance their positive social impact. We’ve been working closely with our Design Lead, Alaïs de Saint Louvent, who created the online accessibility resource Understanding Accessibility, which we developed pro-bono to help bridge the gap in accessibility knowledge. Alongside our Creative Director, Cecilia Righini, whose expertise lies in design management and inclusive design strategies, we are committed to making accessibility a fundamental part of the design process, not an afterthought.
Despite its importance, accessibility in design is often hard to get right. Part of this challenge stems from the lack of a single, centralised resource that is both practical and easy to use. Accessibility is still rarely covered in-depth in design training or practised consistently across design studios. Because of this, we’ll be posting more content to help break down these barriers and provide actionable insights for designers who want to do better.
Why Accessibility Feels Harder Than It Should Be
The Information Isn’t Easy to Find or Apply
As Alaïs de Saint Louvent, Studio Lutalica’s Design Lead, pointed out, when she first started focusing on accessibility, she found it frustratingly difficult to access the right resources. “There were all the official platforms and some blogs and talks, but in general, it was hard to reach. You had to compartmentalise everything, and it took a lot of time.” This lack of accessible knowledge often leads to designers giving up before they even begin.
The Focus on Compliance Over Usability
Many designers turn to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) as their primary resource. While these guidelines are essential, they are often treated as a checklist rather than a foundation for truly accessible experiences. As Cecilia Righini, Studio Lutalica’s Creative Director, explains: “The legal standards make sites like the NHS and government websites ‘accessible’—but for many neurodivergent people, they are bland, difficult to navigate, and not truly usable.” The goal of accessibility should go beyond compliance to ensure that diverse users have an equally smooth experience.
The Misconception That Accessibility Limits Creativity
A persistent myth in the design industry is that accessible design means sacrificing aesthetics. But as Alaïs argues, “Design isn’t art—it’s about making things usable. You can still create something visually stunning while making it accessible; you just have to be intentional about how you do it.” Accessibility doesn’t mean a dull, stripped-down aesthetic—it means clarity, consistency, and thoughtful use of visual elements.
“Design isn’t art—it’s about making things usable. You can still create something visually stunning while making it accessible; you just have to be intentional about how you do it.”
What It Really Means to Design for Everyone
At Studio Lutalica, accessibility is embedded in every stage of the design process. Rather than treating it as an afterthought, it’s considered from the very start. This approach has led to projects where accessibility has driven innovation rather than limited it.
For example, while working on a branding project, the team realised that the colour palette chosen by the client didn’t meet accessibility standards. Rather than discarding the identity, they adapted how the colours were used. “We made sure that the decorative elements could remain playful while ensuring that any critical text and interactions had enough contrast,” Alaïs recalls. “Accessibility didn’t compromise the brand; it actually strengthened it.”
Another example was a project where they needed to ensure an online survey was accessible to the broadest audience possible. The challenge? Finding a typeface that was visually interesting while still highly readable for people with dyslexia or visual impairments. “It was a deep dive into font accessibility, and we ended up using a specialist typeface designed for legibility,” says Cecilia. “It was a reminder that accessibility should be considered at every level, from branding to web and print.”
“Accessibility didn’t compromise the brand; it actually strengthened it.”
Why It’s Worth the Effort
Accessibility generally means a better user experience for everyone
Accessible design isn’t just for disabled users—it’s good design for everyone. Features like dark mode, clear typography, and logical navigation benefit people across a range of needs, devices, and environments.
SEO and legal benefits
Search engines favour well-structured, accessible websites. And in many countries, accessibility is a legal requirement. Designing inclusively now helps future-proof your work and avoid costly fixes or compliance issues later.
Stronger, more inclusive brands
Brands that champion accessibility show they’re serious about inclusion—not just as a statement, but as a practice. This builds trust, strengthens loyalty, and helps you connect with wider, more diverse audiences.
Making good on your values
Design choices reflect what a brand stands for. Prioritising accessibility signals respect, empathy, and a willingness to consider experiences beyond your own—a mindset we believe is essential for anyone working toward social change.
You’re driving innovation, not limiting it
Designing with accessibility in mind often sparks more thoughtful, creative solutions. Constraints can lead to better, more innovative outcomes when approached with care and intention.
Making Accessibility a Habit, Not a Hassle
For designers looking to integrate accessibility into their process, Cecilia and Alaïs recommend:
Start with a checklist
Make accessibility part of your workflow, not an afterthought. This can include:
- Checking colour contrast at the branding phase using plugins like Stark or the WebAIM Contrast Checker.
- Choose fonts and create typography guidance that means text is easy to digest for a variety of use-cases.
- Consider how the website or document will work with screen readers and keyboard navigation.
- Testing forms and buttons for usability with diverse users.
Ask the right questions early
Include accessibility considerations in client discovery forms. This means asking about the intended audience, any known accessibility needs, and the environments in which the design will be used.
Conduct demographic research and user interviews
Primary research is crucial for understanding real accessibility needs. Talk to actual users with disabilities, run usability tests, and consider how different audiences interact with your design.
Test throughout the process
Don’t just rely on automated checkers; get real users involved when possible. Accessibility should be evaluated at multiple stages (eg. prototyping, development, and post-launch) to ensure the final design meets diverse needs.
“Accessibility isn’t about adding a widget at the end of the process. It’s about starting with the question: who is this for—and have we truly considered all the different needs someone might have when interacting with it?”
Key Takeaways
As Cecilia puts it, “accessibility isn’t about adding a widget at the end of the process. It’s about starting with the question: who is this for—and have we truly considered all the different needs someone might have when interacting with it?”
Designing with accessibility in mind might take more time, but it leads to stronger, more inclusive outcomes for everyone. As designers, we don’t just have the responsibility to consider diverse needs—we have the power to do something about them. And that’s something we should take seriously.
*As they say in Spiderman: with great power comes great responsibility!*
