Design for everyone
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This overview introduces key concepts of writing for everyone.
Types of disability
Disability can be visible or invisible, and it can be situational, temporary, or
permanent. The following table includes some examples.
|
Vision |
Hearing |
Speech |
Mobility |
Cognition |
| Situational |
Driving
Dark room |
Noisy environment |
In a library
At a lecture |
In bed
Arms/hands full |
Forgetting information
Time demands |
| Temporary |
Dilated pupils
Cataracts |
Ear infection |
Laryngitis |
Arm or hand injury |
No prior training
Multi-tasking |
| Permanent |
Blindness
Vision impairment |
Deaf
Hard-of-hearing |
Dysarthria
Stuttering |
Amputation
Parkinson's disease |
Dementia |
According to the World Health Organization,
about 16% of the world's population experiences significant disability. However,
as the preceding table illustrates, disability shows up in various ways and can
affect anyone at different times in life. Designing for everyone does indeed
benefit everyone.
The curb cut effect
Designing for everyone often results in benefits beyond the intended
use cases.
The curb cut effect is a common example of beneficial design in the physical
world. Originally, curb cuts (sidewalk ramps) were designed for people in
wheelchairs. However, many people benefit from curb cuts, such as anyone with a
stroller, suitcase, or delivery cart.
Here are some other examples of the curb cut effect in digital technology:
- Contrast ratios: Color contrast requirements were originally designed to
help people who have low vision or color blindness. Color contrast
requirements also ended up helping people who are trying to see the phone
screen on a sunny day, or who had their pupils dilated at the eye doctor.
- Text to speech and voice commands: These tools assist people who are blind
or have low vision. They also turned out to be useful for hands-free
use while driving, cooking, or holding a baby.
- Keyboard access: Improving keyboard navigability improves accessibility
for screen reader users and people with motor impairments. Keyboard access
also improves productivity for power users.
- Clear language: Simplifying language makes documentation easier to
understand, and it also eases translation and localization.
Next unit: Write helpful alt text
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Last updated 2025-04-17 UTC.
[null,null,["Last updated 2025-04-17 UTC."],[[["\u003cp\u003eInclusive design considers the wide range of human abilities and disabilities, encompassing permanent, temporary, and situational impairments.\u003c/p\u003e\n"],["\u003cp\u003eThe curb cut effect demonstrates how designing for accessibility often benefits a wider audience than originally intended.\u003c/p\u003e\n"],["\u003cp\u003eDigital accessibility features, such as text to speech and keyboard access, not only assist people with disabilities but also enhance usability for everyone.\u003c/p\u003e\n"],["\u003cp\u003eColor contrast requirements, initially designed for low vision users, also improve readability in various lighting conditions for all users.\u003c/p\u003e\n"],["\u003cp\u003eUsing clear and simple language promotes cognitive inclusion and facilitates translation and localization for broader accessibility.\u003c/p\u003e\n"]]],["Disability can be situational, temporary, or permanent, impacting vision, hearing, speech, mobility, or cognition. Inclusive design, exemplified by the \"curb cut effect,\" demonstrates that features intended for people with disabilities often benefit others. Examples include high contrast for low vision also helping in bright sunlight, text-to-speech assisting hands-free users, keyboard accessibility aiding power users, and clear language easing localization. This shows that inclusive design principles improve the usability for many beyond its original intent.\n"],null,["# Design for everyone\n\n\u003cbr /\u003e\n\nThis overview introduces key concepts of writing for everyone.\n\n\nTypes of disability\n-------------------\n\nDisability can be visible or invisible, and it can be situational, temporary, or\npermanent. The following table includes some examples.\n\n|-----------------|-----------------------------|----------------------|---------------------------|--------------------------------|-------------------------------------|\n| | **Vision** | **Hearing** | **Speech** | **Mobility** | **Cognition** |\n| **Situational** | Driving Dark room | Noisy environment | In a library At a lecture | In bed Arms/hands full | Forgetting information Time demands |\n| **Temporary** | Dilated pupils Cataracts | Ear infection | Laryngitis | Arm or hand injury | No prior training Multi-tasking |\n| **Permanent** | Blindness Vision impairment | Deaf Hard-of-hearing | Dysarthria Stuttering | Amputation Parkinson's disease | Dementia |\n\nAccording to the [World Health Organization](https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/disability-and-health),\nabout 16% of the world's population experiences significant disability. However,\nas the preceding table illustrates, disability shows up in various ways and can\naffect anyone at different times in life. Designing for everyone does indeed\nbenefit everyone.\n\nThe curb cut effect\n-------------------\n\nDesigning for everyone often results in benefits beyond the intended\nuse cases.\n\nThe *curb cut effect* is a common example of beneficial design in the physical\nworld. Originally, curb cuts (sidewalk ramps) were designed for people in\nwheelchairs. However, many people benefit from curb cuts, such as anyone with a\nstroller, suitcase, or delivery cart.\n\nHere are some other examples of the curb cut effect in digital technology:\n\n- **Contrast ratios**: Color contrast requirements were originally designed to help people who have low vision or color blindness. Color contrast requirements also ended up helping people who are trying to see the phone screen on a sunny day, or who had their pupils dilated at the eye doctor.\n- **Text to speech and voice commands**: These tools assist people who are blind or have low vision. They also turned out to be useful for hands-free use while driving, cooking, or holding a baby.\n- **Keyboard access**: Improving keyboard navigability improves accessibility for screen reader users and people with motor impairments. Keyboard access also improves productivity for power users.\n- **Clear language**: Simplifying language makes documentation easier to understand, and it also eases translation and localization.\n\n\u003cbr /\u003e\n\n**Next unit:** [Write helpful alt text](/tech-writing/accessibility/self-study/write-alt-text)"]]
