Lesson 4Web accessibility for hearing impaired users
- Notion 22 - What are hearing impairments and who do they impact on the web?
- Notion 23 - Accessibility issues hearing impaired users can experience
- Notion 24 - Tools you can use to ensure your content is accessible for hearing impaired users
- Notion 25 - Design tips for ensuring content is accessible for hearing impaired users
- Notion 26 - Examples of design that is inaccessible for hearing impaired users
- Notion 27 - What makes these websites accessible for hearing impaired users?
- Notion 28 - Wrap up: What does hearing impairment mean?
Notion 23
Accessibility issues hearing impaired users can experience
Target skills
First of all, when we want to create or adapt websites in an accessible way to users with hearing impairments, it is fundamental to start with the content provided. Four of the common problem areas for deaf learners are:
- words with more than one meaning;
- technical language;
- specific terms;
- abbreviations and specific symbols.
Some d/Deaf users mainly use sign language. They need text instructions written in simpler terms or videos with subtitles and/or sign language translations. Formatting is another potential problem that can be solved by including features such as adjustable volume control. Finally, accessible design for d/Deaf users should include the use of explanatory images, among other steps.
Let's see a real-life example where web accessibility can be an issue: Nearly everyone uses Instagram nowadays. Most social media contains audio and other multimedia content that is not always accessible for d/Deafs. Can you imagine scrolling through Instagram and seeing videos that are completely un-understandable for you? A good practice is always adding subtitles or plain text to ensure d/Deafs can follow your videos.