Accessibility checker plugins in Figma - Step-by-Step Guide

Introduction

Accessibility checker plugins help you find and fix design issues that make your Figma files hard to use for people with disabilities. They ensure your designs meet accessibility standards so everyone can use your product easily.

When you want to check color contrast to make text readable for users with vision impairments

When you need to verify that all interactive elements have accessible labels

When you want to ensure your design supports keyboard navigation

When you want to test if your design meets WCAG guidelines before handing off to developers

When you want to improve your design's inclusivity and usability for all users

Steps

Step 1: Open your design file

- Figma desktop app or web app

Your design file is visible and ready for review

Step 2: Click on the Resources icon (four dots) in the top toolbar

- Top toolbar in Figma

The Resources panel opens showing plugins and components

Step 3: Select the Plugins tab

- Resources panel

You see a list of available plugins

Step 4: Type 'Accessibility' in the search box

- Plugins tab search box

A list of accessibility checker plugins appears

Step 5: Click 'Install' on a plugin like 'Able' or 'Stark'

- Plugin listing

The plugin is added to your Figma account

Step 6: Run the installed plugin by right-clicking on the canvas and selecting Plugins > [Plugin Name]

- Canvas context menu

The plugin panel opens showing accessibility issues found in your design

Step 7: Review the issues and follow the plugin's suggestions to fix them

- Plugin panel

Your design updates to meet accessibility standards

Before vs After

Before

Design file with text colors that have low contrast and buttons missing labels

After

Design file with improved color contrast and all buttons having accessible labels

Settings Reference

Color Contrast Threshold

📍 Plugin settings panel

Sets the minimum contrast ratio required for text and background colors

Default: AA

Check Labels

📍 Plugin settings panel

Enables checking if interactive elements have accessible labels

Default: On

Keyboard Navigation Check

📍 Plugin settings panel

Checks if the design supports keyboard navigation

Default: On

Common Mistakes

Ignoring plugin warnings about low contrast

Users with vision impairments may not read the text clearly

Adjust colors to meet the contrast ratio recommended by the plugin

Running the plugin on only part of the design

Accessibility issues in other parts remain unnoticed

Run the plugin on the entire design or all relevant frames

Not installing or updating the plugin regularly

You miss new accessibility checks and improvements

Keep plugins updated and install trusted accessibility checkers

Summary

Accessibility checker plugins in Figma help find and fix design issues for users with disabilities.

They check color contrast, labels, and keyboard navigation to meet accessibility standards.

Always run the plugin on your full design and fix all reported issues to improve usability.

Practice

1. What is the main purpose of accessibility checker plugins in Figma?

easy

A. To find and help fix design issues that make content hard to use for everyone

B. To add animations and transitions to your design

C. To create new color palettes automatically

D. To export designs as code for developers

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the role of accessibility checkers

   Accessibility checker plugins scan designs to find problems that affect usability for people with disabilities.

2. Step 2: Compare options to the main purpose

   Only To find and help fix design issues that make content hard to use for everyone describes finding and fixing design issues for better accessibility, which matches the main purpose.

3. Final Answer:

   To find and help fix design issues that make content hard to use for everyone -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Accessibility checkers find usability problems = A [OK]

Hint: Accessibility plugins find usability problems in designs [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing accessibility checkers with design styling tools
• Thinking they create animations or export code
• Assuming they generate color palettes automatically

2. Which of the following is a common feature of accessibility checker plugins in Figma?

easy

A. Checking color contrast between text and background

B. Exporting SVG files

C. Adding interactive prototypes

D. Automatically generating user personas

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify typical accessibility checks

   Accessibility checkers often test color contrast to ensure text is readable for users with vision difficulties.

2. Step 2: Match features to options

   Checking color contrast between text and background matches this feature, while others relate to unrelated tasks like personas, prototypes, or exports.

3. Final Answer:

   Checking color contrast between text and background -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Color contrast check = D [OK]

Hint: Color contrast checking is key in accessibility tools [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing accessibility checks with user research tasks
• Thinking plugins add interactive features
• Assuming export functions are part of accessibility checks

3. After running an accessibility checker plugin in Figma, you see a warning about missing labels on buttons. What will happen if you fix this issue?

medium

A. The plugin will remove the buttons from the design

B. The buttons will automatically change color to improve contrast

C. The design file size will increase significantly

D. Screen readers will better describe the buttons to users with vision impairments

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the role of labels in accessibility

   Labels help screen readers describe buttons to users who cannot see the screen well.

2. Step 2: Analyze the effect of fixing missing labels

   Fixing missing labels improves screen reader descriptions, making the design more accessible.

3. Final Answer:

   Screen readers will better describe the buttons to users with vision impairments -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Fixing labels improves screen reader output = C [OK]

Hint: Labels help screen readers describe UI elements [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking fixing labels changes colors automatically
• Assuming plugins delete elements when fixing issues
• Believing file size grows much after fixing labels

4. You ran an accessibility checker plugin but it did not detect poor color contrast in your design. What is the most likely reason?

medium

A. The plugin was not given permission to access color styles

B. The text and background colors actually meet contrast standards

C. The plugin only checks for missing labels, not color contrast

D. Your design file is corrupted

Solution

1. Step 1: Consider plugin capabilities

   Most accessibility checkers test color contrast automatically unless limited by permissions or scope.

2. Step 2: Evaluate the design colors

   If no contrast issues are found, it likely means the colors meet accessibility standards.

3. Final Answer:

   The text and background colors actually meet contrast standards -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   No contrast warning means colors are compliant = B [OK]

Hint: No contrast warning usually means colors are good [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming plugins need special permissions for color checks
• Thinking plugins only check labels, not colors
• Blaming file corruption without evidence

5. You want to ensure your Figma design is accessible to users with color blindness and screen readers. Which combination of plugin checks should you run?

hard

A. Export format validation and prototype linking

B. Animation speed check and font size adjustment

C. Color contrast check and missing label detection

D. Grid layout alignment and shadow effects

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify accessibility needs for color blindness and screen readers

   Color blindness requires good contrast; screen readers need proper labels.

2. Step 2: Match plugin checks to these needs

   Color contrast check ensures visibility; missing label detection helps screen readers describe elements.

3. Final Answer:

   Color contrast check and missing label detection -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Contrast + labels cover color blindness and screen readers = A [OK]

Hint: Check contrast and labels for best accessibility [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Choosing unrelated checks like animation or export
• Ignoring label importance for screen readers
• Focusing only on layout or visual effects