Today, more and more websites and applications are being created with a focus on accessibility. Accessibility design is a critical aspect of modern web and application development, as it ensures that everyone can use and access the content. From those who are visually impaired to those with motor impairments and even those who have difficulty reading, an accessible design can increase the potential user base and make for a more satisfying experience for all.
In this article, we’ll be diving into the why and how of designing accessible content. We will start by discussing what accessibility is, why it’s important, and some of the legal requirements around creating accessible content. Then, we’ll move on to highlighting some key tips and considerations for accessible design that can be incorporated into any project.
What is Accessibility?
Accessibility refers to the principle of designing content and experiences with a focus on inclusion. In other words, creating content or applications that can be used by a wide variety of people with a range of abilities and limitations.
This can refer to both physical and cognitive or neurological impairments. For example, designing content with a user who is blind in mind might involve using alternative text for images, as well as ensuring all fields are navigable with a screen-reader. Additionally, an accessible design might also take into consideration someone with a cognitive disability that makes it difficult to follow complex navigation structures.
Why is Accessibility Important?
Accessibility is important because it’s the right thing to do. Everyone should have equal access to content and experiences regardless of their abilities. However, there are also a number of more pragmatic reasons why accessibility is a good idea for anyone creating websites and applications.
First of all, an accessible design can increase a website or application’s user base. By taking the needs of those with impairments into consideration, an application can become easily navigable and usable for an increasingly large number of people. In terms of business, this can give a website a competitive edge by allowing it to reach a larger audience.
Additionally, having an accessible website is important for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. This act requires that all public and private businesses provide remediation to their websites to ensure they are accessible to those with disabilities for basic features like reading, inputting data, and navigating.
Design Tips for Accessibility
When designing for accessibility, it’s important to think about an individual’s entire user experience. For a start, make sure to prioritize structure and simplicity. By reducing unnecessary elements and using clear, concise text, you can make an application easier to understand and navigate. Additionally, make sure to use high contrast colors that can be easily seen by those with vision impairments.
Additionally, it’s important to think of the underlying structure and layout of an application or website. An accessible design will be designed to be navigated in a linear way, with easy-to-reach controls at all points in the process. This means prioritizing the reading order and ensuring that all forms and interactive elements are properly labeled and easily accessible.
Conclusion
Creating an accessible design is important to your project’s success, regardless of your target audience. By keeping an accessible design in mind from the beginning, you can ensure that your project provides a pleasant and inclusive experience for all users. Furthermore, a simplified and straight-forward design can often lead to a better experience for everyone, regardless of their abilities or limitations. With a few simple changes, you can create a more accessible website or application that can be enjoyed by everyone.