100 points to know about...
Digital accessibility

How is Predictability achieved in design?

Predictability as a principle of accessible web design for users with SLDs respects the following:

Stick to the same fonts, font sizes and colour codes

• Use a small number of fonts and colours.
• Differentiate between fonts for titles, headings and body text.

Use design elements and functions that users recognise

• Apply icons/symbols from system settings and social media that users already know.
• All buttons should have the same design and function.
• Use the standard convention for links: blue (colour code: 0000FF) for pages not visited, and purple (colour code: 800080) for visited pages, and make links easily recognisable from text.

Place design elements where users expect to find them

• The search bar in the top right
• The Home icon in the top left
• A Contact link in the top navigation bar
• The Submit button at the bottom of a form

Image transcription:
Predictable and consistent design VS Confusing and inconsistent design

How is Readability achieved in design?

Readability as a principle of accessible web design for users with SLDs respects the following:

For text:

• Use a Sans Serif font (such as Arial, Verdana, Calibri, Open Sans).
• Text size should be at least 12pt.
• Line spacing between text should be 1.5.
• Text should always align to the left.
• Use bold to emphasise, instead of italics, underline or capital letters.

For language choices:

• Words should be easy to understand.
• Language should be literal, so avoid metaphors and slang.
• Explain abbreviations/unfamiliar words.

For sentences and paragraphs:

• Keep to 1 idea per paragraph.
• Express the main point of the paragraph in the first sentence.
• Avoid clauses in favour of short sentences.

For text organisation:

• Use bullet points to list items.
• Add images with text to give clues about the content.
• Where possible, provide an easy-to-read summary of the text.

Image transcription:
Good readbility VS Poor readbility

How is Organisation achieved in design?

Organisation as a principle of accessible web design for users with SLDs respects the following:

Design according to a visual hierarchy

• Key tasks and content should be higher up on the page.
• Supplementary info should be further down the page.
• Headings and titles should be properly 'nested'.
• Choose a horizontal menu as we read from left to right.

Simplify content and design

• Place similar items into categories to shorten lists (such as menus).
• Divide videos longer than 5 minutes into shorter sections.
• Add plenty of white space around content to avoid cluttered design.

Ease scrolling and clicking

• Provide multiple ways to find content (a menu, search bar, site map, and ‘related content’ links).
• Where relevant, add 'Skip to content' and 'Scroll to top' links to assist with fine motor skills difficulties.

Let users know their location and available options

• Use 'menu markers' (a plus sign '+' or a downwards-turned triangle '⛛' next to the menu options), so that users know that more options are hidden from view.
• Use design 'breadcrumbs' to let users know their location and how they got there. In the “Good Organisation” graphic below, the design 'breadcrumbs' appear as: Women > Dresses > Occasion Dresses. This informs users where they started browsing and where they are now.

Image transcription:
Good organisation VS Poor organisation