Before/After Redesign: A Financial App's Accessibility Overhaul Improved Readability and Trust

Design · 5 min read

An accessibility audit flagged low contrast in statement text, small touch targets in the transaction list, and inconsistent focus states for keyboard navigation. The design team prioritized fixes that impacted the largest number of daily interactions: typography scale, color palette adjustments to meet WCAG AA contrast, and touch target expansion for transaction rows.

The after design introduced a typographic system with three discrete scales for headings, body, and captions, used a high-contrast palette for primary information, and added auxiliary affordances such as clearer error states and persistent confirmation toasts. Designers also audited the interaction model for screen-readers and implemented semantic landmarks to simplify navigation.

User testing with a diverse panel found reading speed improved and comprehension of balances and fees rose by 18%. Support tickets about mistaken transfers and unclear fee presentation dropped significantly. Beyond compliance, the redesign increased perceived trustworthiness among participants, reinforcing that accessibility improvements often translate directly into core product outcomes like clarity, trust, and operational efficiency.