As someone whose job is to empathize and make design inclusive and accessible, I am beyond happy to see the importance of UX getting the recognition it deserves.
Accessibility and inclusivity. What is the difference?
Two important factors in UX are accessibility and inclusivity. While they both are very similar in meaning, they are slightly different. Creating accessible products means creating something that can be experienced by everyone. It focuses more on measurable facts like font size, contrast ratio, and making sure images have alt texts. On the other hand, inclusive design is more emotional. It’s about empathizing with our audience and getting into their point of view. By doing so, you come to understand that your product will touch a wide range of users who all have different capabilities, environments, contexts, and situations. It is a methodology that focuses on learning as much as you can about your audience, from all different perspectives.
Design that can benefit literally everyone.
Every single person on this earth has unique abilities and limitations, and designing for individuals with disabilities can actually lead to a design that benefits everyone universally. Embracing these constraints can be a beautiful thing in design. For example, captions and transcripts for videos not only benefit the hearing-impaired but also non-native speakers and users in noisy environments. Similarly, larger text sizes and high contrast options can help users with visual impairments as well as users on small screens or in bright sunlight.
Helpful tips
Here are some helpful tips I like to keep in mind when I am creating products:
I try to use clear and descriptive text for links and buttons instead of using “click here.”
I always provide alternative text for images so that users with visual impairments can still understand the content.
I keep my language simple and easy to understand, avoiding technical terms or jargon that might confuse some users.
I make sure your product can be navigated using a keyboard, as some users may not be able to use a mouse.
I design with color blindness in mind by using high contrast and avoiding relying solely on color to convey information. Before I commit to a color palette, I always run the colors through the WebAIM contrast checker to make sure I am complying with guidelines. There are many more useful tools out there too.
In conclusion, building a product that is inclusive and accessible to all is never a waste of time or resources. On the contrary, by taking these into consideration, you will be creating a user experience that everyone can enjoy by not only focusing on their needs but also their wants. If you’d like to know more about how inclusive and accessible design can benefit your product, get in touch with us.
