Hello! Welcome back to my blog!
First, before we jump into talking about universally designed websites, let’s discuss the definition of universal design, so we can get a general understanding of what it means. Universal design is “The design of products and environments to be usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design.” For example, stairs are not a universal design because people who use crutches, wheelchairs, canes, etc. can’t climb them easily, if at all. On the other hand, a ramp is a universal design because everyone can use it. If a product or environment has a universal design, no one will be excluded from using it.
Website designers also want to give their websites a universal design to make it more user-friendly. Whether someone is designing a website, a building, or a product, they would be wise to use the principles of universal design as a guide. Although there are seven principles, I think four in particular should be applied to website design. If designers keep the following four principles in mind when creating their website, the majority of people should be able to better use and understand it.
- Equitable Use – the design is useful and marketable to people with diverse abilities.
- Everyone should be able to use the website equally; it should not be useful for only one group of people with a special set of skills. The design should be appealing for everyone, and provisions for safety, security, and privacy should be available to all users.
- Simple & Intuitive Use – use of the design is easy to understand, regardless of the user’s experience, knowledge, language skills, or concentration level.
- To make a website simple and intuitive for the users, designers should eliminate any unnecessary complexity. For instance, they should take away technical language or any slang terms that could cause confusion. Additionally, the website’s most important information should be located at the top of the page to make it easier for the user to find.
- Perceptible Information – the design communicates necessary information effectively to the user, regardless of ambient conditions or the user’s sensory abilities.
- To effectively communicate information to the user, a website can use pictures in addition to the their verbal messages; this makes the essential information more redundant. Fonts should be legible, and there should be a fair amount of contrast between the important information and its surroundings. Also, websites should have features for those with sensory disabilities. For example, a website could offer the option to read the information to users who are blind.
- Tolerance for Error – the design minimizes hazards and the adverse consequences of accidental or unintended actions.
- A website designer can try to prevent errors by making the user click several buttons before the task is complete. While this might be an inconvenience for the user, it helps to avoid unintended actions. For example, Amazon makes the user place an item in their cart, go through the payment process, and review their order before it is placed. I’m sure this method has helped prevent many accidental purchases. Some websites even have a button that allows the user to cancel the order within a few seconds of the purchase, just in case it was a mistake.
Websites should have a user-friendly, universal design that clearly conveys its information. Following the principles of universal design during the creation process helps make this goal a reality.
