People with visual impairments or colour blindness rely on high contrast to distinguish text and key elements. Low contrast between text and background can make content difficult to read.
✔ Best Practice:
- Ensure a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text.
- Use tools like WebAIM Contrast Checker to test readability.
- Avoid light grey text on white backgrounds—opt for darker colours to improve clarity.
2. Choose Colour Combinations Carefully
Around 1 in 12 men and 1 in 200 women have some form of colour blindness, making it essential to design with colour accessibility in mind.
✔ Best Practice:
- Avoid conveying meaning through colour alone—use labels, icons, or patterns to differentiate elements.
- Test colour schemes with tools like Coblis Colour Blindness Simulator.
- Stick to universally distinguishable colour palettes that work for various types of colour vision deficiency.
3. Use Legible, Scalable Typography
Readability is key in accessible design. Overly decorative fonts or cramped letter spacing can be difficult for users with dyslexia or low vision to read.
✔ Best Practice:
- Choose sans-serif fonts like Arial, Roboto, or Open Sans for better clarity.
- Ensure font sizes are at least 16px for body text.
- Allow users to resize text without breaking the layout.
4. Provide Text Alternatives for Visual Content
Not everyone can perceive images, infographics, or charts. Screen readers rely on alt text to describe images to visually impaired users.
✔ Best Practice:
- Add concise, descriptive alt text to all images.
- Avoid phrases like “image of”—instead, describe the key message of the image.
- Use long descriptions for complex charts and infographics.
5. Ensure Keyboard Navigation Compatibility
Many users rely on keyboards or assistive technologies instead of a mouse to navigate digital content. If your design isn’t keyboard-friendly, you risk excluding a large portion of users.
✔ Best Practice:
- Ensure all interactive elements (buttons, links, forms) can be accessed using the Tab key.
- Use clear focus indicators to show which element is selected.
- Avoid hover-only interactions—provide alternative ways to access content.
6. Use Clear and Consistent Layouts
A cluttered or inconsistent design can be overwhelming, especially for users with cognitive disabilities or attention disorders.
✔ Best Practice:
- Maintain a clear visual hierarchy with distinct headings and sections.
- Keep layouts consistent across pages.
- Avoid excessive animations or flashing content, which can trigger seizures or distract neurodivergent users.
7. Offer Multiple Ways to Access Content
Users engage with content in different ways. Providing alternative formats improves accessibility.
✔ Best Practice:
- Offer transcripts for videos and audio content.
- Provide captions and subtitles for videos.
- Use simple, easy-to-understand language to improve comprehension.
Why Accessibility Matters
Designing for accessibility isn’t just about compliance—it’s about inclusivity. When graphics are clear, easy to navigate, and usable for all, they create a better experience for everyone. Accessible design also benefits businesses by improving engagement, reducing bounce rates, and ensuring wider audience reach.
By implementing these best practices, your brand can lead the way in inclusive design.
Need help making your visuals more accessible? Montpellier Creative specialises in user-focused design solutions. Get in touch to learn more about how we can make your brand’s visuals more inclusive.
