Being an accessible product, being usable for large variation of users seems like an attractive achievement. Though this goal will bite back throughout the project.

Making a product accessible—so that many different people can use it—is a great goal. It ensures that more users benefit from what you create. However, designing for broad usability comes with challenges that can make the process much more complex than it first appears.

At first, it sounds like a win-win: a bigger target group means a greater impact. But in reality, accommodating a wide range of users means addressing different, sometimes conflicting, needs. What works well for one group might create barriers for another. Instead of hitting a single "bullseye," you're aiming for multiple ones at the same time—each with its own set of requirements. For example, designing an app with high-contrast colors improves readability for visually impaired users, but it might make the interface feel too harsh or overwhelming for neurodivergent users who are sensitive to bright visuals.

This is why deeply understanding your users is crucial. It’s not enough to design for general personas; you need real insights into their behaviors, struggles, and expectations. At the same time, being cautious about designing for hypothetical users is important. If too much effort goes into accommodating groups who may never use the product, it can lead to unnecessary complexity that ultimately benefits no one.

Another challenge is prioritization. In any product, different target groups will have different levels of representation. If a majority of users benefit significantly from one design choice, but a smaller group finds it frustrating or unusable, a dilemma arises: should the majority's needs take priority, or should the design be adjusted to ensure a more inclusive but potentially less optimal experience for the main user base? For example, adding voice commands to a ticket vending machine can make it more accessible for visually impaired users, but it might slow down the process for the majority of customers who just want to tap a screen and proceed quickly.

Finding the right balance requires continuous testing, user feedback, and iteration. A more effective approach than trying to create a one-size-fits-all solution is to develop flexible design options that accommodate different needs without making the experience worse for others. For instance, offering customizable font sizes and contrast settings in an app allows users to adjust the interface to their own needs, rather than forcing a single design choice on everyone.

In 2024, a Meetup course on implementing accessible design emphasized the importance of including diverse user groups early in the design process. Participants included representatives from the blind community, families with young children, wheelchair users, foreigners, and seniors. The key takeaway was that involving these groups from the beginning leads to better, more inclusive solutions. For example, one exercise highlighted how stroller users and wheelchair users share similar accessibility needs, reinforcing the idea that thoughtful design benefits multiple groups at once.

In the end, accessibility isn’t just about expanding a product’s reach—it’s about making sure every user can engage with it in a way that feels natural, efficient, and valuable. The best designs don’t just check a box for inclusivity; they create meaningful, seamless experiences for all.