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  • National Disability Authority
  1. Home
  2. Communications & Digital
  3. Web and Mobile Accessibility
  4. Web Accessibility Techniques
  5. Design accessible digital content - introduction and index
  6. Use accessible design to communicate information

Use accessible design to communicate information

Simple advice – use principles of good design to create clear, consistent, readable pages. Remember, accessibility does not have to stunt your creativity – considering accessibility needs might actually enhance the aesthetic. Ideally you should not be able to spot an accessible site from how looks - gone are the days where accessible equates to boring.

Do not be afraid to exercise your creative abilities but refer to this guidance to ensure you avoid excluding (or possibly damaging!) anyone.

Web Accessibility Techniques

  • Design accessible digital content - introduction and index

    • Provide a consistent and flexible design
    • Design accessible navigation
    • Use accessible design to communicate information

      • Design to help users scan for key information
      • Enhance clarity with good design
      • Design and implement accessible tables and graphs
    • Ensure images, video and audio are accessible to everyone
    • Design accessible interactions and feedback
    • Always test your designs with users who have access needs
  • Content Provider's Introduction and Index
  • Developer's Introduction and Index

In this section

  • Design to help users scan for key information
  • Enhance clarity with good design
  • Design that conveys information
  • Design and implement accessible tables and graphs

References for this section

WCAG 2.1

  • 1.1.1 Non-text Content (A)
  • 1.3.1 Info and Relationships (A)
  • 1.3.3 Sensory Characteristics (A)
  • 1.4.1 Use of Colour (A)
  • 1.4.3 Contrast (Minimum) (AA)
  • 1.4.4 Resize text (AA)
  • 1.4.5 Images of Text (AA)
  • 1.4.12  Text Spacing (AA)
  • 3.1.4 Abbreviations (AAA)

EN 301 549 v 2.1.2

  • 9.1.1.1 Non-text Content
  • 9.1.3.1 Info and Relationships
  • 9.1.3.3 Sensory Characteristics
  • 9.1.4.1 Use of Colour
  • 9.1.4.3 Contrast (Minimum)
  • 9.1.4.4 Resize text
  • 9.1.4.5 Images of Text
  • 9.1.4.12  Text Spacing

Videos

  • W3C Perspectives - Contrast
  • W3C Perspectives – Clear Layout and Design

Further reading

  • Accessibility according to actual people with disabilities
  • Pixels vs. Relative Units in CSS: why it’s still a big deal
  • CSS units for font-size: px, em, rem
  • The Trouble with Tables: A Brief Introduction
  • About Universal Design
  • Definition and Overview of Universal Design (UD)
  • History of Universal Design
  • Benefits and Drivers
  • Policy and Legislation
  • Standards
  • Universal Design of Products and Services
  • Universal Design Approach
  • Awards
  • The 7 Principles
  • News & Events
  • Overview of Built Environment
  • eLearning Module - Buildings for Everyone: Central Bank of Ireland
  • Building for Everyone
  • Housing
  • Early Learning and Care Settings
  • Residential Long Term Care Settings for Older People
  • Walkability Auditing
  • Shared Space
  • Shared Educational Campuses
  • Universal Design Guidelines for Changing Places Toilets
  • Built Environment CPD
  • Overview of Communications & Digital
  • Web and Mobile Accessibility
  • ICT Research and Guidelines (Archived content)
  • Customer Communications Toolkit for Services to the Public - A Universal Design Approach
  • European Accessibility Act
  • Overview of Education
  • Primary Level Education
  • Secondary Level Education
  • Third Level Education
  • Continuous Professional Development
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  • Copyrights
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  • Accessibility Statement
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The National Disability Authority (NDA) is the independent statutory body that provides information and advice to Government on policy and practice relevant to the lives of persons with disabilities. The NDA assists in the co-ordination of disability policy, and also promotes Universal Design through the Centre for Excellence in Universal Design.

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