The Paralympics serve as a great reminder that we have communities of users who want the same access to the websites and applications we create. Like those that compete, they seek methods to connect and run with us.
I must admit, as a UX designer I wrinkled my brow when first introduced to the concept of ensuring that the sites I designed could be ‘seen’ by blind people. It was a new concept to me but digging into the world of ADA revealed a fascinating approach to how we can include sizable segments of the population.
In my previous career, this concern was brought up as an afterthought. Usually because of an expired budget and lack of time, it was a checkbox that we would try to handle after the site was finished. Generally, it involved a nod to colorblind people, and I would hastily tack on helper text to my red, blue, and green icons. It frustrated me that a seemingly random segment of the population would disrupt my precious, beautifully designed interface. A typical response from the client was, ‘Hopefully no one will notice. I’m sure nobody will ever challenge us on it.’
But it turns out that there is a good-sized part of our potential audience that does notice. If you are colorblind, you are in good company. In fact, nearly 5% of the US population has a form of color blindness. 3.6% of the population has a visual impairment, including over a million blind people.
Aside from visual impairments, there are also physical challenges that affect motor skills or restrict the accurate movement of hands and fingers. Many older users are dealing with tremors. There are those with muscular dystrophy or the roughly one million people out there with Parkinson’s that will have difficulties when presented with sloppy or impractical navigation styles.
This community of users can be overlooked but they make up a significant percentage of our potential audience. We need to make sure that the content we create can be accessed by people using adaptive access devices. These Assistive Technologies translate a web page into something that can be digitally magnified in size or dictated as text. Sites can also be navigated by keyboard only or even by voice, but only if that site is built to cooperate with these helper applications.
Adapting our site designs and code to interface with these tools benefits us in many ways. We can boost our level of excellence and quality by making accessibility a priority in how we deliver projects. Proper UX in this regard enhances the overall experience for everyone. Clear navigation, alternative text for images, and captioned video improves usability for all users, including those with temporary impairments or situational limitations.
Accessible websites often perform better in search engine rankings. Features like properly labeled images, clear headings, and descriptive link texts improve SEO, making the site easier to find. Adhering to accessibility standards prepares websites for future technological advancements and regulatory changes. As the internet evolves, compliance ensures that websites remain usable and relevant.
Good accessibility reinforces our commitment to inclusivity, broadens the audience, and taps into a larger market. It communicates a commitment to social responsibility. Demonstrating that we value diversity enhances our reputation and fosters trust and customer loyalty.
I’m proud of the fact that the sites Improving builds for State governments and educational groups are meeting these requirements. Not only is it the law, but it serves to elevate the standards of all our site builds to the highest standards of accessibility.
Maybe it’s an overly dramatic analogy, but running alongside our audience ensures that no one is left behind. It elevates us to a high level of excellence and responsibility. Guide runners must keep pace with their partner, building trust through perfect sync and a strong bond.
Those in the accessibility community are ready to run with us if we can offer them a winning path to run. When we ensure our sites are built with interfaces that go the distance, we will continue to meet the gold medal standard Improving is known for. Contact us today to start your inclusive UX journey.
