We’ve all heard the saying: “A picture is worth a thousand words.” It’s true that a single image can convey complex ideas quickly and effectively. With the latest generation of AI image tools, it’s easier than ever to prompt your way to believable, natural and complex images to illustrate your digital designs and content.
But have you considered if everyone can benefit from these new images?
When you design any communication, putting yourself in the shoes of a range of users can help ensure that it will be universally well received.
Practical steps to optimise content for different users
For blind and partially sighted users
- Read your content aloud without looking at images. Does it still make sense? Does it have the impact you intended?
- Don’t rely on AI to generate alt text for your images. With images being increasingly used to convey meaning, it’s of vital importance to create meaningful and descriptive human authored alt text that can describe the story conjured via your image to a blind screen reader user. Maybe in the future, AI visual recognition will advance to the point where it can generate detailed and nuanced descriptions of images, but for now if you want to ensure that the images on your website can be fully understood by all users, take the time to perceive and then author your own alt text.
- Tab through your page using only the keyboard. This simple test reveals whether your visual hierarchy and image placement create a smooth or clunky experience.
- Check interactive elements like forms, maps, or videos. If they’re not accessible, you could be blocking a sale or preventing someone from accessing vital information.
- Test at 400% zoom. Many visually impaired users rely on screen magnification. Does your layout still flow logically? Can users easily find what comes next?
- Review colour contrast. Is every piece of text readable against its background? Aim for a minimum contrast of 4.5:1
For neurodivergent users
Neurodivergent users often have a range of conflicting requirements when it comes to consuming digital content. Mitigate for this by allowing for flexibility and personalisation within your website content.
- Does your site work well in dark mode?
- Can users adjust fonts and text size easily?
- Avoid overwhelming visuals. Large, flickering hero images or autoplay videos can be off-putting. If you use them, provide a clear pause button – it’s good UX and an accessibility requirement.
For d/Deaf and Hard of Hearing users
If you’re using AI video, add captions to ensure the impact is not lost. They’re essential for accessibility, as well as being preferred by *61% of 18–24-year-olds, who value the flexibility of watching without sound.
*source: YouGov poll, 2023.
Why this matters
The ability to create impressive AI images is evolving at an exponential rate. Being mindful of how a range of different humans might perceive them, can help you get ahead of the game in terms of keeping your communication optimal for everyone.
At Web Usability we test websites for accessibility and usability. By taking onboard the feedback and lived experiences of our expert inclusive testers, we can test for a whole spectrum of different user experiences to provide you with informed actionable insights that optimise communication with your users.
Want to make sure your website is accessible and inclusive?
Contact us to learn more about our accessibility and usability testing services.