Ask a random marketer or writer is that his answers or the perception of the perception of its perception relate to visual limitations. This is also one of the most obvious limitations, with a view to the visual internet.
However, a common limitation like ADHD is often overlooked by the person developers. Terribly frustrating for the more than 250,000 Dutch people with ADHD who use the internet daily.
What are the online thresholds?
Unfortunately, people are not as good at multitasking as we think ourselves. For internet users with ADHD it is a lot more difficult to distribute attention to different objects or parts. This group regularly suffers from information nuisance. The enormous amount of available information makes it difficult for users to stay focused on the task he or she is doing.
Incorrect use of contrast
This information nuisance translates in the digital world into, for example, a website with many different images, colors and fonts. For many people it is difficult to focus attention on the important aspects, but for users with ADHD this is becoming a lot harder. Other factors that are comparable are videos with many animations and flickering images. Excessive use of these elements can cause irritation.
Solution
For WordPress websites there is a fairly simple solution. There are various plug-ins that make it possible for users to adjust the site as desired. Take the lime green square at the top left of the screen. By clicking on this symbol, elements of the page can be adjusted. This way color tones, font size, contrast and the font can easily be adjusted.
Another solution is the consistent labeling and naming buttons, forms and other important parts of a site. For example, in the Wirwar of elements on the site, a distinction can still be made between important parts.
Videos and animations
Another error that is made a lot when embedding videos and animations on a website is to let a video play automatically. As a result, the video or animation plays immediately when the page is loaded. In rare cases, these videos are played with sound automatically. This is of course annoying for a large group of users.
Solution
The most obvious option is: simply do not place videos that play automatically. Another possibility is to give users the opportunity to set out animations and videos completely. This way busy elements of the website can be paused.
sentence structure and language use
Using complex sentences can be a threshold for people with ADHD. Hereby sentences are meant with unnecessarily difficult words. Another example is several sentences that are combined into one sentence through commas. Not only website visitors with ADHD can have problems with these kinds of complex sentences. Consider, for example, people with autism, with reading problems, dyslexia, or with learning disabilities.
Solution
What is simple language for one person is incomprehensible to another. To ensure that the language on a website is accessible to the widest possible audience, it is wise to have the website tested. Digital accessible.com helps organizations with the testing of a digital product .
A complicated navigation structure
An illogical or complicated navigation structure causes confusion, entirely for those who already have difficulty distributing their attention. Unfortunately, many designers and developers make the mistake of designing layouts too tight, or to use unknown terms.
Solution
By offering different navigation options, visitors can choose what they prefer. Consider, for example, both a menu in the header, a search function and the most important items again at the bottom of the website, in the Footer. This is also appreciated by the Google algorithms. Not so strange, because what is good for the user is good for the position that Google and other search engines give a website.
Optimizing websites for people with ADHD?
For many websites in the Netherlands, there is still a lot to be gained in the field of digital accessibility. Curious about other tips for more digital accessibility? Then continue reading at our blog.
Would you like to know more about creating a digital inclusive product? Please contact us for more information.
