From warnings on medicine bottles to ingredient lists on foods — small text is difficult for almost everyone to read, regardless of age. For people with limited vision, however, surfing the Internet becomes a particularly frustrating challenge. Even though these people are not legally blind, they often have difficulty using computers, tablets, and smartphones.
However, it doesn't have to stay that way. With the right best practices and assistive technologies, you can make your website more accessible to all users. In this post, you'll find proven tips to improve accessibility for people with reduced vision.
Types of vision problems
Central vision loss
This form of vision loss affects the ability to read, write, or recognize fine details precisely. Face recognition is also affected. However, people with this condition are able to perceive space and movement and are able to move without assistance.
Peripheral vision loss
Peripheral vision loss narrows the field of vision (tunnel vision) so that people only see what is directly around their visual focus point. As a result, although they can sometimes read small letters, they easily collide with objects in their environment. Peripheral vision loss makes it difficult to orient oneself independently because the perception of moving objects is limited.
Blurred vision
Blurred vision is similar to looking through milky glass, where objects appear blurred and it is difficult to see contrasts, depth, and distances. This condition can also make bright light unpleasant and make it difficult to see details.
Visual disturbances following brain injuries
These disorders involve various effects on visual perception, often as a result of trauma or brain damage. Although these disorders do not directly affect the functionality of vision, they can affect the brain's ability to process visual information.
Accessibility tips for people with reduced vision
1. Zoom functionality
Text is particularly problematic for people with impaired vision because the fonts on websites are often too small. With a zoom function that enlarges the screen content, words and images are easier to recognize.
2. Responsive design
Responsive design ensures that websites are easily scalable on mobile devices and different screen sizes. If your site is fully scalable, users can easily read it even at maximum magnification (at least 200%) without horizontal scrolling.
3. Go beyond color
Don't just rely on colors to communicate important information, such as alerts, text links, or buttons. Also use other visual cues, such as icons, text, or underlines, to make content accessible to colorblind users.
4. Keyboard navigation
People with impaired vision often use the keyboard instead of the mouse to interact with websites. Make sure that your website is fully navigable with the keyboard.
5. Optimized contrast
Users with impaired vision need special contrast ratios so that the text is easy to read:
Standard text should have a ratio of 4. 5:1 between text and background.
Larger text requires a ratio of 3:1 for WCAG AA compliance and 7:1 for WCAG AAA compliance.
The combination of black text on a white background offers the best ratio of 21:1.
Use a contrast checker to make sure your website meets these requirements.
6. Alt text for images
People with visual disabilities often use screen readers to navigate websites. Alt text provides a text description for images and allows users to understand the content of your site.
7. Descriptive page titles
Screen readers read out page titles for users with impaired vision. The more detailed the page title, the easier it is for users to understand the content without having to search the entire page.
Frequently asked questions
How do I test my website for vision issues?
Recruit people with visional disabilities to test your website's user experience (UX). There's no better way to find out where your site is doing well in terms of accessibility and where improvements still need to be made. An accessibility check is also recommended.
Do websites have to be accessible to people with vision problems?
Yes, the Accessibility Strengthening Act requires companies to make their websites accessible to people with disabilities. It is also advisable to use the WCAG guidelines to comply with digital accessibility to meet legal requirements.
Which browser is best for people with limited vision?
WebBie is a popular browser for people with vision problems. It offers a text-based, accessible user interface that works seamlessly with screen readers.
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