Let's imagine that one day, you pick up your device and realize that everything is designed regardless of your ability to use it. At present, it is estimated that 15% of the population suffers from some type of illness. In other words, approximately 1 billion people face this challenge when interacting with interfaces. That's why I was interested in writing this note to share 5 strategies for designing accessible interfaces.
A few years ago, I accidentally activated my phone's screen reader. I tried to use the device with the reader turned on and found that it was practically impossible. It was a completely new way of interacting with my phone and actions that were previously easy and fast took me much longer. It completely baffled me. I just wanted to turn off reading so I could use my phone normally.
Recalling that personal experience led me to reflect on the importance of accessibility when designing and developing interfaces. Although as UXers we carry out user studies to design based on their needs, it is essential to question whether we are adequately considering people with disabilities in our design process, even if they are not the main users.
Accessibility is a crucial topic in UX design. For a design to be truly effective, it's important to consider all users, including those who have disabilities.
Accessibility is a fundamental practice that allows us to ensure that all people, including those with disabilities, can effectively interact with the interface.
We need to consider accessibility in our design and development process to prevent users from being denied access to our interface or content. We must take care to follow good practices and standards of accessibility, in order to guarantee equal access and equal opportunities for all people, regardless of their abilities.
Accessibility is based on four fundamental principles: perception, operability, understanding and robustness. Each of these principles is defined by a set of guidelines that must be met to ensure accessibility.
🔍Recommendation: Learn more about the standard accessibility rules for web design by logging in W3C.
Here are 5 aspects that you should consider when designing interfaces so that they are accessible to all users.
Make sure that the contrast between the text and the background is sufficient to make it easy to read. It is recommended a minimum contrast of 4. 5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text.
The size of the text is also important for legibility. It should be large enough to be readable by all users, especially those with visual disabilities. A minimum font size of 16px is recommended for normal text.
If icons are used, they must be clear and easily recognizable. Text labels should be included to describe the function of the icon for users with visual or cognitive disabilities.
It's important to use clear and concise labels to describe buttons and input fields, so that users know exactly what's expected of them. Use simple words and phrases, avoid jargon and technicalities. Make your content easy for everyone to digest!
Animations and visual effects can be distractions for some users and cause accessibility issues. It is recommended to limit their use and ensure that they are accessible to all users. Avoid flashing elements on your interface, as this can cause seizures in people with photosensitive epilepsy. If you must use items that blink, make sure they meet accessibility requirements, such as limiting the blink frequency and providing an option to turn them off. Let everyone enjoy the content risk-free!
🔍 Recommendation: Test to make sure it's easy to use for all users, including those with visual or cognitive disabilities. Use accessibility tools such as screen readers to check the accessibility of your visual design.
In conclusion, designing accessible interfaces is essential to ensure that all people can access online information effectively and without barriers. By following these strategies in your design process, you can improve the user experience and make your website or application more accessible to everyone. Make all your users feel welcome and can enjoy the content without limitations!
I invite you to put yourself in the shoes of users with disabilities. Activate the read-aloud function on your mobile phone, browse your favorite websites and tell us: How are you feeling? Are your favorite websites adapted to be used with screen readers? Get to know our service of UX/UI or contact us
By Analia Tejada UX/UI designer of Balloon Group
