Mistakes in Universal Web Design

With today’s snazzy and competitive “Web 2.0” and social media world, universal design is many times forgotten. It’s bewildering as to why since there are many social, technical, financial, and legal reasons which support universal design practices. Let’s discuss some of the more prevalent issues in websites today, and how they relate to the main universal design principles.

The Principles

First, let’s review the seven universal design principles including some web-​​related examples. Keep in mind that these principles are applied, of course, to many industries outside of computer and web, such as civil engineering (buildings, walkways), entertainment (movie theaters, theme parks), and transportation (buses, trains).

1. Equitable use: useful and marketable to people with diverse abilities.
   Example: A local government’s website is designed so that it is accessible to those who are using assistive technology such as a screen reader.
2. Flexibility in use: accommodates a wide range of individual preferences and abilities.
   Example: Design of an airline website maintains visual aesthetics in various computer display sizes.
3. Simple and intuitive: easy to understand, regardless of the user’s experience, knowledge, language skills, or current concentration level.
   Example: Primary controls of a web application are labeled with both text and symbols.
4. Perceptible information: communicates necessary information effectively to the user, regardless of ambient conditions or the user’s sensory abilities.
   Example: An instructional video with captions provides the option to read the dialogue in addition to listening.
5. Tolerance for error: minimizes hazards and the adverse consequences of accidental or unintended actions.
   Example: A technical error when submitting a form provides a clear explanation and options for how to continue.
6. Low physical effort: can be used efficiently and comfortably, and with a minimum of fatigue.
   Example: Website design has sufficient color contrast and text size which minimizes eye strain.
7. Size and space for approach and use: Appropriate size and space is provided for approach, reach, manipulation, and use regardless of the user’s body size, posture, or mobility.
   Example: A website is designed so that a physically impaired user who cannot use a mouse can still access all the content with a keyboard (or onscreen keyboard!).

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