Expand your potential audience! 54 million people in the US have a disability, 1.8 million are unable to see printed words, and 16.1 million have a cognitive or mental illness that impedes daily functioning (source opens in a new window).
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Expand your potential audience! 54 million people in the US have a disability, 1.8 million are unable to see printed words, and 16.1 million have a cognitive or mental illness that impedes daily functioning (source opens in a new window).
Be in compliance with legal guidelines, like Section 504/508 and WCAG 2.0.
2.5 million have difficulty having their speech understood.
16.1 million have limitations in cognitive functioning or who have a mental or emotional illness.
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Legal issues: Some sites, like Target, have been sued under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
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Legal issues: Some sites, like Target, have been sued under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) - which requires that businesses and nonprofits have the same access for disabled users as they have for able users.
Semantic structure is one of the most important usability features for screen reader users, as it helps them more easily understand and navigate the page structure. Headings also help all your users can and understand content. Read more about headings opens in a new window.
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// Headings should not skip levels until h1-h4 have been established
+ <h1>Most important</h1>
+ <h2>Next most important</h2>
+ <h3>Third most important</h3>
+ <h4>Other heading</h4>
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Tip: use the Firefox Web Developer Toolbar to inspect headings. Look under Information > View Document Outline.
This is a less-researched area of web accessibility. Here is a Cognitive 101.
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Minimize cognitive load--don't overwhelm the user.
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Use common icons to mark important tasks and consider text labels.
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If you have timed content (forms, image galleries, etc.) provide controls or allow users to extend time.
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CAPTCHAs aren't blind-friendly, are very difficult for users with learning disabilities like dyslexia, and annoy everyone. Consider an alternative method opens in a new window.
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Let's try it
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Visit a site you use frequently. Identify one accessibility feature that is part of the site and one feature you would change.
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Pick a page you're working on or download our demo page and try applying the techniques you've just learned
Semantic structure is one of the most important usability features for screen reader users, as it helps them more easily understand and navigate the page structure. Headings also help all your users can and understand content. Read more about headings opens in a new window.
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// Headings should not skip levels until h1-h4 have been established
-<h1>Most important</h1>
-<h2>Next most important</h2>
-<h3>Third most important</h3>
-<h4>Other heading</h4>
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Tip: use the Firefox Web Developer Toolbar to inspect headings. Look under Information > View Document Outline.
This is a less-researched area of web accessibility. Here is a Cognitive 101.
+
Minimize cognitive load--don't overwhelm the user.
+
Use common icons to mark important tasks and consider text labels.
+
If you have timed content (forms, image galleries, etc.) provide controls or allow users to extend time.
+
CAPTCHAs aren't blind-friendly, are very difficult for users with learning disabilities like dyslexia, and annoy everyone. Consider an alternative method opens in a new window.
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External Links
Provide affordances to warn users.
@@ -197,6 +216,17 @@
Let's Look at Some Code
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Physical Disabilities
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Many users with limited mobility interact with the screen via keyboard.
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Other users use a mouse, but have trouble with fine motor control.
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Make clickable elements large, and put space between them.
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Avoid clickable page elements that move.
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Animations with rapid flickers are not only annoying, they can trigger epileptic seizures.
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These guidelines also help children and touchscreen users!
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