Last updated: September 9, 2016 2 minute read At Shopify, our mission is to make commerce better for everyone. When we say better, we’re talking about caring deeply about making quality products. To us, a quality web product means a few things: certainly beautiful design, engaging copy, and a fantastic user experience, but just as important are inclusivity and the principles of universal design. “Everyone” is a pretty big group. It includes our merchants, their customers, our developer partners, our employees, and the greater tech community at large, where we love to lead by example. “Everyone” also includes: 9.1% of adults with vision trouble, and 8% of men and 0.5% of women who are colorblind 16.8% of adults with hearing trouble 15.1% of adults with physical functioning difficulty 4.4% of adults with cognitive disabilities [PDF] We take our mission to heart, so it’s important that Shopify products are useable and useful to all our users. This is something we’ve been thinking about and working on for a few years, but it’s an ongoing, difficult challenge. Luckily, we love tackling challenging problems and we’re constantly chipping away at this one. We’ve learned a lot from the community and think it’s important to contribute back, so — in celebration of Global Accessibility Awareness Day — we’re thrilled to announce a series of posts on accessibility.
Overview
The article discusses Shopify's commitment to accessibility in their UX design, emphasizing the importance of inclusivity for all users, including those with disabilities. It outlines the ongoing efforts of the UX team to address accessibility challenges and shares a series of articles aimed at improving accessibility across their platform.
What You'll Learn
How to approach accessibility in UX design
Why inclusivity is crucial for product design
When to implement accessibility features in existing platforms
Key Questions Answered
What percentage of adults experience vision trouble?
What is the significance of Global Accessibility Awareness Day?
What types of disabilities are considered in Shopify's accessibility efforts?
How does Shopify plan to improve accessibility in their products?
Key Statistics & Figures
Key Actionable Insights
1Incorporate accessibility features early in the design process to ensure inclusivity.By addressing accessibility from the outset, teams can avoid costly redesigns later and create a product that serves a broader audience.
2Engage with the community to gather feedback on accessibility efforts.Community input can provide valuable insights and highlight areas for improvement, ensuring that products meet the needs of all users.
3Utilize existing resources and guidelines on universal design to inform your approach.Leveraging established guidelines can streamline the design process and ensure compliance with accessibility standards.