Annotation

  • Introduction
  • Enhanced Accessibility Features
  • Practical Implementation
  • Pros and Cons
  • Conclusion
  • Frequently Asked Questions
Tech News

Figma Launches 15+ Accessibility Features with ARIA Support in Sites

Figma's new update introduces over 15 accessibility features, including ARIA support and improved keyboard navigation, enhancing inclusive design workflows.

Figma accessibility features interface showing ARIA properties panel
Tech News1 min read

Introduction

Figma's update introduces over 15 accessibility features, enhancing keyboard navigation, screen reader compatibility, and ARIA integration in Sites for inclusive design.

Enhanced Accessibility Features

New keyboard controls improve canvas and comment navigation. Screen reader reliability is better with semantic structure recognition. Toggle options disable interfering shortcuts.

ARIA properties in Sites allow defining roles and states directly. The panel includes alt text editing and role assignments, streamlining compliant interface workflow with accessibility tools and UI design tools.

Practical Implementation

Teams manage accessibility from mockups to prototypes. The panel gives feedback on issues, aiding barrier resolution before development. This supports collaboration with collaboration tools for consistent standards.

Pros and Cons

Advantages

  • Better keyboard navigation
  • Improved screen reader compatibility
  • Integrated ARIA properties
  • Streamlined accessibility panel
  • WCAG compliance support
  • Enhanced collaboration
  • Customizable controls

Disadvantages

  • Learning curve
  • Performance impact
  • Limited ARIA customization
  • Training required

Conclusion

Figma's update advances inclusive design with ARIA support, keyboard, and screen reader enhancements, benefiting teams using prototyping tools and web design software for accessible experiences.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main accessibility features in Figma's new update?

Figma's update includes over 15 accessibility features: expanded keyboard controls for canvas elements, improved screen reader reliability, ARIA property integration in Sites, accessibility panel with alt text editing, and customizable shortcut toggles for better assistive technology compatibility.

How does ARIA support work in Figma Sites?

Figma Sites now includes ARIA properties that allow designers to define accessibility roles, states, and properties directly from the properties panel. This enables proper semantic structure for screen readers and helps create WCAG-compliant interfaces without switching between tools.

What keyboard navigation improvements are included?

The update brings expanded keyboard controls for canvas elements and comment interactions, allowing navigation without mouse dependency, with options to disable shortcuts that might interfere with assistive technologies.

How does the accessibility panel enhance workflow?

The integrated accessibility panel provides immediate feedback on potential issues, with options for alt text editing and role assignments, streamlining the creation of compliant interfaces and improving collaboration.

What are the main disadvantages of the new features?

Drawbacks include a learning curve for new features, potential performance impact on complex projects, limited customization for advanced ARIA attributes, and the need for team training.