by EmilyTips for Designing Accessible Visual Content
Accessibility in design is not just a trend—it’s a necessity. In the world of freelance design, creating content that can be understood and used by as many people as possible, regardless of ability, is both a professional responsibility and a competitive advantage.
As a platform supporting skilled freelancers, freelancerbridge believes in helping creative professionals design visuals that reach broader audiences and meet inclusive standards. This guide offers practical, easy-to-implement tips that ensure your work isn’t just beautiful—it’s usable by everyone.
Long Description: How Freelancers Can Create Visually Accessible Designs That Include Everyone
In an era of inclusive digital experiences, designing for accessibility is not just about checking a box—it’s about empathy, usability, and effectiveness. As a freelancer, your visuals should communicate clearly to every user, including people with visual, cognitive, or motor impairments.
This comprehensive guide will cover:
What accessibility in design means
Who benefits from accessible visual content
Key principles and standards to follow
Tools and techniques to ensure compliance
Real-life examples and freelance-specific strategies
Whether you're designing social media posts, websites, presentations, or branding elements, these principles will help you build client-trusted, user-friendly content that performs better across platforms.
1. What Is Accessible Visual Content?
Accessible visual content is any graphic, layout, or image-based design that ensures usability and comprehension for all users—especially those with disabilities. This includes users who:
Are visually impaired or colorblind
Have dyslexia or cognitive challenges
Use screen readers or assistive technologies
Navigate using keyboard or alternative input devices
Accessibility is about ensuring equal access to information, no matter how users interact with content.
2. Why Freelancers Should Prioritize Accessible Design
✔ Legal and Ethical Responsibility
In many countries, accessibility is legally required—especially for public-facing content.
✔ Larger Audience Reach
Accessible content reaches users with disabilities, elderly audiences, and those using different devices or assistive tools.
✔ Improved Usability for All
Designing with accessibility in mind often improves the experience for everyone, not just those with impairments.
✔ Client Confidence
Clients want designers who care about inclusive design—it shows professionalism and foresight.
3. Key Principles of Accessible Visual Design
✅ Perceivable
Information must be visible or audible to users regardless of their limitations.
✅ Operable
Users must be able to navigate and interact with content, whether via mouse, keyboard, or voice.
✅ Understandable
Content should be readable, predictable, and error-tolerant.
✅ Robust
Designs should work across a wide range of devices and assistive technologies.
These are the core principles from the WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines).
4. Practical Tips for Designing Accessible Visuals
🟩 Use High Contrast
Ensure sufficient contrast between text and background. Tools like WebAIM Contrast Checker help confirm readability.
Tip: Aim for a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 for body text and 3:1 for large text.
🟩 Choose Readable Fonts
Avoid overly decorative fonts. Use clean, sans-serif fonts like Arial, Helvetica, or Open Sans. Ensure font size is at least 16px for body content.
🟩 Avoid Text in Images
Screen readers cannot interpret text embedded in images. Use HTML or provide alt text for critical image content.
🟩 Use Alt Text Thoughtfully
Every meaningful image should have descriptive alt attributes that explain its purpose or content.
Example: Instead of alt="chart", use alt="Line chart showing revenue growth from 2020 to 2024."
🟩 Design Clear Navigation
When designing web or app layouts, ensure a logical flow with obvious navigation. Use consistent placement for buttons and menus.
🟩 Consider Color Blindness
Avoid using color alone to convey information. Use labels, patterns, or icons to reinforce meaning.
Example: Instead of just a red vs. green status, include text like "Approved" or "Rejected."
🟩 Provide Text Alternatives
Videos or GIFs should include captions or transcripts. Infographics should have text summaries below.
🟩 Use Hierarchy and Whitespace
Use headings, subheadings, and spacing to break content into digestible sections. This aids both cognitive processing and screen reader navigation.
🟩 Make Clickable Elements Large
Buttons, links, and form fields should be large enough (at least 44x44 pixels) for users with motor limitations.
5. Tools to Test Design Accessibility
Tool Purpose
WebAIM Contrast Checker Tests color contrast ratios
Stark for Figma/Sketch Checks contrast, typography, and color blindness
axe Accessibility Tool Browser extension for accessibility audits
Lighthouse (Chrome Dev) Offers accessibility score for web pages
NVDA / VoiceOver Screen readers for real-world testing
Accessible Colors Palette generator for compliant color schemes
Use these tools during your design process—not just as an afterthought.
6. Accessibility Tips for Different Freelance Design Projects
🔹 Website Design
Use semantic HTML structure (header, nav, main, footer)
Enable keyboard navigation
Include skip links
🔹 Branding and Logos
Test logos in grayscale and colorblind modes
Avoid relying solely on color to convey identity
🔹 Infographics
Include a text version or detailed description
Label all data points, not just use shapes or colors
🔹 Social Media Graphics
Use image descriptions (alt text) when uploading
Avoid meme formats with unreadable or compressed text
🔹 PDF and Presentations
Use accessible fonts and heading structures
Add descriptive slide titles and reading order
7. Freelancing Benefits of Accessible Design
Freelancers who integrate accessibility into their work see benefits like:
Client trust: Especially for public sector or education clients
Portfolio differentiation: Highlighting accessibility can set you apart
Premium pricing: Accessibility expertise can command higher rates
Fewer revisions: Clients appreciate work that doesn’t need fixing later for compliance
Include accessibility as part of your value proposition.
8. Common Mistakes to Avoid
Mistake Fix
Overreliance on color alone Add text labels, icons, or patterns
Tiny clickable areas Enlarge buttons and tap targets
Text contrast too low Use darker colors or lighter backgrounds
Using decorative fonts excessively Stick to readable, screen-friendly fonts
Missing alt text on key images Describe the image’s purpose in context
Ignoring keyboard-only users Design and test for keyboard navigation
Accessibility is not just about aesthetics—it’s about functionality for everyone.
9. How to Talk to Clients About Accessibility
Some clients may not be aware of accessibility standards or why they matter. Here’s how you can position it:
Educate gently: Share statistics (e.g., 1 in 4 adults in the U.S. has a disability)
Highlight benefits: Broader reach, better SEO, legal safety
Add it to proposals: Include a section on accessibility deliverables
Show examples: Before-and-after design work with accessibility improvements
Clients increasingly expect accessible work—make it part of your offer.
Conclusion: Design That Includes Everyone Is Stronger Design
Designing accessible visual content is not just about compliance—it’s about compassion, clarity, and creativity. As a freelancer on freelancerbridge, adopting accessibility practices makes your work more impactful, more inclusive, and more in demand.
