Navigating the web with poor accessibility is like swimming in a pool with invisible barriers and no markings.
Robust code with landmarks and consistent layouts act like underwater signs and lane lines to prevent users from getting lost.
Low color contrast is like swimming with foggy goggles, obstructing vision and causing eye strain for users.
Swimming aids like kickboards, pull buoys, and fins illustrate how assistive technologies adapt the digital environment for different user needs.
Just as swimmers count laps, users burn mental energy tracking their progress, which can be solved with accessible progress bars.
The goal of both swimming and digital accessibility is to provide independence and autonomy, allowing everyone to participate without needing help.
Instead of seeing accessibility as a checklist, think of your product as a pool and engineer it for clarity and stability.
Jobs that call for the skills explored in this talk.