Accessible Designs Beyond Compliance to Improve User Experience
We all want to be in an environment with things that are accessible to everyone without exception. And the same goes for designs! We need those designs that fit everyone. So, what does accessibility mean in this context? Well, it’s about creating environments and experiences that are genuinely inclusive and ensure that everyone can engage with content and navigate spaces effortlessly.
Note that it must be done not just to meet legal requirements. We should go beyond minimum legal standards and do our best to serve a broader range of needs. In fact, this is precisely how appreciation and respect for various experiences can be exhibited.
Before we dig deeper into the issues of accessibility, let’s focus on another important aspect that might be interesting to students.
What Accessibility Means
As we defined accessibility above, it refers to creating spaces, products, and content that are usable by everyone. The term ‘everyone’ encompasses individuals with disabilities as well. For instance, in digital environments, accessibility refers to websites and apps being compatible with screen readers or having sufficient text contrast for individuals with visual impairments.
Sadly, these things are often missed when creating designs. And what about other aspects? Here, common examples might include different considerations. For instance, this may pertain to the presence of wheelchair ramps, the availability of restrooms for the handicapped, and the existence of visible indicators. In general, accessibility aligns with the principle of universal design. It aims to create things that are intuitive and can be used by all, no matter what their needs and preferences are.
Ideas in this regard can be derived from numerous things big brands do. Let’s talk about Apple iOS. The brand is known for offering accessibility features on its most popular product – the iPhone and others including iPads and Macs. To gain a clearer understanding of this, think about Point and Speak.
The company educates people on how to use Point and Speak on iPhone and iPad so that everyone can use the devices equally well. This outstanding feature simplifies the process of reading text through a camera and AI is a boon for people with visual impairments. They simply need to point the iPhone or iPad towards the text and with AI capabilities, the phone reads it aloud.
Why Accessibility Matters
Previously, accessibility was primarily seen as a legal obligation. However, this perspective needs to shift. Accessibility now goes far beyond just meeting legal standards. We need to see accessibility as encompassing both ethical and business aspects in order to recognize and appreciate diversity.
Moreover, accessibility offers huge advantages from a business standpoint. Let’s make it more clear: by paying special attention to this aspect, you can expand your market and build a positive brand reputation. Besides, customer loyalty and satisfaction may grow too. Your customers will feel respected and it’ll grant them a sense of belonging.
Legal Requirements vs. Good Practice
If you want to demonstrate a commitment to understanding and addressing users’ diverse needs, you should exceed minimum standards. Although meeting legal requirements is a starting point for accessibility, they don’t always account for the nuances of individual needs and preferences. If you always strive for more, you really value the experiences of all individuals, not just those who fall within the average or typical range.
The Role of Tools in Inclusive Design
When it comes to building accessible websites, choosing the right tools can make all the difference. Of course, it may sound a bit cliche but experts say that up-to-date solutions can significantly improve your working experience, so why not use them?
In particular, you can turn to Webflow, which is a very powerful design tool and website builder. If you start exploring its functionality, you’ll see that it offers a number of features that support the creation of inclusive and accessible websites. Its range of features will surprise you more than you can imagine.
Using this instrument allows you to create websites with high adaptability. It becomes so easy to ensure that elements like navigation, text, and media are optimized for users with different needs. Remember, we are talking not just about a visual appeal but also a chance for everybody to benefit from your solutions. So, choose your tools wisely and get all the possible benefits offered by them.
Conclusion
It is extremely important to foster an atmosphere where everyone feels respected and engaged as it corresponds to the contemporary tenets of management. If you want your business to strive, make sure you can adjust it to all people. Otherwise, you won’t achieve great success. Why risk your effort? Go beyond mere legal requirements and create things that matter!