Accessibility is the word used to describe whether a product (for example, a website, mobile site, digital TV interface or
application) can be used by people of all abilities and disabilities – this is called usability.
On a website, accessibility depends on how a person’s disability affects the way they perceive information on a page and how they navigate within and between pages. Elements that affect accessibility include:
- For people who can’t see very well: the colours and the contrast between colours; the size of text; the choice of fonts.
- For people who are blind: how a screen reader interprets the elements on a page (for example, alt tags for images, and title tags for links); the inclusion of audio description for video content.
- For people who can’t hear very well: how any audio content is represented graphically (for example, including subtitles or signing on video content).
- For people who find a keyboard or mouse hard to use: the ease with which someone can navigate to parts of the page (for instance, by tabbing); auto-completion of forms.
- For people who find words difficult: the length of sentences and paragraphs; the complexity of the vocabulary; the choice of fonts and size of text; the availability of spelling checkers and word prediction; the opportunity to have text read out loud.
Visit the BBC My web my way website for everything you need to make websites and your computer easier to use. Also on our own More Than Mobility website you can adjust the text size to help with reading.
At More Than mobility we have some useful mobility products that are designed to help the visually impaired. Below are a couple of the products that will help you to read what’s on screen.
Illuminated Magnifying Glass – Great for when you’re getting a little older and finding it hard to read. Available in 2 sizes (Small
and Large); these illuminated magnifiers have a small bulb that lights the area. Price £3.99
We all know how frustrating it can be trying to read in low light and studies have shown that reading in poor light can cause eyestrain and effect your concentration. These specifically designed high vision reading lights that use near daylight bulbs allow you to read and concentrate for longer, helping to relieve eyestrain and headaches. Price: £32.99
Best Wishes
More Than Mobility Team
