As our world becomes more interconnected, the importance of accessible communication has never been greater. While plain language ensures written content is clear and easy to understand, true inclusivity goes beyond words. Visual accessibility, when paired with plain language, creates a powerful combination that makes information understandable and usable for everyone, regardless of abilities or background.
What is visual accessibility?
Visual accessibility refers to design practices that make content perceivable and navigable for individuals with visual impairments or cognitive disabilities. This includes elements like:
- appropriate color contrast,
- font selection,
- scalable text,
- intuitive layouts,
- the use of alternative text for images.
When visual accessibility is integrated alongside plain language, barriers to understanding are minimised, creating equitable access for all users.
The synergy between plain language and visual accessibility
Plain language simplifies the message, but visual elements provide essential context and support comprehension. For example:
- Infographics: instead of long paragraphs, complex data can be presented in visually engaging charts or icons with accompanying plain language summaries.
- Color and typography: high-contrast colors and accessible fonts (like sans-serif or fonts specifically designed for dyslexia) make written text easier to read.
- Whitespace: strategically using whitespace can help declutter layouts, making content more digestible for readers with cognitive challenges.
By blending these approaches, designers and communicators can reach audiences who might struggle with either traditional language or visuals alone.
Practical applications
- Government communications: public documents can use plain language for clarity, while visual tools like easy-to-navigate icons and color-coded sections improve usability.
- Education: in classrooms, textbooks and e-learning platforms can combine simplified text with accessible graphics and interactive design elements to support diverse learners.
- Healthcare: medical information becomes easier to understand when paired with diagrams, color-coded instructions, and clear labeling.
Challenges and solutions
While creating inclusive designs can be resource-intensive, the benefits far outweigh the costs. Collaborative teams—including linguists, graphic designers, and accessibility specialists—can ensure that content is both visually and linguistically accessible. Testing with diverse user groups also helps refine approaches and identify unforeseen barriers.
Why it matters
By integrating plain language with visual accessibility, we move closer to a world where communication is a universal right, not a privilege. This dual approach not only enhances usability for people with disabilities but also benefits everyone by making information clearer and more engaging.
Accessible design is more than just a technical requirement—it’s a statement of inclusion, empathy, and respect for all individuals. Together, plain language and visual accessibility can ensure no one is left behind in our increasingly digital world.