Accessibility: Designing for diverse learners

See also:

This infographic from the University of Hull gives simple rules for making your content accessible.

Please see the Practical guide to creating accessible resources which explains how to carry out the suggestions shown here.

Designing for Diverse learners poster. Items listed on the poster are in text form immediately following this image

Designing for Diverse learners poster - text only version

Do

  • use a combination of colour, shapes and text to convey meaning

  • use sub-headings and a linear, logical layout with text aligned left

  • use sub-headings, keep content short and make vital information clear

  • use Microsoft Word headings and styles

  • add alternative (alt) text to all images and visual content

  • use good colour contrasts and a readable font

  • use subtitles or provide transcripts for videos

  • write descriptive links and headings

  • ensure all content can be navigated with a keyboard

  • use a textbox to increase contrast between images and text

  • allow user control and navigation of all video and audio content

Don't

  • use colour alone to convey meaning

  • make complex, cluttered layouts and menus

  • make users read long blocks of content

  • rely on text size and layout for structure

  • provide rich media content without a text alternative

  • use low colour contrasts and small font size

  • underline words, use italics or write in capitals

  • write uninformative links and headings

  • force use of the mouse

  • put text over images or patterned backgrounds

  • automatically play audio and video content

These pages are created by the LSE Digital Education Team and licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License CC BY-SA 4.0