*This article is an English translation of a Japanese article.
In web accessibility standards, the principle of “readability” emphasizes the importance of presenting content in a way that is clear and easy to understand for all users. For individuals with limited reading skills, visual impairments, or cognitive disabilities, complex language and structures can be significant barriers. This article explains the importance of readability in accessibility and provides concrete methods to implement this principle effectively.
Why is Readability Important?
Designing with readability in mind is essential to ensure a broad range of users can access and understand web content. This consideration is especially vital for:
- Older adults and young children: Using simple language helps users with limited reading skills navigate content more easily.
- Non-native speakers: Avoiding complex or technical jargon makes content accessible for users who may not be fluent in the primary language.
- Individuals with cognitive disabilities: Simple sentence structures and intuitive wording support a clear understanding of the content.
Practical Methods to Enhance Readability
1. Use Clear and Simple Language
Avoid complex words or jargon, and choose expressions that are easy to understand for all users. Here are some examples:
Examples:
- Instead of “Initiate action,” use “Start.”
- Instead of “Ensure compliance,” use “Follow the rules.”
2. Highlight Important Information
On pages with a lot of information, emphasize essential content by using bold text or color. Positioning key points at the beginning of paragraphs can help users scan and locate important information quickly.
Example:
<p><strong>Important:</strong> Registration is required to use this service.</p>
3. Provide Explanations or Tooltips for Specialized Terms
When technical terms or abbreviations are necessary, add a brief explanation or use tooltips to clarify their meaning. This additional information ensures accessibility for users unfamiliar with specialized vocabulary.
Example:
<p>This process applies to <a href="#" title="First-time visitors to the site">new visitors</a>.</p>
4. Use Short Sentences
Long sentences can make content difficult to understand. Using concise sentences improves readability and helps users quickly grasp the content.
5. Organize Information with Lists and Paragraphs
Break down complex information into lists or paragraphs to improve readability. This format helps users visually organize content, making it easier to understand even when dealing with more complex topics.
Example:
<p>Follow these steps to start using the service:</p>
<ul>
<li>Create an account</li>
<li>Verify your email address</li>
<li>Log in and start exploring</li>
</ul>
Additional Tips for Enhancing Readability
- Adjust font size and contrast: Increase font size and ensure adequate contrast to support users with visual impairments, making text more legible.
- Conduct user testing: Have real users review the content to identify any confusing areas or aspects that need improvement.
Conclusion
Prioritizing readability in web design ensures accessible content that users can easily understand. By using simple language, organizing information visually, and ensuring proper font size and contrast, we can enhance the accessibility of our websites. Adopting these readability practices is a significant step toward creating a user-friendly, accessible web for everyone.
We have released the UUU Web Accessibility Widget Tool, designed to make web accessibility easy to implement. This tool helps improve the accessibility of websites quickly and efficiently, even without specialized knowledge.
If you’re interested in enhancing your website’s accessibility, please check out the details. We are here to support you in making your website more user-friendly and accessible to a wider audience.