Accessibility isn’t a checkbox, it’s a mindset. In this article, OutSystems developer Meri Hayrapetyan shares her firsthand experience making a live E-Commerce app fully accessible, navigating real-world constraints while aligning with the European Accessibility Act. What started as a compliance effort became a deeper journey into inclusive design and user-centric thinking.
From outdated widgets and architectural limitations to tough calls on prioritization and project scope, Meri breaks down the practical challenges of integrating accessibility into an existing product. As a backend developer learning accessibility on the go, she offers a grounded view into the steep learning curve and why collaboration, curiosity, and continuous iteration matter more than perfection.
Alongside those hard-earned insights, the article offers actionable best practices: from semantic HTML and keyboard navigation to ARIA usage and focus management. Whether you're building from scratch or retrofitting an app, this piece gives you a practical foundation for making your product more usable for everyone.