100 points to know about...
Digital accessibility

To help you create a digital project that is SLD-friendly, let’s now focus on principles that lie at the heart of good web accessibility practices. These principles target the difficulties users with SLDs face online with reading, memory, problem-solving, time management, fine motor skills, attention, and others.

Keep the acronym PROUD in mind to remember the principles more easily!

Predictability

Users with SLDs can get confused with design choices that are unfamiliar and lack consistency. This confusion occurs because these users often need common design patterns to navigate the web successfully. Therefore, when designing for accessibility, it's best to keep things predictable! Predictable and consistent web design plays to the strong suits of these users (logical thinking) and downplays their weaknesses (memorisation).

When choosing design elements, ask yourself: Have I stayed consistent in my design choices?

Designing for Predictability means ensuring that your layout and design choices remain the same across all web pages. An example of this is placing design elements and content where users expect to find them. Failing to design for predictability may confuse users about where they are on the website, what they intend to do, and how a particular design element functions.

Readability

Some of the most common difficulties users with SLDs experience are those with reading and reading comprehension. Readability determines how easy it is for users to read and understand text online. Good readability has two components:

• how the text has been written (the language used, the explanations about the topic and the structure of the sentences)
• how the text is organised and presented to users (font, spacing, colours, supplementary images).

When writing text, ask yourself: Is my text written and presented in an understandable way for most users?

The readability of your content can be a deciding factor on whether users with SLDs stay on your web page or give up on reading the content altogether.

Organisation

Organisation relates to designing a layout that is well-structured and simple. No matter the content you wish to present to users, a complex and cluttered layout will make navigating your digital project challenging. It will also extend the time needed for completing even simple tasks. This can be especially frustrating for users with SLDs as many of them already struggle with problem-solving and time management.

When designing your layout, ask yourself: Is it easy for users to get around my website and find what they need?

Good organisation simplifies searching for content and provides support for users if they get lost. It also provides users with a visual blueprint of what they can expect from their online experience.

User-In-Mind

Designing for users with SLDs means creating design and content that is adaptable to their needs and, in certain instances, personalised. Doing so allows these users to modify the design and provides them with additional help and resources.

When considering SLD users’ experience on your website, ask yourself: How can users with SLDs get the most enjoyment from their online experience?

This principle requires content creators and designers to understand that their designs and content should, first and foremost, create a better online experience for a real person behind the screen. Their main aim should not be to satisfy an AI test subject or increase their SEO.

Distraction-Free

Many users with SLDs struggle with keeping their attention to the task at hand. As a result, they are more prone to distractions and hypersensitive to un-adapted content and design. You need to consider whether the content and design elements you’ve chosen are necessary for conveying your message.

When thinking about the purpose behind your design, ask yourself: Can my design and content choices distract users from the primary purpose of the webpage?

Often, design fads prioritise colourful and flashing content and multimedia. However, if this content is not used sparingly or correctly, these additions can do more harm than good.