What is curb cutting?
In design, there's something called the curb cut effect. Here, things that were created to help people with disabilities result in benefitting a wider audience, if not everyone.
The name comes from the literal cutting of curbs. A curb cut was initially done for a wheelchair user so they can easily get onto the pavement. But, it's not just wheelchair users who benefit. This also helps cyclists, parents with prams, and delivery people, to pick just three.
Closed captioning is another example of a curb cut effect. Originally intended for deaf people, but also benefit people trying to watch sports on the TV in a noisy pub.
The unpopular truth is that people with disabilities aren't catered for to an extent that is any more than is required. It's considered an additional effort for only a few people. All too often considered not to be worth it.
There's then the issue of labelling. You have to say "this is for disabled people". This throws into question those who don't know they're disabled, those who pretend to be disabled and those who can and can't prove it. Is this product or service for them? Should they have access to it?
Take service dogs, for example. They're allowed in certain public spaces that other dogs are not, because they're trained to be calm there. The dogs themselves are free, but the training is very expensive. This means the number of service dogs available is limited. Not everyone who wants one can get one.
The people who decide who gets to have one are trained, medical practitioners. It's not down to Joe Public to decide if someone is disabled and deserves a service dog, which would be entirely wrong. The same goes for instances where a person who appears to not have a disability uses the disabled toilet, and a stranger expresses their opinion. In this instance, you're more likely to harass someone with a hidden disability than to call out a legitimate faker. By using the accommodation, you're only going to create a positive attitude toward it.
So?
The point is, if an accommodation makes your day easier and there is no stipulation to prove that you are disabled to use it, then you should use it. If using a wheelchair means you can get around further and faster than would be possible without one, then you should use a wheelchair. If you want to use subtitles to better keep up with your TV programme, switch them on.
If you see someone using an accomodation, it's not your place to confront them and force proof of disability. In all instances, you're simply interrupting (and potentially harassing) a person using something designed to help them.
Check out our star Phoebe showing this off perfectly.
So, what does this have to do with web design?
Accessibility benefits more than just those with disabilities. Here are some examples of the curb cut effect in web design. They don't just help people with specific needs, but everyone.
Captions - Audio and Visual
What is it? A written description of either audio or visual content. This includes closed and open captions.
Who needs this? People who can't hear the content, for any reason.
Who benefits? Using this transcript method will increase the understanding of the content and help those who digest information differently.
Headings
What is it? Simply, the title at the top of a page outlining the content to follow.
Who needs this? Those using a screen reader can understand and navigate the page quickly.
Who benefits? Visually, this breaks information into digestible chunks for everyone. Search engines rely on good headings to understand what is on the website.
Alt Text
What is it? A text description of a media file; photo or video
Who needs this? Someone who cannot see the image for whatever reason
Who benefits? Again, search engines like alt text as it helps them understand images. Alt text in email helps to act as a preview before a user downloads it.
Colour Contrast
What is it? The minimum level of difference between the colours of the text and the background on which it sits.
Who needs this? Those who are visually impaired and those with specific kinds of colourblindness.
Who benefits? Text with low contrast is difficult to read. If there's glare or a poor quality monitor, it's almost impossible. Correct colour contrast benefits everyone.
These are just some examples, but hopefully, you get the point.
Accessibility benefits us
The curb cut effect shows that you care about making your website more accessible to everyone.
If you're wondering why you should bother improving the accessibility of your site because you're not sure how many people need it, remember that everyone benefits. Questioning the numbers belittles those with a specific need. Accessible websites are better for everyone to navigate and we all want a more inclusive world wide web.
We'd love to help you achieve this. Let's start with a sample accessibility audit. Contact us.