Computer Science
Grade 8
20 min
Accessibility Considerations: Designing for Everyone
Students will learn about accessibility considerations in app design, such as color contrast and screen reader compatibility.
What you'll learn
- Identify at least three different types of disabilities (e.g., visual, auditory, motor, cognitive) that can impact how people use computers and websites.
- Explain how using alternative text (alt-text) for images on a website can improve accessibility for visually impaired users.
- Apply accessibility principles by suggesting at least two specific design changes to a given website mockup to make it more user-friendly for people with disabilities.
- Analyze a website's design and identify at least one potential accessibility barrier for users with a specific disability (e.g., color blindness, dyslexia).
Tutorial Preview
1
Introduction & Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives
Define accessibility in the context of mobile app design.
Identify common accessibility barriers in mobile apps.
Explain the importance of designing accessible mobile apps for all users.
Describe basic principles for improving mobile app accessibility (e.g., contrast, text size, alternative text).
Suggest simple features to enhance accessibility for users with diverse needs.
Understand how accessible design benefits everyone, not just people with disabilities.
Ever tried to use an app with one hand, or in bright sunlight? ☀️ What if an app was impossible to use because the text was too small or the buttons were hard to tap?
In this lesson, we'll explore what 'accessibility' means in mobile app design and why it's crucial to create app...
2
Key Concepts & Vocabulary
TermDefinitionExample
AccessibilityThe practice of designing products, devices, services, or environments so that people with disabilities can use them effectively.An app that allows users to increase the text size for easier reading is demonstrating good accessibility.
Inclusive DesignA design philosophy that aims to create products and services usable by the widest possible range of people, considering diverse abilities, ages, and situations.An app that offers both touch controls and voice commands for navigation is an example of inclusive design.
Assistive TechnologyAny item, piece of equipment, software, or product system that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities.A screen reader is an assistive technology that reads aloud t...
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Core Syntax & Patterns
Provide Alternative Text for Images
All meaningful images, icons, and non-text elements in an app should have descriptive alternative text.
This rule ensures that users relying on screen readers can understand the visual content. If an image is purely decorative, its alt text can be empty to prevent screen readers from announcing it.
Ensure Sufficient Color Contrast
Text and interactive elements must have enough contrast against their background to be easily readable by all users.
This helps users with low vision, color blindness, or those using the app in challenging lighting conditions. Industry standards (like WCAG) recommend specific contrast ratios.
Design for Flexible Text Size
Mobile apps should allow users to adjust text size through their device's system...
4 more steps in this tutorial
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Challenging
You are reviewing a new social media app. You notice the "Like" button is a faint gray heart icon on a white background, it's very small, and it's placed right next to the "Report" icon. A screen reader just says "button" when it's focused. How would you report these issues using the correct terminology?
A.The button is ugly, too small, and confusing.
B.The app has bad usability and a poor user interface.
C.The button has insufficient color contrast, is not a large enough tappable area, and is missing descriptive alternative text.
D.The button needs to be bigger, a different color, and have a text label next to it.
Challenging
A designer argues that making buttons larger and adding borders, as accessibility guidelines suggest, will make their app look "clunky" and less modern. What is the strongest counter-argument from an inclusive design perspective?
A.design that is unusable by a portion of the population is fundamentally a failed design, regardless of its aesthetic appeal.
B."Clunky" design is a new trend that many users will find appealing.
C.The designer can hide the accessible features in a special "accessibility mode" so most users won't see them.
D.Accessibility rules are optional suggestions and can be ignored if they interfere with the artistic vision.
Challenging
An educational app uses a color-coded drag-and-drop game where users must match red, green, and blue items to corresponding bins. This design is inaccessible to users with color blindness. What is the BEST way to fix this while keeping the game interactive?
A.Add a text label (e.g., "R", "G", "B") or a unique shape (circle, square, triangle) to each colored item and bin.
B.Remove the game and replace it with a multiple-choice quiz.
C.Add a note at the beginning of the game saying it is not suitable for users with color blindness.
D.Make the colors much brighter.
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Frequently asked questions
What grade level is "Accessibility Considerations: Designing for Everyone"?
Accessibility Considerations: Designing for Everyone is a Grade 8 Computer Science lesson on ExcelOS.
What will I learn in Accessibility Considerations: Designing for Everyone?
You'll be able to: Identify at least three different types of disabilities (e.g., visual, auditory, motor, cognitive) that can impact how people use computers and websites; Explain how using alternative text (alt-text) for images on a website can….
Is "Accessibility Considerations: Designing for Everyone" free to practice?
Yes. You can read the tutorial preview for free, and signing up for a free ExcelOS account unlocks the full tutorial and all practice questions with instant feedback.
How many practice questions are included with Accessibility Considerations: Designing for Everyone?
This lesson includes 27 practice questions across multiple difficulty levels, each with instant feedback and explanations.