Why accessibility matters in translation tools: Improving our CAT editor

The CAT editor is where translation work actually happens. Linguists move through segments, review context, manage terminology, and confirm translations inside this environment throughout the working day. Because so much of the workflow takes place here, the usability of this space has a direct impact on how efficiently and comfortably linguists can work.

Accessibility plays an important role in shaping that experience. Clear navigation, predictable interface behavior, and strong keyboard support help linguists move through tasks with greater focus and fewer interruptions. These improvements are particularly important for users who rely on assistive technologies or keyboard-based workflows, but they also improve usability for everyone working in the editor.

Inclusive product design ensures that translation tools can support a wider range of users and working styles. When accessibility is considered as part of product development, the result is often a clearer and more intuitive interface that benefits the entire translation community.

“Localization and accessibility share the same fundamental goal: removing barriers so everyone can participate. Localization ensures people can understand content in their own language, while accessibility ensures they can interact with it regardless of ability.

At Phrase, we see accessibility as a natural extension of our mission to open the door to global business, which is why we continue to improve the accessibility of our TMS so more people can contribute to and benefit from global content.”

– Semih Altinay, VP AI Solutions, Phrase

WCAG-aligned improvements in the CAT editor

We have recently introduced a series of accessibility improvements to our CAT editor, aligning key parts of the interface with internationally recognized accessibility standards, including the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).

These updates strengthen how users navigate and interact with the editor. Improvements to keyboard usability, focus management, and interface behavior help create a more predictable and consistent working environment, making it easier for linguists to move through tasks and maintain orientation while translating.

The work builds on internal accessibility analysis across Phrase products, where teams evaluated areas such as navigation order, keyboard interaction, and visual focus indicators. These insights helped guide development priorities and ensure accessibility considerations are incorporated into the ongoing design and evolution of the CAT editor.

Why Phrase started with the CAT editor

Within the Phrase Localization Platform, the CAT editor is the environment where linguists spend most of their time. It is where translation work is created, reviewed, and finalized across projects of every size. Because of this, improvements to the editor have the most immediate impact on the day to day experience of linguists and language professionals using Phrase.

Prioritizing accessibility in the CAT editor therefore ensures that the benefits reach the largest number of users. Enhancing navigation, interaction patterns, and keyboard usability in this environment helps translators and reviewers work more efficiently and with fewer barriers during their core workflow.

By focusing on the editor first, Phrase can deliver meaningful improvements where they matter most. This approach ensures accessibility enhancements support the everyday work of linguists while also establishing a strong foundation for future improvements across the platform.

What the improvements mean in practice

The accessibility improvements focus on how linguists interact with the CAT editor during everyday translation work. Rather than introducing a single new feature, the update improves how the interface behaves across common workflows, making navigation clearer and interactions more predictable.

Key improvements include:

Logical navigation order

Interactive elements now follow a predictable navigation sequence. This makes it easier for users to move through the editor using keyboard controls and improves compatibility with assistive technologies.

Clear focus indicators

Selected elements display visible focus indicators, helping users easily identify their current position on the screen and move between tasks with greater confidence.

Keyboard-first usability

Most actions within the editor can now be completed without using a mouse. This supports keyboard-only workflows and improves accessibility for users with motor impairments.

Improved modal behavior

When dialog windows or pop-ups open, focus remains inside the modal until it is closed. Once closed, focus reliably returns to the element that triggered the action, helping users maintain context while working.

Accessibility checks integrated into development

Accessibility considerations are now embedded more consistently into development and testing processes. Tools such as Lighthouse are used to evaluate new features and help ensure accessibility improvements remain consistent as the CAT editor evolves.

Accessibility as part of building a better product experience

Improving accessibility in the CAT editor is part of Phrase’s broader commitment to creating a better product experience for the linguists and language professionals who rely on the platform every day.

“Improving accessibility in the CAT editor is part of our broader commitment to building better product experiences for everyone working in the Phrase platform.

We started with the editor because it is where users spend long hours under tight deadlines and need to focus on translating or revising content—not on navigation or unnecessary cognitive load. Usability improvements across the rest of the platform will follow.”

– Pavel Křivda, Senior Product Manager, Phrase

Accessibility as part of product evolution

The accessibility improvements in the CAT editor represent an important milestone, but they are not the end of the journey. Accessibility is becoming more deeply integrated into how Phrase products are designed, developed, and tested.

As the platform evolves, accessibility considerations are increasingly included in product design discussions and quality assurance processes. This helps ensure usability, navigation clarity, and inclusive interaction patterns are considered early in the development cycle rather than added later.

Internal testing frameworks and accessibility evaluation tools also play an important role in maintaining progress. By incorporating these checks into development workflows, teams can identify potential issues earlier and continue improving accessibility as new features and capabilities are introduced.

Together, these practices help ensure accessibility remains a consistent part of the product experience as Phrase continues to evolve.

Building a more inclusive workspace for linguists

For linguists and language teams, accessibility improvements in the CAT editor translate into a more intuitive and reliable workspace. Clear navigation, stronger keyboard support, and predictable interface behavior help reduce friction in everyday workflows, allowing translators and reviewers to focus on the work itself rather than the tools they use.

For Phrase, this milestone represents another step toward building products that are easier to use, more inclusive, and designed to support the diverse needs of global language professionals. By continuing to integrate accessibility considerations into product development, Phrase aims to ensure its platform remains usable and effective for the broad community of teams who rely on it every day.