accessibilitylisted

# Accessibility — product-side playbook Accessibility is product, not legal. The product is more usable for everyone when designed accessible-first. Legally, ADA Title III lawsuits have grown rapidly (Domino's, Target, etc.); Section 508 gates federal sales; EU EN 301 549 + Accessibility Act apply to EU consumer products from 2025. The market case: ~15% of people have a disability. ## 1. WCAG 2.2 AA — the current standard W3C Web Content Accessibility Guidelines. The most-referenced standard. **Four principles (POUR):** - **Perceivable**: info presented in ways user can perceive (alt text, captions, contrast). - **Operable**: UI usable via keyboard, touch, voice. - **Understandable**: text + interaction predictable. - **Robust**: works with assistive tech. **Levels**: A (basics) / AA (industry standard) / AAA (high bar). Target: **AA** for most products. **WCAG 2.2 adds:** - Focus indicators must be visible (no more invisible focus rings). - Click targets ≥ 24×24 px (touch targets often ≥ 44×44). - Dragging gestures need single-pointer alternatives. - Authentication can't require cognitive test (memorization). - Help available consistently. ## 2. US legal frame ### ADA Title III (private-sector public accommodations) - Applies to "public accommodations" — increasingly read to include websites and mobile apps. - Lawsuit surge: 11,000+ web accessibility lawsuits in 2024. - No specific technical standard mandated; courts treat WCAG 2.1/2.2 AA as benchmark. ### Sec