Happy Blue Beanie Day '25!

November 30th marks Blue Beanie Day, an annual celebration of web standards and accessibility that started back in 2007. The tradition? Wear a blue beanie, share a selfie, and recommit to building a more accessible web.

At Infinity Interactive, we don't just celebrate Blue Beanie Day once a year; we live these principles every day. Here's why accessibility matters to us, and why it should be part of every project from day one.

Why Accessibility Isn't Optional

When we build software, we're building for people. All people. Not just those with perfect vision, hearing, and motor control. Not just those using the latest devices with high-speed internet.

Accessibility means:

• Blind users can navigate your application with a screen reader
• Colorblind users can distinguish important UI elements
• Keyboard-only users can complete every task without a mouse
• Users with motor impairments can interact with controls that have adequate click targets
• Users on slow connections can still access critical functionality
• Users with cognitive differences can understand your interface without confusion

But here's the thing: accessible design makes everyone's experience better.

Clear navigation? Helpful for everyone. Keyboard shortcuts? Power users love them. High contrast text? Easier to read in bright sunlight. Semantic HTML? Better SEO and faster page loads.

When you build with accessibility in mind, you're not just helping a minority of users. You're making your product better for everyone.

Accessibility From Day One

Here's a conversation we hear too often:

"We'll add accessibility later, after we prove the concept."

"Let's launch the MVP first, then circle back to accessibility."

"We'll make it accessible when we have more budget."

We've learned the hard way: accessibility retrofitted is accessibility compromised.

When you try to add accessibility after the fact:

• You're fighting against architectural decisions that assumed mouse interaction
• You're fixing color choices that were never tested for contrast
• You're adding ARIA labels to components that should have been semantic from the start
• You're spending 10x the time you would have spent building it right initially

Building It Right From The Start

At Infinity Interactive, accessibility is part of our design and development process from the very first wireframe:

1. Semantic HTML First - We use native elements whenever possible (<button>, <nav>, <main>) instead of generic <div> elements with click handlers
2. Color Contrast Checking - We use tools to verify color choices meet WCAG AA standards, aiming for AAA when possible
3. Keyboard Navigation - Every interactive element is tested with keyboard-only navigation
4. Screen Reader Compatibility - We build with screen reader support in mind, using proper ARIA labels and semantic markup
5. Focus Management - Visible focus indicators and logical tab order are requirements, not nice-to-haves
6. Alternative Text - Images, icons, and visualizations get descriptive alt text from the start

Even in proofs of concept and rapid prototypes, these practices take minimal extra time because they're habits, not afterthoughts.

The Business Case

Beyond doing the right thing (which should be reason enough), accessibility makes business sense:

• Larger Market - The CDC estimates 26% of US adults have some type of disability. That's over 61 million potential users.
• Legal Compliance - ADA requirements apply to websites. Lawsuits over inaccessible sites are increasing.
• Better SEO - Semantic HTML and proper document structure help search engines understand your content.
• Improved UX - Accessible patterns (clear labels, logical flow, error prevention) benefit all users.
• Easier Maintenance - Semantic, well-structured code is easier to update and debug.

Start Building Accessible Today

Whether you're planning a new project or maintaining existing software, here are three things you can do right now:

1. Run an accessibility audit - Tools like axe DevTools and WAVE can identify quick wins
2. Test with keyboard only - Unplug your mouse and try to complete your most common user tasks
3. Check your color contrast - Use WebAIM's Contrast Checker on your text and UI elements

Building accessible software isn't about checking boxes or meeting legal minimums. It's about respecting the diversity of human experience and ensuring that our technology serves everyone, not just the able-bodied majority.

Happy Blue Beanie Day! Let's build a web that works for everyone.

Building accessible software from day one? That's our standard approach at Infinity Interactive. Whether you're starting a new project or need help making an existing application accessible, we'd love to talk. Let's discuss your needs →