Platform Accessibility

By: Lizbet Tirado

In today's world, where digital technology plays a fundamental role in the daily lives of millions of people, accessibility to digital platforms has become a crucial aspect of inclusion and equality. From communication to access to vital services, such as education and healthcare, online platforms are a large part of our daily lives.

Digital accessibility is so important because it ensures that people with disabilities can perceive, understand, navigate, and interact with the digital world. This includes access to websites, applications, documents, and other online content. When digital products and services are accessible, they benefit everyone by promoting inclusivity, equality, and the ability for all individuals to participate fully in society and the economy.

Digital accessibility refers to the practice of designing and developing digital technologies in a way that makes them usable by all people. It is key because it allows everyone to have the same opportunities and feel included in the online community. When web pages are accessible, people with disabilities can actively participate in digital life, find the information they need, connect with others, and contribute in various areas. When we talk about disabilities, we are referring to different levels of vision or hearing problems, difficulties with mobility due to motor issues, learning difficulties caused by cognitive problems, or similar issues. This is why digital accessibility is very important for improving the interaction of all users. Furthermore, from a business perspective, an improved experience translates into higher organic positioning, a stronger brand, and a greater conversion rate.

What could be the types of digital accessibility?

Sensory accessibilityThis type of accessibility makes it easier for people with vision and hearing impairments.
For example, if someone has vision problems, they might use special keyboards, enlarge the screen size, navigate by voice, or use screen readers. And if someone is colorblind or has other visual difficulties, they should be able to adjust things like contrast or saturation, or even change the web to black and white if they need to.

Physical accessibilityIn this case, we are talking about people with some kind of physical difficulty, either because they are missing a body part or because it doesn't work quite right.
For example, there are those who have problems moving, such as people with spinal cord injuries, or those who have difficulty using their hands. Thanks to technology, there are cool solutions available, like those devices that let you move the cursor with your head, or programs that let you dictate by voice instead of typing.

Cognitive accessibilityWhen we talk about cognitive accessibility, we are referring to the difficulty some people have in learning and communicating. People with Down syndrome, dyslexia, ADHD, or even older adults. All of them are users to whom we must pay attention.
We could make things simpler by using easy-to-understand and well-organized text. We could also emphasize important titles and links, and allow a bit more time to interact with the screen if needed.

With a clear understanding of where and how to implement accessibility, we can see How could that help users:

Making your webpage more accessible is a smart move for several reasons. First, you're opening doors to people with different types of disabilities, allowing them to navigate and use your site seamlessly. Additionally, by doing so, you're broadening your audience, reaching individuals who previously couldn't access your web.

This gives you an advantage over your competition, who may not yet be thinking about these users. Also, improving accessibility can boost your search engine rankings, as algorithms value sites that are more inclusive.

Let's not forget that brand image is reinforced by showing concern for user diversity. By creating an accessible webpage, you are building a simpler and easier-to-understand experience for everyone.

In the end, all of this contributes to increasing loyalty to your brand and consolidating your credibility in the market. Furthermore, by supporting social inclusion, you are strengthening your authority and your position as a responsible and conscious company.

In summary, as user experience designers, we have a crucial role in making digital platforms accessible to everyone. It's not just about meeting ethical standards, but also about understanding how it affects the company's image and the user experience. At the end of the day, integrating accessibility into our design not only helps us build a better reputation for the company, but also fulfills our responsibility to make digital life more friendly and accessible for everyone.

Through tools like usability testing and iterative design, at Gerundio we can make the user experience make your customers' experience more pleasant and inclusive.