3. UX Fundamentals of Accessibility

Making digital products usable by people with disabilities.

Guidelines that ensure digital content is accessible to everyone.

Ensuring information is accessible to all senses, like replacing images with text descriptions for visually impaired users.

Allowing users to easily navigate and interact with all parts of a website, like using the keyboard to reach every button.

Providing clear and easy-to-understand content for all users.

Ensuring that content remains accessible even as technology advances.

Providing alternatives for non-text content like images using text descriptions.

Software that reads on-screen text aloud for visually impaired individuals to access digital content.

Devices that amplify sound for those with hearing loss, enhancing their ability to hear clearly.

Technology that converts spoken language into written text, enabling users to interact with computers using their voice.

Tools that present a text-based transcript of audio content in videos, making spoken information accessible to hearing-impaired individuals.

HTML tags that provide a logical structure for web content, helping screen readers and other assistive technologies understand the content's organization effectively.

HTML tags (h1 to h6) that define headings on web pages, creating levels of importance and hierarchy within content.

Elements in HTML code that act like signposts, guiding assistive technologies to navigate and interpret the content based on designated areas like header, navigation, main content, etc.

Icons or images solely for visual appeal that do not provide functional information and should be ignored by screen readers.

Icons or images that provide essential functionality or information to users and must be made accessible to screen readers.

Visible labels connect form fields with their purpose. They help everyone understand what information is needed, especially those using screen readers.

Clear and concise error messages explain what went wrong and how to fix it. They prevent frustration and empower users to submit correct data.

Structured headings (h1 to h6) create a clear hierarchical organization for your content. This makes navigation easier for everyone, especially users with visual impairments.

Lists present information in an organized way, making it easy to understand and follow. They are also very accessible to screen readers, which can read the list items one by one.

Forms with built-in safeguards allow users to double-check their input before submitting. This prevents errors and gives users control over their data.

Icons and images that provide meaningful information to users, such as indicating actions or status.

Text or ARIA labels that describe the function of an icon or image.

Descriptive text that explains the purpose of an image, focusing on function rather than appearance.

Using color alone to convey information, like green for 'online' and red for 'offline'.

Providing multiple cues, such as text labels and patterns, alongside color, to convey information effectively.

The ratio of contrast between text and its background, essential for readability, especially for users with low vision or color blindness.

A non-solid background that is not a uniform color, such as gradients or patterns.

Using non-solid backgrounds only for heading text, and ensuring the text size is at least 18 pixels.

Gradients where the color at the top differs from the color at the bottom, making text easier to read on non-solid backgrounds.

Horizontal, diagonal, and radial gradients are less accessible than vertical ones because they can make reading challenging due to inconsistent contrast.

A backup background color should be defined by designers as some users may disable background images due to accessibility issues. This color ensures that the text content remains legible and meets contrast requirements for readability, even without the background image.

Animations that flash or blink rapidly, exceeding 3 times per second, can be harmful to users, especially those with photosensitive conditions. Designers should avoid such animations to prevent user seizures.

Animations that last longer than 5 seconds must offer options for users to pause, stop, or hide the animation. This control allows users to manage animations that might be distracting or cause discomfort.

Animations that move excessively can lead to user discomfort and dizziness. The size of the animation movement on the screen plays a crucial role in this. Smaller animations are generally less unsettling and less likely to cause dizziness compared to larger ones.

Animations that represent depth effects can disorient users and cause confusion or discomfort. Designers should use caution and ensure that depth effects are subtle and intuitive to avoid any negative user experience.

Mismatched directions of movement within animations, especially in parallax effects, can create an illusion of depth and motion that may lead to disorientation and dizziness. Consistent and coordinated movement in animations helps reduce the likelihood of such issues.

Animations that are too long, flash rapidly, or have inconsistent movement can cause discomfort and potential health risks for some users. Designers should follow established guidelines to ensure that animations are accessible and user-friendly.

Animations can enhance the user interface by providing a sense of orientation. However, improperly designed animations can lead to dizziness, discomfort, or even negative health consequences. Designers must be mindful of accessibility guidelines and user experience when creating and implementing animations.

To avoid causing dizziness, designers should focus on the size of the animation, perceived distance, and the direction of movement. Larger, deep animations are more likely to cause discomfort, while mismatched movement directions can create an illusion of disorientation.

Designers should create animations that are accessible and user-friendly, ensuring that users don't experience any discomfort or health risks. This involves creating animations that avoid flashing, blinking, or excessive movement while offering control to users.