What Accessible and Inclusive UI/UX Design Means For Us

UI/UX design is an essential aspect of both web and app design. When it comes to the user, a great UI/UX design can enhance the user's experience and improve engagement, while a poor design can lead to frustration and disengagement, and we, at Ascentspark Software, take our designs very seriously to make them user-friendly, accessible, and inclusive.

But first, let’s understand their importance in both Web design and App design before delving further into other aspects of UI/UX design.

Importance of UI/UX in Web Design

In web design, UI/UX design involves creating a visual and interactive experience for users as they navigate web pages. 

• Designing the layout and structure of the page to facilitate easy navigation and access to information

• Creating a visually appealing design that is consistent with the brand's aesthetic

• Designing user interfaces and interactions that are intuitive and easy to use

• Ensuring the website is optimized for different devices and screen sizes

• Designing forms and input fields that are easy to understand and use

A good UI/UX design in web design can improve user engagement, reduce bounce rates, and increase conversions.

However, with ongoing tech advancements and users moving to small screen mobile and tablet devices, the importance of a good UI/UX interface to enhance user experience while using different apps in these devices increases as well.

Importance of UI/UX in App Design

App design requires similar considerations to web design, but with a focus on designing for smaller screens and touch interfaces. 

• Designing the layout and structure of the app to accommodate user gestures and interactions

• Creating a visually appealing design that is consistent with the brand's aesthetic

• Designing user interfaces and interactions that are intuitive and easy to use with one hand

• Ensuring the app is optimized for different devices and screen sizes

• Designing forms and input fields that are easy to understand and use with a touch interface

A proper UI/UX design in app design can improve user engagement, reduce churn rates, and increase revenue.

However, there are some use cases that are not so easy when it comes to UI/UX designs.

UI/UX designs should also change with changing requirements and to fit the needs of people with different abilities or in different situations.

There are two primary ways to approach design that can solve problems related to designing for not only regular users, but differently abled users too - Accessible Designs and Inclusive Designs.

Accessible design and Inclusive design are both important considerations when it comes to UI/UX, but they have different focuses.

Accessible Design Focus Areas

Accessible design refers to the practice of designing digital products and interfaces that can be used by people with disabilities. 

This includes considerations such as:

• Providing alternative text for images for users who are blind or have low vision

• Using color contrast to make text and images easier to read for users with visual impairments

• Ensuring that keyboard-only navigation is possible for users who are unable to use a mouse

• Providing closed captions or transcripts for video content for users who are deaf or hard of hearing

The goal of accessible design is to make digital products and interfaces usable to the greatest extent possible by people with disabilities.

Inclusive Design Focus Areas

Inclusive design, on the other hand, is the practice of designing digital products and interfaces that can be used by as many people as possible, regardless of their abilities, backgrounds, or circumstances. 

By moving away from the preconceived notions about “typical” users, an inclusive design process allows designers to create digital products that are user-friendly to the widest range of people.

This includes reflection on: 

• Designing for a range of devices and screen sizes to accommodate users with different technology access

• Providing multiple ways to navigate and interact with content, to accommodate users with different preferences and different special abilities

• Creating content that is culturally sensitive and avoids stereotypes or bias to be more inclusive of diverse user groups

The primary purpose of inclusive design is to create digital products and interfaces that are usable and appealing to as many people as possible; without excluding or discriminating against any particular group.

Technical Compliances to Keep in Mind

There are some technical industry compliances that need to be followed while creating both accessible and inclusive interfaces.

• Conducting accessibility and inclusivity audit
• Engaging with accessibility and inclusivity experts
• Training developers with industry best practices
• Regularly evaluating and updating the designs as per changing user needs
• Conducting automated and manual testing
• Conducting regular user experience and friendliness testing
• Staying in compliance with accessibility standards and guidelines, such as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) or the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

Why is accessible and inclusive design important?

Both accessible design and inclusive design are important aspects for UI/UX designers. By incorporating both approaches into their design process, our designers create digital products and interfaces that are usable and appealing to the widest possible range of users, regardless of their abilities, backgrounds, or circumstances.