This guide helps you design accessible and inclusive customer experiences — in line with the upcoming European Accessibility Act (EAA). Whether you're working with forms, banners, promotions, or any interactive content in Voyado, these tips help ensure your communication works for everyone.

Below, you'll find clear guidance on what to do and what to avoid. No jargon — just practical things that improve usability and help you stay compliant.

1. Make text easy to read and screen-reader compatible

• Use clear, straightforward language. Avoid emojis and ALL CAPS.
• Use minimum 14 pixels for paragraph texts.
• Structure your content using headings and short paragraphs. Always use heading levels (H1, H2 etc) and paragraph levels. They help users understand how information is organized, and help screen readers and assistive technology to navigate your content.
• Add descriptive labels to buttons and links, so users understand what will happen if they click them (e.g., “See offer” or “Complete sign-up”). Generic links like “Click here” will not make sense without context.

2. Use strong contrast between text and background

• Make sure text stands out clearly against its background by using contrasting colors— black text on white background or dark text on light background is a safe starting point. Low-contrast color combinations like grey on white are hard to see for the vision impaired.
• If you use color to highlight something (e.g., status, urgency), add icons or labels too. If you rely on color alone to give things another meaning — some users won’t see it the way you do.

3. Add Alt text for images

Alt text is short for alternative text, and is a short written description of an image. A user will not be helped by a vague alt text like “image” or “graphic”. Descriptive alt texts are key components of accessible design, they are read aloud by screen readers to visually impaired users. They are also displayed when an image fails to load, and used by search engines to understand the content of images.

• Add short, meaningful alt text for images that carry information or context (e.g., “20% discount offer”).  It allows users who are using screen readers to get the messages in the image too.
• If the image is purely decorative, you can leave the alt text empty.

4. Use clear, clickable elements and support keyboard navigation

• Use button and link text that describes the action clearly (e.g., “Start trial”, “See more”).
• Ensure all interactive elements — like buttons, form fields, and links — can be accessed with the keyboard (via the Tab key).
• Provide a visible focus indicator so users can see which element they’re on when navigating with the keyboard.
• Keep tap targets large enough — ideally 44x44 pixels or more.

Avoid:

• Hidden actions that only appear when the user hovers over a text.
• Elements that are only accessible with a mouse or touchscreen.
• Tiny buttons or closely spaced links.

5. Tools and testing

• Check your text color combinations using a contrast checking tool like the WebAIM Contrast Checker.
• Test your flow using only a keyboard or with a screen reader — this gives insight into how accessible it really is.

Why accessibility matters

If your content isn’t accessible, some people may be excluded from it — and your organization may face legal risk under the EAA. Making a few small adjustments ensures a better experience for everyone. Following accessibility standards means making sure everyone can:

• Read and understand your content
• See what’s on the screen, even with visual impairments or color blindness
• Use all interactive elements with a keyboard or assistive technology

Article last updated 24 June 2025 14:27