Tips on Making Your Digital Space More Inclusive
by: Jareb Mathew
Designing accessible experiences is not just a responsibility; it's an opportunity to create more inclusive and user-friendly designs.
In today's digital age, creating designs that are accessible to everyone is not just a nice-to-have; it's a necessity. By ensuring accessibility in your designs, you can reach a broader audience and provide a more inclusive user experience. Here are seven practical ways to make your designs more accessible:
Prioritize Proper Heading Structure
Using correct heading structure is essential for users who rely on screen readers to navigate your content. Make sure your headings are hierarchical and accurately represent the structure of your content. Use <h1> for main headings, followed by <h2>, <h3>, and so on, for subheadings. This helps users understand the organization of your content and easily navigate through it.
Ensure Colour Contrast
Poor colour contrast can make it difficult for users with visual impairments to read your content. Aim for sufficient contrast between text and background colours to improve readability. Tools like WebAIM's Contrast Checker can help you test and ensure your colour combinations meet accessibility standards. Remember, accessibility is not just about compliance; it's about making your content usable by everyone.
Design Accessible Form Fields
Forms are common elements in websites and applications, but they can pose accessibility challenges if not designed properly. Ensure your form fields are properly labeled using <label> elements or ARIA attributes to provide context for screen reader users. Additionally, make sure your forms are keyboard accessible, allowing users to navigate and interact with them using only the keyboard.
Implement Clear Focus States
Focus states indicate which element on a web page is currently selected or active. Design clear and visible focus states to help users understand where they are in your interface, especially when navigating with a keyboard. Avoid relying solely on colour changes for focus indication, as this may not be perceivable for all users.
Use Semantic HTML
Semantic HTML elements convey the meaning and structure of your content, making it easier for screen readers to interpret. Use elements like <nav>, <article>, <section>, and <aside> appropriately to provide context and improve accessibility. Avoid using non-semantic elements like <div> or <span> when more appropriate semantic options are available.
Provide Descriptive Alt Text for Images
Images are an integral part of visual communication, but they can be inaccessible to users who rely on screen readers. Always include descriptive alt text for images to provide context and convey their purpose or content. Write concise yet informative alt text that describes the function or meaning of the image without being overly verbose.
Test with Real People
Ultimately, the best way to ensure your designs are accessible is to test them with real users who have different abilities and disabilities. Conduct usability testing with a diverse group of users, including those with visual, auditory, motor, and cognitive impairments. Pay attention to their feedback and use it to iteratively improve the accessibility of your designs.
In conclusion, designing accessible experiences is not just a responsibility; it's an opportunity to create more inclusive and user-friendly designs. By following these seven principles and incorporating accessibility into your design process from the start, you can make a positive impact and ensure that your designs are usable by everyone. Let's work together to create a more accessible digital world for all users.
Interested in Creating a More Accessible Digital World?
This blog post was written by Jareb, the Vice President of the Google Developer Student Club at all Sheridan Campuses. If you’re interested in growing as a developer, connecting with other students, and sharing information on how to create solutions for local businesses and their communities, get more info on Clubs Corner. In the spirit of supporting Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD), we call on the Sheridan community to strive to learn more about creating inclusive digital content and design.