Erin Patrice Bennett’s Post

🌟 Web Design Wisdom Wednesday: Creating ADHD-Friendly Websites 🌟 As we navigate the complexities of the digital world, it's crucial to recognize that website design isn't just about aesthetics—it's about creating an accessible and engaging experience for all users, including those with ADHD. Here’s how tailoring your website design can significantly impact your business and audience: Simplicity is Key: Streamlined layouts and clear navigation paths can help reduce overwhelm and improve the user experience for visitors with ADHD. Consistent Structure: A predictable website structure aids in easier navigation, allowing users to find information quickly and efficiently. Engaging Yet Calm Visuals: Balanced use of colors and visuals can capture attention without causing sensory overload. Interactive Elements: Incorporate interactive features like quizzes or polls to keep users engaged and provide immediate feedback, catering to the dynamic needs of individuals with ADHD. Clear Calls-to-Action: Ensure that calls-to-action are straightforward and prominent to guide users towards the desired actions without confusion. By considering these design principles, we can create websites that are not only beautiful but also functional and inclusive, enhancing the experience for every visitor, especially those with ADHD. Let’s champion inclusive design to make the digital space welcoming and accessible for everyone! If you’re interested in making your website more ADHD-friendly, let’s connect and explore how we can make your digital presence shine for all users. #WebDesignWisdom #InclusiveDesign #ADHDAwareness #BusinessGrowth #LinkedInLearning

The effective use of color and graphics in children’s media is one of the most important aspects of design to ensure that you deliver optimal content and a memorable user experience to young users. Check out this below article to know more https://lnkd.in/e8-_zJG5 #uiresearch #uxdesign #uidesign #uidesigner #ui #uiuxdesigns #uiux #colorpalette #colors

Accessibility in design matters! Around 15-20% of the population in the UK is thought to be neurodivergent. However, many companies are still radically behind the times in regards to creating branding, design and digital experiences which are accessible to all. For instance: - Centralised paragraphs, inconsistent font sizes and sentence spacing is a nightmare for dyslexics. - Too much information delivered at a single time can cause information overload for those with ADHD. - Vibrant RGB colours can be a major problem for those on the autistic spectrum. - Not meta tagging imagery correctly can make it impossible for anyone using web improvement software to properly engage with a digital experience. and that's before we even get to the looming problems of an aging population in an ever digitising world. A world where colour usage, font sizing, composition, legibility and user experience will need to be thought about more than ever. Now, more than ever it's vital companies act immediately to ensure their branding, marketing and overall online presence is meeting required criteria, and standards. Otherwise they WILL be left behind by the 15-20% of consumers they've forgotten about, and replaced by brands who take the small step to actually make an effort. #accessability #neurodiversityawareness #branding #design

I can confirm as both designer and neurodivergent

CDC says 1 in 4 US adults live with a disability. Yet, 98% of websites aren’t fully accessible. 
Here are 6 tips on how to design for all:
 1. Increase color contrast 

 Why?
 Lower contrast makes it difficult for people with low vision to read.

 Solution:
 Make the contrast ration between text and background higher.
 2. Color isn’t enough

 Why? 
Colorblind individuals might not see the difference.

 Solution:
 Do not use color alone to differentiate assets, always add text along color.
 3. Increase text size
 Why? 
 Super small and funky fonts make the copy almost unreadable for those with sight impairment.

 Solution: 
 Do not go below 16px with font sizes, 14/12px only with all caps lettering.
 4. Add focus states 

Why? 
People who use their keyboard for navigation won’t be able to see the hover state.

 Solution:
 Implement the Focus state in your designs + let the client/devs know its importance.
 5. Adjust form labels

 Why?
 Some people use devices that read website copy to them. When there’s no label, they’re not gonna know what form fields are for.

 Solution:
 Add a text label *above* each field in your forms, not within the field.
 6. Add ALT text for images

 Why? 
 For those who can’t see very well, the machine will read the website to them. Images without an ALT text will be left unseen.

 Solution:
 This is part of the dev process, but as designers, we should take it upon ourselves to hand over the completed design with instructions for adding the alt text.
 ---------- We, designers, have a responsibility to educate our clients about making their digital products inclusive and accessible to all. Work with developers to make sure the design is implemented correctly. Let’s lead with empathy and do an even better job as designers. 🌷 ---------- PS. If you found this post useful – share it with your network. ♻ ️ Let's raise awareness! 
 #AccessibleDesign #InclusiveUX #DesignForAll #DesignerLife #DesignTips

💡 Have you ever stopped to think about why it's essential for a website to be accessible? You might be surprised to learn that approximately 25% of the population benefits from accessible web design. And remember, accessibility concerns aren't just permanent; they can be temporary too. Picture this: You've recently broken your arm, and your child eagerly wants to purchase a toy online. Imagine the challenges you might face navigating a website with just one hand. Situations like these highlight the importance of designing with accessibility in mind. It ensures everyone, regardless of their physical or cognitive abilities, has a smooth and inclusive online experience. 5 Tips to Boost Website/App Accessibility: ⭐1. Contrast is Key: Ensure text contrasts clearly against its background, making it legible for everyone, including those with visual impairments. ⭐2. Keyboard Navigability: Not everyone uses a mouse. Make sure your site can be navigated using just a keyboard. ⭐3. Descriptive Alt Text: Always include descriptive alt text for images. This aids screen readers in narrating the content to the visually impaired. ⭐4. Simple and Clear Language: Avoid jargon. Your content should be straightforward, ensuring those with cognitive disabilities can understand it. ⭐5. Feedback and Forms: Ensure form inputs provide clear feedback. For instance, if a user makes an error, they should know what went wrong and how to fix it. Making our digital world more accessible is everyone's responsibility. By ensuring our websites and apps are inclusive, we're not only catering to those with disabilities but enhancing the user experience for everyone. 💬 How are you making your content more accessible? Share your thoughts and experiences below! #Accessibility #WebDesign #Inclusivity #UserExperience

Color vision deficiency (CVD) affects around 1 in 12 men and 1 in 200 women worldwide; for every 100 users visiting your website or app, up to 8 people could suffer from CVD. Imagine submitting an online form and receiving an error message, “There was a problem with your submission. Please correct it.” You scroll down the page, but nothing indicates the cause of the problem. This is a scenario that users with color blindness experience every day since they cannot differentiate the fields highlighted in red. Arkajyoti Das offers useful guidelines for successful visual design that provides excellent color accessibility in the article, “5 ways to design for people who are colorblind” - https://lnkd.in/dMRhaRcN #UXLeaders #UXDesign #UXDesigners

𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐞𝐛𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐜𝐫𝐮𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥. 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐟𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐢𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬: 𝟭. 𝐔𝐬𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐀𝐥𝐭 𝐓𝐞𝐱𝐭 Always add descriptive alt text to images. This helps visually impaired users understand the content. Be specific and clear about what the image shows. 𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐄𝐱𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞, instead of "image of a dog," use "golden retriever playing in the park." 𝟮. 𝐊𝐞𝐲𝐛𝐨𝐚𝐫𝐝-𝐅𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐥𝐲 𝐍𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 Ensure your website can be fully navigated with a keyboard. Users should be able to access all interactive elements without a mouse. Test this by using the Tab key to move through links, buttons, and form fields. Make sure dropdown menus and modal dialogs are also accessible this way. 𝟯. 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐬: Use high contrast colors for text and background. This makes content easier to read for users with visual impairments. Tools like WebAIM's Contrast Checker can help you choose the right colors. Aim for a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 for normal text. 𝟰. 𝐀𝐝𝐝 𝐀𝐑𝐈𝐀 𝐋𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐬 Use ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) landmarks. These help screen readers understand the structure of your page. Common landmarks include nav for navigation and main for the main content area. Proper use of ARIA landmarks improves navigation for users with disabilities. 𝟱. 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐩𝐭𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐌𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐚 Always provide transcripts for audio and video content. This ensures users with hearing impairments can access the information. Transcripts also benefit users who prefer reading over listening. Include speaker identification and important sounds in the transcript. By implementing these techniques, you make your website more accessible to everyone. This not only helps users with disabilities but also improves the overall user experience. 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐞 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐰𝐞𝐥𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬.

Did you know that over a billion people worldwide live with some form of disability? Designing for accessibility isn't just about compliance; it's about inclusion.   Creating digital environments that everyone can navigate, understand, and enjoy is not just good design—it’s essential. Here are some practical tips for making your interfaces more accessible: 🌐 Contrast and Color: Use high contrast color combinations to make text and important elements stand out. Ensure that information conveyed with color is also accessible through other means. 🌐 Text Size and Spacing: Implement scalable text and adjustable spacing options to accommodate users with vision impairments. Larger clickable areas benefit users with motor difficulties as well. 🌐 Alt Text and Labels: Provide descriptive alt text for all images. Use clear, concise labels for form inputs and interactive elements. 🌐 Keyboard Navigation: Ensure your site can be navigated using a keyboard alone. This is crucial for users with motor disabilities who might not be able to use a mouse. 🌐 Aural Experience: Offer text transcripts for audio content and ensure videos include closed captioning. This not only helps those with hearing impairments but also benefits users in sound-sensitive environments. 🌐 Test with Real Users: Include people with disabilities in your testing phase. Their firsthand experience is invaluable in identifying usability issues that might not be obvious. 🚀 Are you ready to make your digital content accessible to all?   Start implementing these changes today and open your digital doors wider! Let's ensure no one is left behind in our digital world! 👉 Learn more about our UX Design services and how we can help make your website or app accessible to everyone. #Accessibility #InclusiveDesign #UXDesign #DigitalInclusion #WebDesign #AccessibleTechnology #UserExperience