I'm writing it now. I'll expand on it later as I learn more.

They aren't just technical guidelines, they're frameworks for understanding how people with a wide range of needs interact with digital spaces. Learn the core principles of accessibility and reference them often when making decisions in your work.

Perceivable: Information and user info components must be presented in ways users can perceive.

Operable: All users must be able to navigate and interact with the interface.

Understandable: Content and operation of the interface must be clear and predictable.

Robust: Content must be compatible with current and future tools, including assistive technologies.

While we often talk about accessibility in general terms, especially in professional contexts, it's valuable to understand the lived experiences behind it. Take time to learn how applying each principle impacts people who have different experiences than you do.

Users with physical disabilities rely on keyboards, switch controls, or other assistive devices.

Users with low vision or blindness depend on screen readers.

Users with cognitive differences benefit from clear structure and predictable interfaces with consistent navigation.

Users with hearing loss, neurodivergence, or temporary limitations depend on transcripts, captions, flexible layouts, predictable patterns, and multiple ways to process information.

Accessibility and usability are inseparable best friends. The more you understand UX, the easier it is to recognize accessibility issues before you even know the technical terms for them.

Explore how users interact with digital or web tools/content different and what causes friction. Pay more attention to why you feel frustrated with software, websites, or applications, what about the interface or workflow is causing that annoyance?

Warning: Once you start noticing usability issues, you'll start seeing them everywhere. There's no going back!

Good accessibility often depends on the tools you use and not all of them make it easy or intuitive. Sometimes you'll need to learn new settings in tools you've used for years, sometimes you'll need to switch to something better.

What I'm doing:

Familiarizing myself with where to find answers before I need them: bookmark support docs for the tools I already use

View the 4 principles of accessibility as a tool: Review them as I'm creating new things (for work or otherwise) and research when any of them seems relevant.

If a resource or tool doesn't exist, I make my own (checklist, notes, reference guides for my future self - like this page!).

Above all, keep a growth mindset towards learning accessibility. You won't get everything perfect right away.

This is an ongoing process of learning, improving, and caring more deeply. Every step forward makes your work more inclusive, compassionate, and effective.