How inclusive is the digital world?

Imagine trying to fill out a form, but the buttons are too small for your smartphone. Or you're reading text on a website, but the low contrast is straining your eyes. Or maybe you've been annoyed by complicated navigation that keeps you from finding the information you're looking for. For some people, these barriers are minor - but for millions of people around the world, they represent a daily struggle for digital participation.

Inclusive design goes beyond simple adaptations: it ensures that digital products are designed from the outset to be accessible to all people, regardless of their vision, motor skills, or technical equipment.

But what does truly inclusive design look like? How can barriers be avoided in the first place, rather than having to fix them later?

What is inclusive design?

Inclusive design is a design philosophy that aims to develop digital products from the ground up so that they benefit as many people as possible - without the need for retrofitting. The goal is not to create special solutions for particular groups, but to create a universally usable digital environment that is equally accessible to all. The focus here is on the diversity of users: people with and without disabilities, the elderly, people with temporary limitations (e.g., a broken arm), or users with different end devices and technical capabilities.

A recent, much-discussed example of this is card payment devices that operate exclusively through digital displays without tactile or auditory feedback. While this may seem like a modern and practical solution, it is a significant barrier for people with visual impairments: Without tactile buttons or voice output, independent payment becomes nearly impossible.

This shows why inclusive design must be considered from the start. Digital developments should not only be modern, but also inclusive.

The five key principles of inclusive design

There are basic principles that have been proven to work when it comes to designing inclusive digital products:

1. User-centeredness: understanding and including diversity

Good design starts with the people it is designed for. Inclusive design means actively considering the diverse needs and abilities of all users - from those with visual or hearing impairments to those with cognitive or motor impairments.

Best practice: relies on co-creation - the direct involvement of people with different needs in the development process. Usability testing with real users helps to identify and remove barriers early on.

2. Flexibility & adaptability: offer choices

People use digital content differently. Websites and software solutions should be flexible and offer different ways to use them.

Best practice: Allow for individual adjustments, such as changing font sizes, color contrasts, or navigation methods. Assistive tools such as Eye-Able help to optimize content for different needs.

3. Clarity & Simplicity: Understandable content and intuitive navigation

A clear, well-structured design not only helps people with disabilities, but also improves the overall user experience.

Best practices:

• Use plain language and easy-to-read fonts.

• Provides high color contrast so text and buttons are clearly visible

Includes logical and predictable navigation that can be used with a keyboard or screen reader.

4. technical accessibility: support for assistive technologies

Many people use screen readers, voice control, or other assistive technologies. Digital products should be compatible with these technologies.

Best practices:

• Use semantic HTML code and correct ARIA attributes so that screen readers can interpret content correctly.

• Avoid purely visual cues - forms, buttons, or links should be usable without a mouse or touch screen.

5. Test with real users: Identify barriers early

No one can keep track of all the challenges, so testing with real users is essential.

Best practice:

• Conduct regular usability testing with a diverse group.

• Use automated and manual accessibility checks to identify barriers early.

Inclusive design makes the digital world better for everyone

Inclusive design not only means greater equity, it also means better products. When digital services are accessible to all, everyone benefits:

• Better user experience: clear, intuitive, and accessible websites are more enjoyable for all users*.

• Increased reach: The more people who can easily use content, the larger the potential audience.

• Legal compliance: Many countries have legal requirements for digital accessibility (e.g. the EU Directive on Accessible Websites).

• Innovation: Companies that focus on inclusive design often develop more creative and innovative solutions.

Digital offerings should build bridges, not barriers! Inclusive design ensures that all people are considered from the outset. This is a great advantage for website operators, as the content is accessible and does not need to be corrected afterwards. All that remains to be said is that if we design digital products inclusively from the start, not just a few people will benefit, but everyone.