The reading this week provided valuable insights into accessibility and inclusion in the design world. My first experience with inclusion and accessibility in design began when I was creating a rebrand for a company called NeoLogic Solutions. During the project, I remember researching color palettes and refreshing my knowledge on color theory. While researching, I discovered a tool called the Color Palette Builder, which I learned about from a graphic designer named Sam Remboldt on Instagram. Sam founded the Color Palette Studio to help graphic designers create meaningful and impactful color palettes for their projects. While experimenting with the Color Palette Builder, I learned about color contrast ratios. The Builder tests the contrast levels of the colors in a palette, and if the level is above 4.5, it is considered 'Compliant' according to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). WCAG 2.0 level AA requires a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text, while WCAG 2.1 requires a contrast ratio of at least 3:1 for graphics and user interface components. WCAG Level AAA requires a contrast ratio of at least 7:1 for normal text and 4.5:1 for large text. This color builder tool only shows color combinations that have a contrast ratio of 4.5 or higher, making it essential to ensure a design is accessible to everyone. With this information in mind, I was curious to learn about Figma's approach to this matter.

When designing products, it's important to prioritize inclusion and accessibility for a wide range of individuals, not just those with specific disabilities. Inclusive design involves catering to a diverse audience, going beyond personal biases, and creating balance in design to enhance the experience for a larger customer base. To achieve this, it's crucial to avoid assumptions and consider creating variations of the product to serve more people effectively. For instance, it's important to remember that not all individuals with impairments identify as disabled, such as older individuals or those who have not been diagnosed with a disability. Color plays a significant role in accessibility, as many people have difficulty differentiating between colors. It's essential for products relying heavily on color to account for users with color vision deficiencies, such as red-green color blindness (protanopia). Globally, an estimated 260–320 million people are affected by color vision deficiencies, and 4% of the global population is visually impaired, with 0.6% being blind. Figma, a design tool, addresses these issues through tools like the Able Figma plugin, which tests for accessible design, particularly for contrast and visual impairment considerations. It's important for designers to educate themselves on these issues to create designs that are not only targeted toward the intended audience but are also available to all individuals.