Accessibility

Accessibility is the practice of designing digital content and interfaces so they can be used by people of all abilities. It addresses a range of needs, including visual, auditory, motor, and cognitive differences.

Accessibility and localization share the same goal: reaching more people. Ignoring accessibility means excluding a large portion of users since one in six globally lives with a significant disability. It also limits usability for others in temporary or situational limitations, like reading a screen in sunlight or needing captions in a loud environment.

In localization, accessibility involves translating content like captions, transcripts, alt text, and sign language. It may also require adapting visuals, formatting, or layouts and design elements. When accessibility isn’t present in the original content, localization teams can suggest practical adjustments (often with support from automation tools).

👁️ Key points about accessibility #️⃣

• Benefits everyone, not just users with disabilities
• Includes visual, auditory, motor, and cognitive considerations
• Can be implemented with low effort using modern tools and practices
• It makes sure that digital content is usable by people with various abilities
• Supports inclusive localization by adapting content like alt text, captions, and sign language

When accessibility is taken into consideration during the localization process, content becomes usable for a broader and more diverse audience. This includes people with disabilities as well as those in everyday situations where full access isn’t possible. Building your products with accessibility in mind early also improves overall quality, supports inclusion, and helps teams meet both user needs and business goals.

More information about accessibility is available on our blog.