Accessibility is one of those things I spent years ignoring because nothing in my workflow required it. Then I got a client in the healthcare sector and accessibility compliance became a hard requirement. Here’s what I actually had to learn:
WCAG guidelines in plain terms for designers:
Level AA is the practical target for most professional work. AAA is stricter and not always achievable in design-constrained contexts.
Contrast ratios: Normal text needs 4.5:1 contrast against background. Large text (18pt+ or 14pt bold+) needs 3:1. UI components and focus indicators need 3:1. Check every text element in context, not just swatches.
Tools that actually work in workflow: Figma has built-in contrast checking. The browser plugin Colour Contrast Analyser is what I use for production verification. Both should be in your standard toolkit.
Beyond color contrast (what gets missed): Focus states on interactive elements. All images need meaningful alt text in implementation (not your problem to write, but your responsibility to flag as needed). Touch targets should be minimum 44x44 pixels. Don’t rely on color alone to convey meaning.
Typography for accessibility: avoid justified text in body copy (uneven spacing creates reading difficulty). Sufficient line height (1.5x minimum for body). Don’t use very thin weights at small sizes.
The biggest shift for me: accessibility requirements often produce better design decisions. Sufficient contrast usually also means more legible, more confident work.