• [00:00:03] Welcome back.

    [00:00:04] In the last lesson, we talked about why accessibility matters and how

    [00:00:10] design info diverse users benefits everyone.

    [00:00:12] But now we need to address something

    [00:00:13] That can really get in the way of progress. Misconceptions.

    [00:00:18] Accessibility still comes with a lot of outdated thinking,

    [00:00:22] especially in a fast paced design environment.

    [00:00:25] So in this lesson,

    [00:00:27] we are gonna be busting the most common myths.

    [00:00:29] That I tend to hear time and time from clients and colleagues,

    [00:00:32] and even designers who mean well, but don't know any better.

    [00:00:37] So let's get the record straight.

    [00:00:39] Myth one.

    [00:00:40] Accessibility is only for disabled users.

    [00:00:43] Actually. Accessibility, improves usability for everyone.

    [00:00:47] Sure. Accessibility is essential for people with permanent disabilities, but it also supports users with temporarily needs

    [00:00:56] like a broken arm or a situational change.

    [00:00:58] They help wheelchair users and parents with prams or strollers. If you're American

    [00:01:03] delivery workers, travelers with luggage, the list goes on.

    [00:01:07] The same principles apply in digital design.

    [00:01:10] Myth two, accessibility ruins, aesthetics.

    [00:01:14] Actually good accessibility, enhances design.

    [00:01:17] This one always makes me laugh because honestly,

    [00:01:20] . Clear readable. User-friendly. Design is beautiful.

    [00:01:24] Accessibility pushes you to consider things like colour, contrast, spacing, and hierarchy.

    [00:01:29] When done well,

    [00:01:30] your UI will become more elegant, less cluttered.

    [00:01:33] I am yet to see a cluttered, unreadable interface, win any design awards. Have you?

    [00:01:38] Myth three. Accessibility is expensive. And time consuming.

    [00:01:43] Actually, it turns out that they cost more if you don't factor in accessibility.

    [00:01:47] Here's the thing, fixing accessibility later on is what makes it expensive.

    [00:01:52] It leads to redesigns, legal risks and rewrite of code.

    [00:01:57] But when you build it from the start.

    [00:01:58] Just like you would with usability or branding, it actually saves time and money.

    [00:02:04] Think of accessibility as product hygiene and not as a feature. It's just part of the process.

    [00:02:10] automated tools can handle accessibility. The reality is they only catch about 30 to 40% of issues.

    [00:02:17] Tools like Ax and Wave are super useful, and I use them too, but they are not the full picture.

    [00:02:24] They can't, test for context, usability, or real life experiences.

    [00:02:30] Accessibility isn't a technical checkbox, it's about human interaction. You need manual testing, assistive technology testing, and ideally real user feedback.

    [00:02:41] Myth five users will request accommodations if needed.

    [00:02:45] Many users won't or can't ask. Some users don't even know what to ask

    [00:02:50] for. Others might feel embarrassed or they've had bad experiences in the past.

    [00:02:55] . Inclusive design means meeting people where they are without requiring them [00:03:00] to justify their needs.

    [00:03:02] Myth six. Accessibility only means screen readers.

    [00:03:05] Accessibility is about much more than blindness.

    [00:03:09] Yes, screen reader capability is important.

    [00:03:12] But so is designing for people with hearing loss, mobility in impairments, neurodiversity, anxiety, PTSD and more. It's a wide spectrum.

    [00:03:23] And the more you understand the variety of needs, the more inclusive your product becomes.

    [00:03:29] Myth seven. Accessibility is just a legal requirement.

    [00:03:33] It is actually about good design and better business. Yes, compliance matters, but the goal isn't to tick a legal check box.

    Is to create human inclusive experiences.

    [00:03:46] When you do that, . , Not only do you avoid lawsuits, you also increase your reach,

    [00:03:51] improve retention, and build trust with your users.

    [00:03:56] That's what accessibility really delivers.

    [00:03:59] So next time somebody tells you accessibility is too niche, boring, or too complicated, you'll know exactly what to say. These myths hold teams back,

    [00:04:09] but you don't have to fall for them.

    [00:04:11] You are building a mindset that is based on empathy, strategy and reality.

    [00:04:16] In our next lesson, we will explore how people use

    [00:04:20] assistive technologies from screen readers to eye tracking tools and how these experiences shape our design decisions. See you in the next lesson.