Web users & accessibility requirements

Hi in this Blog I’m going to address different user groups with disabilities & their accessibility requirements in regards to using websites & search engines.

 

Each type of disabilities can vary in level from partial to minor to complete that impact the user’s ability to use web pages, search engines.

 

To aid in web accessibility for all there are a few code/design requirements we can implement to help these people use the website 

 

For all groups whether with or without disabilities a website & search engines should use Simple wording & Understandable language.

 

Visual

Some of the visual conditions are: colour blindness, low vision, blindness.

Requirements: 

1.     Use proper HTML mark-up for the site this will aid in the use of a Screen reader or Braille output device as the person can set it to just read out headings until they find what they want (allowing them to skip data they did want to here)

2.     Alt Attributes these as a text alternative for the images there are 2 types:

Described images with this one the reader can tell the person what the image is of.

Utility descriptions with this one the reader can tell the person the meaning of the image.

3.     Text & Image Size by using a relative (percentage) for sizing instead of absolute set size, this will allow text & images to increase & decrease without losing details/data (for magnifying the screen)

4.     Colours - Colours should show contrast & not blend images & background colour

5.     Use an audio transcript for videos so the user can listen to the video.

 

Auditory

Some audio conditions are: hard of hearing, deafness, ear infection, swimmers ear these last 2 are not long term but will still affect them short term.

Requirements

Text Transcripts & subtitles should be made available of spoken audio clips and videos 

This will also benefit users who are not native speakers of the language used in the video (if you offer multiple language option)

 

Motor (physical)

Physical or “motor” disabilities are limited muscular control 

These include: involuntary tremors, lack of coordination, paralysis, nerve damage, RSI, & joint injuries including arthritis, pain that impedes movement, and missing limbs.

Requirements

1.     Use proper HTML mark-up & design layout to allow full keyboard support meaning that the browser should be able to move through the links by using the keyboard.

2.     Use client side imagemaps that need really precise mouse movements

 

Cognitive / neurological

These conditions impact how people process & understand information.

These conditions included learning difficulties, difficulty concentrating, memory issues, seizures & neurological, behavioural & mental health disorders

Requirements

1.     Simple navigation

2.     Display a sitemap (have a link to one allowing people to just click on desired page)

3.     Use proper headings & logical reading order

4.     Reduce the size of blocks of text

5.     Using consistent design elements.

 

Older Users

1.     Use a easily seen text size (remember to use percentage)

2.     Other then that most of the impairments older users suffer can be dealt with by meeting requirements of other groups eg. Vision, audio ect…

 

Speech 

Speech disabilities meaning that the user is unable to speak in a way or at a volume that is recognizable to computer programs, conditions include Muteness, Dysarthria, Stuttering, People not fluent in chosen language.

Requirements

1.     Don’t encode site elements to be only activated by voice 

2.     Offer multiple ways for users to contact site admin/business not only a phone number

 

Reference Websites

·       https://www.w3.org/WAI/people-use-web/abilities-barriers/

·       https://usability.yale.edu/web-accessibility/articles/types-disabilities

·       https://siteimprove.com/en-au/blog/cognitive-disabilities-and-web-accessibility/

·       https://www.w3.org/WAI/EO/Drafts/access-use/accessibility-n-usability.html

·       https://www.nngroup.com/articles/accessible-design-for-users-with-disabilities/

·       https://buyict4all.org/ict-accessibility-standard