Universal Design is the correct framework here. It involves designing products, environments, and systems to be usable by all people to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design. It moves beyond just adding ramps (which is more akin to accommodation) to a holistic, upfront design philosophy for the built environment.

The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) require that all non-text content have a text alternative. For decorative images that don’t convey information or have a function, the correct technique is to use an empty alt attribute (alt=””). This allows assistive technologies to ignore them, preventing redundant or confusing announcements, while still conforming to the standard.

This correctly distinguishes two separate WCAG principles. Perceivability (Principle 1) ensures users can perceive the content presented, meaning it’s available to at least one of their senses (sight, hearing, or touch). Understandability (Principle 3) comes after perception, ensuring that the information and operation of the user interface are clear and comprehensible.

The social model of disability shifts the focus from the individual’s impairment to the societal and environmental barriers that create disability. It posits that people are disabled by barriers in society (like inaccessible buildings, websites, or attitudes), not by their impairment. This model underpins modern accessibility work, which aims to remove those barriers.

While captions address auditory information, the lack of control over timing is a critical issue for people who need more time to read, think, or respond. This includes many people with cognitive, learning, or intellectual disabilities. WCAG Success Criterion 2.2.1 (Timing Adjustable) specifically requires providing mechanisms to pause, stop, or extend time limits, with certain exceptions.

Programmatically determined link text means the accessible name (what a screen reader announces) for a link is derived from the code in a reliable way. This is crucial because screen reader users often navigate via a list of links. Links like “click here” or “read more” are meaningless out of context. Good link text (e.g., “Read the 2023 Annual Report”) conveys its purpose independently.

Operability (WCAG Principle 2) requires that user interface components and navigation be operable. A tool that provides no control over timing (to pause, review, or re-record) and may not be usable by someone who cannot hear the question (lack of captions) creates operability barriers. Users cannot effectively operate the interface if they cannot control the time-sensitive process or perceive the instructions.

The core principle of accommodation is individualized interaction. People with the same general disability (e.g., low vision) have vastly different needs, preferences, and strategies. The correct first step is always to engage in an interactive process with the individual to identify potential barriers and explore effective solutions collaboratively, which may or may not include a large monitor.

Intersectionality acknowledges that individuals exist at the crossroads of multiple identities and systems of advantage or disadvantage. A person who is both deaf and an older non-native English speaker, for example, faces a different set of barriers than a young, native English-speaking deaf person. Inclusive design must consider these compounded experiences to avoid creating solutions that work only for a narrow subset of a community.

Universal Design is the correct framework here. It involves designing products, environments, and systems to be usable by all people to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design. It moves beyond just adding ramps (which is more akin to accommodation) to a holistic, upfront design philosophy for the built environment.0