When design looks accessible but isn’t

Vibe Check – The illusion: When design looks accessible but isn’t

Accessibility in design is often misunderstood. Many digital experiences look accessible at first glance—clean interfaces, modern typography, and seemingly well-structured elements—but upon closer inspection, they reveal serious usability barriers. This illusion of accessibility can be more harmful than outright inaccessibility because it gives a false sense of inclusivity while still excluding people with disabilities.

In this post, we’ll explore common design trends that appear accessible but actually create barriers, and how we can move beyond the illusion to ensure true digital inclusivity.

A personal story – Practicing navigation on well-known websites

I often practice navigating websites using only a keyboard and screen reader to see how different platforms handle accessibility. One day, I decided to test a few well-known websites—big-name companies that I assumed would have solid accessibility practices in place.

At first, everything seemed fine. The layouts were structured, and the content was readable. But as I dug deeper, I started encountering problems. Some buttons had no visual distinction other than color. Links were styled to look like regular text, making them difficult to find. The worst part? Several interactive elements—like menus and modal pop-ups—were completely inaccessible with a keyboard.

On one particular site, I struggled for minutes, unable to activate a dropdown menu that was crucial for navigation. Only after turning on a screen reader did I realize that the menu had an invisible focus trap, preventing me from moving forward. These sites looked polished and well-designed, but they were filled with obstacles for users relying on assistive technology.

This experience reinforced an important lesson: good design isn’t just about looking accessible—it’s about being accessible in practice.

Elevate the vibe – Common accessibility illusions in design

1) The minimalist trap: When less becomes inaccessible

The illusion: Minimalist design is praised for being sleek and distraction-free, but stripping away too much—like clear button styles, form labels, or visible focus indicators—can make navigation unclear and frustrating.

The reality:

Icon-only buttons without labels force users to guess their function.

Placeholder text acting as form labels disappears once users start typing, making it hard to recall what was needed.

Invisible focus states make it impossible for keyboard users to know where they are on a page.

Fix it: Use clear button affordances, visible labels, and distinct focus styles to ensure usability while maintaining a clean aesthetic.

2) Color contrast confusion: When high contrast still fails

The illusion: High contrast text is often promoted as an accessibility best practice. But just increasing contrast doesn’t automatically make text readable.

The reality:

Thin, light-colored fonts on dark backgrounds strain readability.

Pure black on white creates excessive glare, which can be difficult for people with sensory sensitivities.

Contrast checks often miss elements like icons, borders, and focus states.

Fix it: Use thicker, legible fonts, adjust contrast based on real-world readability, and test with different user groups—including people with low vision or dyslexia.

3) Hover-dependent interactions: When functionality disappears

The illusion: Many interactive elements, like tooltips or dropdowns, appear only when hovered over with a mouse, creating a clean interface.

The reality:

Keyboard and screen reader users may never discover these hidden elements.

Users who rely on voice navigation or touchscreens can struggle to activate them.

Essential instructions or buttons may remain invisible unless users already know where to look.

Fix it: Ensure that interactive elements are always accessible—use persistent labels, visible toggles, and keyboard-friendly navigation.

4) Animations and motion effects: When subtle turns harmful

The illusion: Smooth scrolling, auto-playing videos, and parallax effects make a website feel dynamic and engaging.

The reality:

Auto-playing media can be overwhelming or disorienting for neurodivergent users.

Parallax effects and motion-heavy pages can trigger vestibular disorders, causing dizziness or nausea.

Scrolling hijacks can interfere with screen readers and keyboard navigation.

Fix it: Provide motion-reduction settings, offer clear controls for auto-playing content, and avoid forced scrolling behaviors.

5) The AI-powered accessibility band-aid

The illusion: Many companies rely on AI-driven overlays or accessibility widgets to “fix” their website without making real improvements.

The reality:

AI overlays often interfere with assistive technology instead of helping users.

Automated fixes can mislabel content, leading to a frustrating experience.

They don’t replace proper coding practices, leaving real accessibility gaps unaddressed.

Fix it: Prioritize real accessibility improvements—fix structural issues, follow WCAG guidelines, and test with actual users.

Vibe boost – How to move beyond the illusion of accessibility

1) Test with real users

No matter how good a design looks, the real test is whether people with disabilities can use it comfortably. Conduct usability testing with:

Screen reader users

Keyboard-only users

Voice navigation users

People with cognitive disabilities

2) Prioritize semantic HTML and proper ARIA usage

Accessible design starts at the code level. Use:

Proper <button> elements instead of <div>s for interactive components.

Correct heading structures to aid navigation.

ARIA roles only where necessary—misusing ARIA can break accessibility rather than improve it.

3) Go beyond compliance, aim for usability

Just meeting WCAG guidelines doesn’t guarantee a good user experience. Ensure accessibility is integrated into the design process, not just added at the end.

Self-reflection – Evaluating your designs

Ask yourself:

Does my design rely too much on visual-only cues?

Would someone using only a keyboard or voice commands be able to navigate easily?

Have I tested my interface with assistive technology, or am I assuming it works?

Taking time to reflect on these questions can help bridge the gap between looking accessible and being accessible.

Vibe in action – Designing for true accessibility

1) Apply what you’ve learned

Identify areas where accessibility is only surface-level and address underlying issues.

Ensure interactive elements have clear affordances and don’t rely solely on hover or motion.

2) Share the knowledge

Educate your team on the pitfalls of accessibility illusions.

Advocate for testing with real users instead of relying on assumptions.

3) Keep learning

Follow accessibility professionals and stay updated on evolving best practices.

Engage with disability communities to gain firsthand insights.

Vibing out

Designing for accessibility isn’t about making things look accessible—it’s about ensuring they are accessible in practice. By moving beyond surface-level solutions and addressing real barriers, we create a digital world that works for everyone.

Let’s stop designing for the illusion of accessibility and start designing for true inclusivity. Because when accessibility is done right, everyone benefits.