Principles
There are a few principles that will help us create a more inclusive digital environment with our designs. Here we will cover both WCAG principles and Gestalt Principles.
WCAG Principles
The Web Content Accessability Guideline Principles are organized into four main groups which are often refered to as POUR.
Percievable
Information and user interface components are presentable to users in ways they can perceive.
Solutions
- Text Alternatives
- Provide text alternatives for any non-text content so that it can be changed into other forms people need, such as large print, braille, speech, symbols or simpler language.
- Time-Based Media
- Provide alternatives for time-based media.
- Adaptive
- Create content that can be presented in different ways (for example simpler layout) without losing information or structure.
- Distinguishable
- Make it easier for users to see and hear content including separating foreground from background.
Operable
User interface components and navigation are operable.
Solutions
- Keyboard Accessible
- Make all functionality available from a keyboard.
- Keyboard accessibility is one of the most important principles of Web accessibility because it cuts across disability types and technologies.
- Enough Time
- Provide users enough time to read and use content.
- Seizures
- Do not design content in a way that is known to cause seizures.
- Navigable
- Provide way to help users navigate, find content, and determine where they are.
Understandable
Information and the operation of the user interface must be understandable to users.
Solutions
- Readable
- Make text content readable and understandable.
- Predictable
- Make Web pages appear and operate in predictable ways.
- Input Assistance
- Help users avoid and correct mistakes.
Robust
Content is robust enough to be interpreted reliably by a wide variety of user agents, including assistive technologies and different web browsers.
Solutions
- Maximize compatibility with current and future user agents, including assistive technologies.
Gestalt Principles
These principles are applied to create designs that are not only visually appealing but also usable and accessible to all individuals. While the primary focus of accessibility design is to ensure that digital content is perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust, Gestalt principles can be utilized to enhance the user experience for individuals with disabilities.
Here are some of the Gestalt Principles:
#1 Similarity
The Similarity principle groups together elements with similar attributes like color, shape, size, and font. For instance, aligning yellow word boxes creates visual balance. However, using varied fonts and colors inconsistently can cause confusion and disrupt visual harmony.
#2 Proximity
Proximity is about spacing elements appropriately for visual harmony. If boxes are too close, they create a cluttered feel. Additionally, irregular spacing between words and lines, along with odd-colored backgrounds, disrupts readability.
#3 Closure
Closure occurs when your mind fills in missing information to interpret an object. It aids in completing patterns and recognizing familiar shapes.
#4 Connectedness/
Good Figure
Objects grouped together tend to be perceived as a single figure.
#5 Continuation
When there is an intersection between two of more objects, people tend to percieve each object as a single uninterrupted object.
#8 Common Regions
The idea that things inside a box or boundary are seen as belonging together. It helps organize information by grouping elements within the same area, making it easier for users to understand connections between them.