Accessibility beyond code

Facts * People not defined by having a learning disability * Range of other disabilities, preferences etc * Different ways of going online: keyboard only, assistive technology, mobile phones * = Not one label, not one fix

Facts * People with learning disabilities do use websites * On their own, with support * People increasingly having more control over their lives and need access * People can take time or be anonymous ! Many people locked out of sites and still excluded

Design... is often the key as to whether or not a site or app is accessible for people with learning disabilities.

“ People with learning disabilities won’t use my website? ”

Martin Martin using eBay http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBp6vvTq-u4

wonʼt use my website * Good at computers, knew the site * Nature of site means big, meaningful pictures * Search consistent * Layout * Enlarge icon and text reinforce each other ! Problems with buy it now

Martin on a new site Martin using Amazon http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TioegjQh5q8

wonʼt use my website ! Not enough good or meaningful icons ! Signposting and colour not relative to pictures ! Bad typography, poor contrast ! Buttons not defined = no access ! Some people not as able as Martin...

Screenshot of a web page from a site for people with learning disabilities about managing money

“ Making everything literal will add noise and annoy other users ”

Poster on the London Underground showing a man running down the escalators with two people standing higher up. Text underneath reads: Use the escalators safely. Walk do not run. Stand on the right. Hold the handrail.

being literal * Hierarchy of visual language * Group things: sometimes less is more * Icons plus words: less room for error * Hover and focus states help with interaction * Colour coding can be elegant and help with association or memory

Screenshot of culture page on Guardian website colour coded pink

“ Making things bigger will make my website ugly ”

making things bigger * Alternative ways to access content like text size or colour scheme can make or break a site * And may mean you don’t have to compromise design as much * Space around elements can give impressions that things are bigger

Screenshot of BBC homepage

Not my responsibility ! Equal responsibility between designers, developers, content producers and managers ! Cohesion, consistency ! Often design that renders a site inaccessible for someone with a learning disability

! Content is useless if people can’t access it ! Many people likely to think they are wrong if can’t access things ! If people don’t have access, they are not enabled or included ! Don’t lock people out

A wall in the London Underground, showing an old fashioned no exit sign with a new sign saying way out next to it. Copyright quadriman - http://www.flickr.com/photos/gstremer

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Accessibility beyond code

by Antonia Hyde

Accessibility

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