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Making the Web Inclusive: 6 Visual Design Principles for Accessible UX

WAWW — Thu, 12 Mar 2020 16:51:56 +0000

1. Color Contrast is King: People with visual impairments, including color blindness, can struggle to distinguish between colors with low contrast. Move beyond aesthetics and ensure a minimum contrast ratio (WCAG guidelines provide specific ratios) between text and background colors. Tools like WebAIM’s WCAG Contrast Checker: https://webaim.org/resources/contrastchecker/ can help you verify contrast levels.

2. Font Size Matters: Small text can be a barrier for users with visual impairments or cognitive disabilities. Prioritize readability with font sizes of at least 16px and avoid relying solely on color to differentiate information. Consider using bold text for emphasis instead.

3. Embrace the Power of Text Alternatives: Not everyone can perceive visual content. Descriptive alt text for images, icons, and other non-text elements is essential for screen reader users and conveys the meaning behind the visuals.

4. Focus on User Flow, Not Just Aesthetics: Clear visual hierarchy and logical layout are crucial for guiding users through the website. Emphasize important elements like calls to action and navigation bars. Predictable layouts and consistent design patterns can benefit people with cognitive disabilities.

5. Beyond the Visual: Consider Diverse User Needs: Visual design goes beyond aesthetics. Consider users who rely on keyboard navigation or screen readers. Ensure your website is functional with these tools in mind. Use clear and concise language for labels and buttons, and structure content with proper headings and subheadings.

6. Prioritize Simplicity over Complexity: Flashy animations and overwhelming visuals can be distracting or disorienting for users with certain disabilities. Prioritize a clean and uncluttered design that focuses on clear information communication.

By following these principles, UX designers can create websites that are visually appealing and accessible to a broader audience. Remember, accessible design is not just good practice. It’s about inclusivity and ensuring everyone has a positive experience on your website.

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5 Questions To Ask Your Web Accessibility Team Before Hiring Them

WAWW — Thu, 12 Mar 2020 16:51:31 +0000

Here are 5 key questions to ask a web accessibility company before hiring them:

Experience and Expertise: *What level of experience do your team members have in web accessibility? Can you detail specific projects where you’ve achieved WCAG compliance at the level I need (A, AA, or AAA)?

A strong company will have a team with a proven track record in achieving accessibility standards. Look for experience relevant to your specific needs and WCAG compliance goals.

Accessibility Testing Process: *How will you assess the accessibility of my website? *What tools and methodologies do you use for testing? Will you involve users with disabilities in the testing process?

Understanding their testing approach is crucial. Look for companies that use a combination of automated tools and manual testing with assistive technologies. User testing with people with disabilities provides invaluable real-world insights.

Remediation Approach and Timeline: *How will you identify and prioritize accessibility issues? *What does your remediation process look like? Can you provide an estimated timeline for achieving compliance?

A clear plan for fixing accessibility problems is essential. Make sure they prioritize critical issues and explain how they’ll work with your development team. Ask for a realistic timeline based on the project scope.

Maintenance and Ongoing Support: *How will you help me maintain website accessibility as my site grows and changes? Do you offer ongoing support and training for my team?

Accessibility is an ongoing process, not a one-time fix. Look for a company that offers solutions for integrating accessibility into your development workflow and provides training for your team.

Cost and Transparency: *How do you structure your fees for accessibility services? Will you provide a detailed breakdown of the costs involved?

Transparency in pricing is important. Ask about their fee structure and get a detailed proposal outlining the scope of work and associated costs.

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Businesses Beware: Websites as Sitting Ducks in Web Accessibility Lawsuit Surge

WAWW — Thu, 12 Mar 2020 16:49:52 +0000

In today’s digital age, a well-designed website is no longer a luxury – it’s a necessity. But for many businesses, their online storefront could be harboring a hidden danger: web accessibility lawsuits. These lawsuits allege that a website discriminates against users with disabilities by failing to meet accessibility standards.

The number of web accessibility lawsuits has been steadily rising year-over-year. While the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) doesn’t explicitly mention websites, courts have increasingly interpreted it to apply to online spaces. This trend has left many businesses, particularly smaller ones without the resources to keep up, vulnerable.

What makes businesses sitting ducks for these lawsuits? Often, it’s simply a lack of awareness. Many businesses simply aren’t aware of the accessibility guidelines or the potential legal ramifications of non-compliance. Websites riddled with inaccessible features, like missing alt text for images, unclear navigation for screen reader users, or lack of keyboard compatibility, can all be grounds for a lawsuit.

The cost of non-compliance can be significant. Lawsuits can be expensive to defend, even if ultimately unsuccessful. Furthermore, a negative reputation for accessibility issues can damage a brand’s image and deter potential customers.

So, what can businesses do to protect themselves? The answer is simple: proactiveness. Working with a web accessibility expert is the best way to ensure your website meets accessibility standards. These experts can identify and fix existing issues, as well as implement best practices to prevent future problems.

By taking a proactive approach, businesses can avoid the costly pitfalls of web accessibility lawsuits. Not only will this protect them legally, but it will also ensure that their website is accessible to everyone, opening their doors to a wider customer base and fostering a more inclusive online experience.

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