Accessibility Principles & Best Practices
Overview
Understanding Accessibility
Accessibility is not about disability; it’s actually about ability. It’s about making it easy for everyone.- Acquire the same information
- Engage in the same interactions
- Enjoy the same services
In an equally effective and equally integrated manner, with substantially equivalent ease of use.
Principles for Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
- Perceivable: so that individuals with visual impairments can understand the information being conveyed
- Operable: navigate to information in multiple methods (not only the mouse)
- Understandable: understandable enough so that all different learning styles can engage
- Robust: IT products should be compatible with a user’s desired technologies or system preferences
Accessibility ensures everyone can perceive, understand, engage, navigate, and interact with technology regardless of device, software, or product without barriers.
Universal Design Principles
The design is useful and marketable to people with diverse abilities. For example, a website that is designed to be accessible to everyone, including people who are blind and use screen reader technology, employs this principle.
The design accommodates a wide range of individual preferences and abilities. An example is a museum that allows visitors to choose to read or listen to the description of the contents of a display case.
Use of the design is easy to understand, regardless of the user's experience, knowledge, language skills, or current
concentration level. Science lab equipment with clear and intuitive control buttons is an example of an application of this principle.
concentration level. Science lab equipment with clear and intuitive control buttons is an example of an application of this principle.
The design communicates necessary information effectively to the user, regardless of ambient conditions or the
user's sensory abilities. An example of this principle is captioned television programming projected in a noisy sports bar.
user's sensory abilities. An example of this principle is captioned television programming projected in a noisy sports bar.
The design minimizes hazards and the adverse consequences of accidental or unintended actions. An example of a
product applying this principle is software applications that provide guidance when the user makes an inappropriate selection.
product applying this principle is software applications that provide guidance when the user makes an inappropriate selection.
The design can be used efficiently, comfortably, and with a minimum of fatigue. Doors that open automatically for people with a wide variety of physical characteristics demonstrate the application of this principle.
Appropriate size and space is provided for approach, reach, manipulation, and use regardless of the user's body size, posture, or mobility. A flexible work area designed for use by employees who are left- or right-handed and have a variety of other physical characteristics and abilities is an example of applying this principle.
Best Practices for Accessibility
How to Evaluate Accessibility Based on Four Principles
- Font: Is the font styling easy to read?
- Color: Is the font color easy to read?
- Tab: Can a user "tab" through the functions?
- Enlarge: Can a user make the font bigger? (ctrl +)