{"id":596,"date":"2017-09-21T07:05:34","date_gmt":"2017-09-21T07:05:34","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.softgridcomputers.com\/?p=596"},"modified":"2020-10-25T12:30:38","modified_gmt":"2020-10-25T12:30:38","slug":"reasons-why-usability-and-accessibility-are-important-in-designing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.softgridcomputers.com\/blog\/reasons-why-usability-and-accessibility-are-important-in-designing\/","title":{"rendered":"Reasons why usability and accessibility are important in designing"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

There is a great deal of importance that is now being given to usability and accessibility<\/strong> in design. When we look at these terms, we usually look at them in relation to inclusion in design and it is their goals and approaches to design that tend to overlap quite significantly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Design <\/b>is all about imagining, imagining what you perceive and then eventually laying it out in the form of a picture that people will enjoy looking at.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is important to outline the importance of usability and accessibility<\/strong> in UX design as well as the fine line that divides the boundary between them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Accessibility V\/S Usability<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n

These are terms that are synonymous with each other, as a usable website <\/strong>which is not accessible does not make sense and vice versa. If you would look at the deeper meaning behind these concepts, you will understand that although they are synonymous, they also have distinct meanings. If users are not able to access your website or application, then can you really call it usable?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Accessibility essentially means that you have equipped your users with certain abilities that allow them to effectively use<\/strong> your interface. The sole purpose of making an accessible website or application is to ensure that the barriers to understanding and navigating through your interface are removed, thereby creating a more inclusive interface<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When designers <\/b>are looking at making their websites accessible, they are looking at 2 main categories of the audience- people<\/strong> who possess degrees of technical abilities and people who possess degrees of physical abilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


Understanding technical abilities<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you are looking at technical abilities<\/strong> of people, it is not possible to paint everyone with the same brush, this essentially means that you need to understand what device your audience is using, where & how they are accessing your content and how technically savvy<\/strong><\/a> they are. There might be some people who are relatively new to the smart-phone era and might not possess the same skills as some of your audience. It is important to factor this population into your overall strategy<\/strong> and anticipate the kind of complaints you could be receiving.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Understanding physical abilities<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sometimes designers have to go beyond just technical abilities and consider a section of their audience who might be physically incapable. For example- users with disabilities including visual, auditory, neurological disabilities and others. When you anticipate a situation such as this, it is important to ask yourself questions like:<\/p>\n\n\n\n