Abstract

This study evaluates whether accessibility feedback built directly into a UI/UX design tool can support earlier accessibility review during the design phase. Accessibility problems often begin through design decisions about color contrast, text size, image descriptions, spacing, and target-size checks, but many accessibility tools are used only after an interface has already been implemented. To explore design-stage accessibility support, this project presents and evaluates the Noelynn A11y Preflight Accessibility Checker, a Figma-based plugin that identifies selected accessibility concerns while users are still working in Figma.

The plugin checks for issues such as low color contrast, text-size readability concerns, missing or placeholder image descriptions, and target-size checks. An exploratory user study compared two groups of participants as they reviewed the same Figma interface, which contained intentionally embedded accessibility concerns. One group reviewed the interface manually, while the other group reviewed it with access to the plugin. The results suggest that participants with access to the plugin were better supported in identifying and correcting selected accessibility concerns than participants who reviewed the interface without tool support. These findings indicate that design-time accessibility feedback can make accessibility concerns more visible, organized, and actionable during UI/UX design. Although the plugin does not replace full WCAG compliance testing, screen reader testing, keyboard navigation testing, or human accessibility review, it demonstrates how accessibility support can be integrated earlier into design workflows.

Advisor

Nord, Alex

Department

Computer Science

Disciplines

Graphics and Human Computer Interfaces | Other Computer Sciences | Software Engineering

Keywords

accessibility, digital accessibility, shift-left accessibility, UI/UX design, user interface design, user experience design, Figma, Figma plugin, accessibility plugin, Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, WCAG, design-time accessibility, accessibility testing, human-computer interaction, inclusive design, accessible software, software engineering, user-centered design, design workflows, automated accessibility, accessibility evaluation, accessibility tools

Publication Date

2026

Degree Granted

Bachelor of Arts

Document Type

Senior Independent Study Thesis

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