Accessible UX

A comprehensive accessibility evaluation of the Costco app and website conducted as part of my UX design coursework.

Role
UX Researcher, Accessible UX

Tools
Figma, WCAG, Google Doc, WAVE, ANDI

Duration
August 2024 - December 2024

Grad School Class
Accessibility

Project Overview

Simultaneously, while conducting a usability study on the Costco app, I was also auditing the Costco website to ensure it met accessibility standards in accordance with WCAG 2.2, Conformance Level AA.

Background

For this accessibility audit, I analyzed three key pages of the Costco website:

  • Homepage

  • Product Page

  • Checkout Page

I utilized two evaluation tools, ANDI and WAVE, to assess accessibility compliance.

A Quick Snapshot of the Costco Website

Homepage

Product Page

Checkout Page

Overall Results

The Costco website meets WCAG 2.2 A and AA standards. The audit evaluated 55 criteria under WCAG 2.2 AA, with the following outcomes:

  • 35 criteria passed

  • 3 criteria failed

  • 1 criterion was inconclusive

  • 16 criteria were not applicable

Recommended Actions

Strengths in Accessibility

The website demonstrated strong accessibility in the following areas:

✔️ Alternative text for images
✔️ Keyboard navigation
✔️ Text resizing when zooming
✔️ Consistent navigation structure

Key Areas for Improvement

To enhance accessibility further, the following issues should be prioritized:

⚠️ Color contrast across all elements
⚠️ Clear and apparent headings
⚠️ Proper labels and instructions
⚠️ Error identification and correction

My Learnings

Throughout this project, I gained valuable insights into both the accessibility auditing process and how to optimize my workflow.

  • Experimenting with Tools: I had to explore and experiment with both WAVE and ANDI to determine the best way to use them effectively. Each tool has its strengths, and finding the right approach took some trial and error.

  • Establishing a Workflow: Conducting an accessibility audit is a detailed process. To stay focused, I developed a rhythm—going through the line item by line item while listening to relaxing music. This helped me maintain productivity.

  • The Importance of Detail: I learned that the more detailed my documentation, the better. Clear, thorough notes not only helped me track findings efficiently but also made it easier to communicate recommendations to stakeholders.