Usability and Accessibility: True Equality in the Infoverse

Keyboard with the enter button replaced with the word accessibility and a handicap icon
The Internet allows those with different abilities to access information in their own way. Are you contributing to opening that access up? (Source: Pexels Stock Images)
 Usability and accessibility are a human right. This is especially true of the World Wide Web, where anyone and everyone should be able to access and contribute to the infoverse. No corner of the internet and its trove of information should be inaccessible. While adaption tools can accommodate sites or content not created with accessibility in mind, it would be most beneficial and downright revolutionary to have more creators lead their process with accessibility as the priority. 


An example that comes to mind is the student publication at my workplace recently reformatting the printing layout to improve readability. Using larger, more widely spaced fonts along with easy-to-follow layouts helped simplify the visual impression of the pages, easing the reading experience. This meant compromises were made for the paper’s overall appearance. There were fewer spaces to add images and reduced page jumps for streamlined reading, meaning shorter articles. Does this sacrifice the point of the publication? No, in fact, the point is to have it in more hands. With such usability accommodations made by the paper, more eyes are attracted to the content. Then, more readers can digest and respond to the content with accessibility prioritized. 


As someone with dyslexia and an attention deficit, I enjoy digital writing most when it is clear and easy to read. Posts that get to the point swiftly and efficiently help me process the finer details surrounding and supporting the main point. Bulleted lists and smaller subparagraphs show me visually the central points and conclusions. Shorter paragraphs that break up the content assist with making the thesis understandable. 



TikTok user Madison Tevlin's viral video on Autism awareness and how their world is limited.


This personal preference is supported by attention mapping of users, who tend to focus on headlines and photos before possibly reaching the details of web content. Years ago now, users started using the acronym TLDR for the “too-long-didn’t-read” simplification of longer-form content, even in video or audio format. Readers do not come to the internet - or more specifically my blog - to read. Rather users come to the internet for information, fast, efficient, and clear data and facts to answer questions or connect. Similarly contrary to logic, white space on a blog can be beneficial visual breaks that draw attention even closer. 


As an unsponsored, non-commercial blog, my posts are not lost in advertisements or other annoying visual clutter. Instead, the simple F-shape pattern focuses on the words written. I have searched for interactive and unique images that tie in extra but still relevant information for my posts to liven up the visuals. Within these images, I incorporate as many links hyperlinked within content to intrigue readers further. To create truer accessibility, I wrote alt texts for each image, as well. These practices increase my blog’s usability along with satisfaction, learnability, and memorability. 


In the age of blue light-blocking glasses and screen-detoxes, what keeps your eyes engaged on the screen? What accessibility adaptions make that content easier to read longer?


#accesibility #usability #netizen #socialmedia #tiktok #autismawareness #phonedetox #socialmediadetox #disabilityawareness 

References:


Donegan, R., (2022). The Rhetorical Possibilities of Accesibility. In Driscoll, D.L., Heise, M., Stewart, M.K., & Vetter, M. (Eds.), Writing spaces: Reading on writing. (pp 217-233). Parlor Press. https://canvas.odu.edu/courses/149053/files/35175200?warp=1.


Kollin, Z. (2010, May 30). Myth #1: People read on the web. UX Myths. https://uxmyths.com/post/647473628/myth-people-read-on-the-web 


Lawton-Henry, S., Abou-Zahra, S., & White, K. (Eds.). (2010, March). Accessibility, usability, and inclusion. Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI). https://www.w3.org/WAI/fundamentals/accessibility-usability-inclusion/ 


Tucker, V., (2024). Usability Research. [Powerpoint Presentation]. https://canvas.odu.edu/courses/149053/files/35175207?module_item_id=6370099.


White, K., Abou-Zahra, S., & Lawton Henry, S. (Eds.). (2015, September 1). Writing for web accessibility – tips for getting started. Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI). https://www.w3.org/WAI/tips/writing/ 




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