Figma plugins for accessibility
To meet the accessibility standards and access a collection of top-notch tools for creating products with improved accessibility within Figma, explore this list of plugins.
Free Plugin
A11Y colour contrast checker
The A11y plugin for Figma stands out as one of the most widely used plugins. It guarantees text legibility for users by following the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).
This plugin assesses the color contrast ratio of all visible text within a frame and offers feedback on whether it meets WCAG's AA and/or AAA level compliance. Additionally, it provides color sliders, allowing users to fine-tune colors and observe real-time changes in the corresponding contrast ratio.
PROS: the ability to evaluate the contrast ratio of your entire Figma artboard. This preview offers insights into how your design will appear on your website or app.
CONS: Depending on how a layer is constructed, this plugin may encounter limitations in accessing all the text, potentially leading to misleading results.
Contrast
Contrast simplifies the process of verifying color contrast ratios as you work. When you select a layer, Contrast will promptly analyze the color directly behind your selection. It provides you with the contrast ratio and indicates whether it meets the passing or failing levels outlined in the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). In cases where Contrast cannot detect the background color, simply add another layer to your selection, and Contrast will compare them both for you.
PROS: Same with A11Y
CONS: Same with A11Y. Depending on how a layer is constructed, this plugin is also may encounter limitations in accessing all the text.
Able
Able plugin seamlessly integrates color contrast and color blindness considerations into your workflow with minimal effort. Simply open Able, and it will automatically compare the contrast between the two layers you choose. This allows you to keep Able open and easily select layers for comparison without the need to rerun or update the plugin.
PROS: It shows the font size option also has a link to the color contrast guideline.
CONS: You should select only two layers rather than the entire artboard, as this can save you unnecessary effort.
Color Blind
You can employ the color-blindness plugin to obtain a precise and real-time simulation of your designs tailored to the specific type of color vision disorder you've chosen.
PROS: You can effortlessly preview and generate images depicting various colorblind versions.
CONS: There are no drawbacks to note. The plugin is user-friendly and provides all the essential options needed for effective use.
Text Resizer
Text resizer empowers users to tailor text sizes to meet WCAG requirements, and when implemented correctly, it is compatible with all operating systems and browsers.
Many users, irrespective of visual impairments, prefer to make slight adjustments to text size, either enlarging or reducing it. Hence, understanding how your design accommodates these changes becomes imperative. This is where Text Resizer excels, providing you with precise insights into this behavior.
PROS: You can conveniently adjust all text sizes at once using the 'rem' unit.
Dev note: It can be used for text size change options preview function, imbedding to the app or web.
CONS: It's worth noting that this function is not compatible with Variable and style settings."
Dev note: do not use it to change rem. One rem is always 16px.
A11y Focus Order
A11y Focus Orderer , developed by Microsoft, proves highly beneficial for users who rely on a keyboard or other input devices to navigate an application. This tool specifies the precise order in which elements should receive focus within the browser, enhancing accessibility and user experience.
Add accessibility annotations over your design.
Bulk add, remove, reorder, and update your annotations
Create multiple annotation sets that can be named and styled with a different color
Annotations are stored in a single-layer group that can be toggled on / off
PROS: This A11y tool is a rare gem tailored for users who depend on the keyboard or other input devices for navigation.
CONS: Unfortunately, project budgets seldom allocate resources for additional features such as this.
Spelll
This plugin brings a spell-checking feature to Figma and FigJam, similar to the one found in Google Docs. It continuously scans your Figma or FigJam document for spelling errors and offers a convenient one-click solution to correct them.
PROS: It is easy to check the grammar errors.
CONS: You need to get a license key to use the plugin.
Not Free
Stark Accessibility Tools (not free; also need an account)
With a comprehensive suite of tools like Contrast Checker, Focus Order, Alt-Text Annotations, Vision Simulator, and more, all conveniently located in one place, you can easily identify and address accessibility issues in your designs before they enter the production phase—or swiftly analyze and rectify those already in progress.
PROS: This plugin provides in-depth results for all accessibility options.
CONS: Not free, also need an account
https://www.figma.com/community/collections/plugins-accessibility
Please check the link to see more Figma plugins for accessibility.