Breaking barriers with words: UX writing on Global Accessibility Awareness Day
As a UX writer with ADHD, accessibility holds a special significance for me. With Global Accessibility Awareness Day around the corner, it got me thinking about our commitment to creating inclusive and accessible user experiences for all, and the progress we’ve made so far in the UX writing team at Just Eat Takeaway.com (JET).
Screen reader compliance ≠ accessibility
When we think about how accessibility applies to UX, it’s tempting to think if we’re screen reader compliant, then we have it covered. Screen reader compliance is important, but the reality is, accessibility touches the lives of individuals with a diverse range of abilities. From users with motor impairments, who might navigate our products with an alternative to a keypad, keyboard or mouse, to users with temporary accessibility needs. Have you ever noticed an app is much harder to use when you’re multitasking, or in a noisy spot? It’s about ensuring that every individual can navigate and interact with our products effortlessly, regardless of their abilities or everyday stresses.
Accessibility and UX writing
In our everyday work as UX writers, we embed accessibility into everything we do. Here’s a glimpse into a few ways we shape every piece of JET product copy to cater for a wide spectrum of accessibility.
Just take a look at these UX writing accessibility recommendations. Each one has multiple and diverse accessibility needs attached to it. It just goes to show how much impact thoughtful writing can have, no matter how small the change may appear to the untrained eye.
How do we do it?
You might think, “but I’m not a UX writer: how can I do this myself?” There are no shortcuts to years of experience, but it’s easy to improve the accessibility of your writing by following some age-old UX writer wisdom.
Plain, consistent language
We believe in the power of simplicity. Our content is crafted with clarity, making it easy for everyone to understand. No jargon. Just pure, unadulterated readability.
Direct tone and inclusive verbs
Instead of leaving folks scratching their heads, we point the way with crystal-clear calls to action. ‘You must’ rather than ‘you should’ is our mantra. After all, who’s got time for ambiguity?
We also use inclusive verbs like ‘Select’ instead of ‘Click,’ acknowledging the diverse ways users interact with our platforms. This approach also ensures we communicate clear instructions and guidance to users with learning disabilities, or those who are just in a hurry!
Information hierarchy
Ever feel like you’re lost in a labyrinth of links? Not on our watch. We slice and dice content into bite-sized chunks, serving them up with headers so crisp, you’ll want to sink your teeth right in.
And those buttons and links? They’re like signposts on a well-marked trail — clear, descriptive, providing context and functionality, and making navigation a breeze for all users.
We also steer clear of generic phrases, plumping for language that clearly articulates the action or destination.
So, let’s celebrate Global Accessibility Awareness Day: the day we raise our UX swords and pledge allegiance to championing inclusivity and accessibility in JET products. Here’s to making the world of everyday convenience a more welcoming place for all, where no one is left behind!
