Inclusive Design Patterns
Coding Accessibility Into Web Design
Author
Heydon Pickering
Freelance Technical Writer and Designer for the Web
Author
Details
- Print length 312 pages
- Publication date September 2016
- Available in Hardback and eBook
About the Book
Inclusive Design Patterns is a practical and thoughtful guide to building accessibility into web design from the ground up. Rather than treating accessibility as an afterthought or compliance requirement, this book shows how it can be integrated naturally into your design and development process.
Author Heydon Pickering offers a new perspective on inclusive thinking by reworking common interface components with accessibility in mind—without relying on heavy frameworks or JavaScript-first approaches. The book is grounded in HTML and CSS, and encourages developers to prioritize semantic markup, clear structure, and ethical design choices.
Why It Matters
Although awareness around diversity has improved, accessibility is still often left behind. With millions of people navigating digital spaces with vision and hearing differences, designing for all users is more important than ever. This book helps bridge the gap between good intentions and practical implementation, providing guidance for building websites that work for everyone, regardless of ability.
What You’ll Learn
- Why inclusivity goes beyond compliance and how accessibility supports everyone
- How to use well-tested HTML/CSS patterns that are accessible by default
- Techniques for employing ARIA roles, WCAG guidelines, and semantic structure
- Practical approaches for making interfaces work across all devices and browsers
- How to build inclusive navigation, menus, widgets, forms, and validation
- Ways to improve reading experiences with accessible typography and layout
- How to structure inclusive prototypes and test-driven markup workflows
Chapter Highlights
- The Document – Lays a strong semantic foundation with proper markup
- A Paragraph, A Blog Post – Focuses on accessible reading experiences
- Navigation Regions & Menu Buttons – Builds keyboard-friendly, screen reader-compatible navigation
- Filter Widgets & Product Lists – Enhances dynamic content with accessibility in mind
- Forms & Validation – Covers best practices for labels, errors, and input structure
- Test‑Driven Markup & Inclusive Prototyping – Encourages iterative, inclusive design from the start
Who Should Read It
- Front-end developers looking to deepen their accessibility knowledge
- UX/UI designers who want to integrate accessibility into visual patterns
- Teams committed to inclusive product development
- Anyone interested in building websites that are beautiful, usable, and inclusive
Final Thoughts
Inclusive Design Patterns is a clear, code-focused resource that gives developers and designers the confidence to create experiences that are inclusive by design. With practical examples and thoughtful commentary, Heydon Pickering equips readers with the tools they need to move beyond checkboxes and build websites that truly work for everyone.
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Discover the power of knowledge through our featured book.
Each book offers an opportunity to learn from industry leaders in the exploration of digital accessibility principles and practices. The titles serve as a vital resource for professionals seeking to enhance their understanding and implementation of industry standards.
Key Themes
Inclusivity, user experience, and practical strategies for accessible design are all taken into consideration when choosing each book.
Accessibility Highlights
We love books that dive deep into accessibility principles, best practices and teach readers common terminology and techniques.
"Knowledge is power." - Thomas Jefferson
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It brought me closer to the people who really care for accessibility. The Accessibility Book Club has been an incredible space to share ideas, learn from passionate individuals, and grow as an advocate for inclusive design. I also connected with Manuel, the author of Web Accessibility Cookbook, and had the prestigious opportunity to professionally review his book and learn his inspiring story. As someone deeply inspired by accessible design—especially with my mother being a teacher for students with special needs—this community holds a special place in my heart. 💙
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Associate Professor of Science, Technology, and Society
I joined the Accessibility Book Club because accessibility is something I care deeply about, and I wanted to connect with others who truly 'get it.' It’s a space where I can learn, and be part of a community that shares my passion for making an impact.
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Author Web Accessibility Cookbook
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