Strategies for Managing Designer Bias in the Creation of Accessible Designs
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In the realm of web design, ensuring digital inclusivity is paramount. This principle is particularly important when catering to users with disabilities. Here are some key rules of thumb to follow, based on the WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) principles often summarized as POUR: Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, and Robust.
Challenging Internal Biases
When designing for accessibility, it's crucial to consciously counteract assumptions about how users with disabilities interact. This involves inviting diverse perspectives and questioning internal cognitive biases when making design decisions. Using outside expertise can help break habitual views that could exclude the needs of certain users.
Typography Matters
Accessible design requires clear, legible text with sufficient font sizes and line spacing. Larger, readable fonts reduce strain, especially for seniors or users with visual impairments. Flexible text resizing (up to 200%) without breaking layout is recommended. Simple, clear fonts that avoid decorative elements improve readability and comprehension.
Navigation and Keyboard Operability
All functions should be operable via keyboard alone, with clear focus indicators that help users track where they are. Navigation should be consistent, logical, and predictable, enabling users with motor disabilities or screen readers to move around effectively. Avoid time limits or flashing content that might cause difficulties or seizures.
Color Blindness and Contrast
Strong color contrast between text and background is a must, ensuring content remains visible to color-blind users or those with low vision. Information should not rely on color alone; redundant cues like patterns or labels need to accompany color-coded information.
Designing for a Wide Range of Users
Some users may find it difficult to use designs that rely heavily on color. Screen reader users may have a different understanding of visual layouts compared to sighted users. Large target sizes are important for user interaction. User research is the best way to understand user needs, but if not possible, be aware of designer biases, particularly the visual bias when designing for users who rely on screen readers.
A Few More Considerations
Approximately 10% of all males are color-blind, so be mindful of the colors used in web designs. Labels should be positioned close to the elements they relate to. Following these rules of thumb early in the design process can help create digitally inclusive web pages.
In summary, the key design rules include:
- Use WCAG’s POUR principles as a foundation.
- Challenge internal biases to include diverse user needs.
- Employ large, legible typography with scalable sizes.
- Ensure keyboard operability and consistent navigation.
- Maintain high color contrast and do not rely solely on color cues.
These rules ensure inclusivity for users with disabilities across cognitive, visual, and motor challenges, promoting equitable digital experiences.
- To ensure equitable digital experiences, UX design should challenge internal biases and invites diverse perspectives during the design process, as it is crucial to counteract assumptions about how users with disabilities interact.
- In the realm of UI design, it's essential to employ large, legible typography with scalable sizes, as this approach reduces strain and improves readability for users with visual impairments or seniors, following the guidelines of digital inclusivity.
