Summary
A design system is a set of repeatable components and standards guiding the use of those components. Standards can come in the form of documentation, videos, blogs, discussion channels, meetups and office hours just to name a few. A design system may be built internally within an organization, or there are hundreds of open source design systems that can be downloaded and used. However, only a small percentage of those open source design systems are set up such that they can be successfully implemented in a manner that results in software that is accessible to people with disabilities who use assistive technology to interact with technology. This talk will discuss the importance of accessible design systems and a high level overview of the ten best known open source design systems.
Key Insights
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Accessibility should be considered at the design phase to ensure usability for all customers, including those with disabilities.
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Disabilities are more varied than commonly perceived, encompassing permanent, temporary, and situational challenges.
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Design systems should incorporate clear guidelines for accessibility to make implementation easier for developers.
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Accessibility training is crucial for designers and developers to create inclusive products from the ground up.
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The design system must be compliant with WCAG 2.1 standards to ensure broad accessibility across various user needs.
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Open-source design systems offer flexibility and collaboration for accessibility improvements.
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User research with disabled individuals is distinct from research with people who have disabilities; both perspectives are essential.
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Companies face significant legal challenges if they neglect accessibility standards, leading to increased litigation costs.
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Empowering employees by establishing a disability resource group can enhance an organization's commitment to accessibility.
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Long-term accessibility requires ongoing maintenance and awareness to ensure that updates do not compromise existing functionality.
Notable Quotes
"My fervent wish is that everybody will walk away thinking differently about your customers with disabilities."
"If we can trigger at least one oblique moment during this talk, I think I will have done my job."
"Accessibility means that it works for people with disabilities who use assistive technology."
"You are effectively discriminating against your potential disabled customers if the software isn't accessible."
"Disability is much broader than you would think; it can be temporary or situational."
"The accessibility guidelines called WCAG are what you should be aiming for—level AA is key."
"The goal of a design system is to be efficient, consistent, and provide a better user experience."
"If you care about sales, if you care about not getting sued, you really need to be accessible."
"Doing user research with users with disabilities is very different than doing research with people with disabilities."
"Accessibility has to be baked into the design review process; if it isn't an MVP, it won't happen."
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