Content Design for Accessibility: Why It Matters and How To Do It

Creating accessible content is essential for providing a positive digital experience for all users. As someone who has experience in web development and creative technology, I’ve found that my technical background helps me design content that is accessible to everyone.

By making sure that everyone can interact with the content in their own way, we can create a more inclusive and connected experience. That’s why accessibility matters in content design. It means providing equal access to information for all audiences, no matter their physical or cognitive abilities.

This helps to ensure that everyone can engage with the content and be a part of the digital community.

Why Accessibility Matters in Content Design

Accessibility means providing equal access to information for all audiences, from various backgrounds and walks of life, with special consideration for people with different requirements, no matter their physical and cognitive abilities. Designing for accessibility ensures that all users can access and interact with the content in a way that works for them.

This is particularly important when it comes to digital content, such as websites, mobile apps, and social media. Inaccessible content can create barriers that prevent people with disabilities from accessing information, participating in online communities, and engaging with digital products and services.

In addition to the ethical imperative to make content accessible to all users, there are also legal requirements to consider. In many countries, including the United States, the UK and Australia, there are laws that mandate accessibility for digital content and services.

So if you’re designing content for a digital interface, it’s crucial to consult the necessary guidelines and practices to make sure your content meets those standards.

Remember, designing for accessibility not only benefits those with disabilities but also helps create a more inclusive and engaging user experience for everyone.

How To Design Accessible Content

Here are some tips to help you get started on designing content that is accessible for all users:

1. Use clear and concise language: Writing in plain language, avoiding complex or jargon words, and using simple sentence structures can make your content easier to understand for all users, especially those with different cognitive abilities.
2. Use descriptive headings: Use descriptive headings that accurately describe the content that follows. This is especially important for screen reader users. Headings allow readers to browse content by topical groups, and provide context for users working through lengthy content. Users are much more likely to discover topics of interest if they are marked with a heading. This helps users with visual impairments to navigate your content more easily using assistive technologies like screen readers.
3. Provide alternative text for images: Alt text is a short description of an image that is read by screen readers for users who cannot see the image. This is important as the alt text serves as a substitute for the image and provides visually impaired users with any necessary information to understand the content of the image, meeting the needs of all users. Make sure to use descriptive alt text that conveys the meaning of the image.
4. Use sufficient colour contrast: Make sure that text and other visual elements have sufficient contrast with the background colour. This helps users with visual impairments to read your content more easily.
5. Provide captions and transcripts for videos: Captions and transcripts make videos accessible to users who are deaf or hard of hearing. They also make it easier for all users to follow along with the content.
6. Avoid using flashing or moving content: Flashing or moving content can trigger seizures in users with photosensitive epilepsy. Avoid using this type of content unless it is necessary for the functionality of your product.
7. Lastly, depending on the digital interface you are developing and working on, having a guiding checklist of items to ensure consistency of updates, and changes ensures we don’t miss the little things. This can include:

• Consulting Accessibility Guidelines
• Referring to Accessibility Standards: e.g. (WCAG) 2.0

Designing content for accessibility not only allows various users to enjoy their digital experience but also plays a significant impact on businesses.

By creating content that is accessible to all users, you can reach a wider audience and create a more inclusive and engaging user experience.

So, next time you’re designing content, it is crucial to prioritise accessibility from the start to ensure a more connected, inclusive, and enhanced user experience.