PETITION: Please Make Your Devices and Software More Accessibility Friendly for Neurodivergent Persons
Improving Accessibility: Addressing Vestibular and Visual Processing Issues in Digital Interfaces
In our increasingly digital world, ensuring accessibility for all users isn’t just about convenience; it’s a fundamental human right. One area that often goes overlooked is the impact of digital interfaces on individuals with vestibular and visual processing issues. Certain design elements, which are widespread across websites, mobile operating systems, apps, and desktop environments, can significantly affect users with these conditions. For example, vestibular disorders or visual processing issues can be aggravated by loading spinners, blinking text carets, flashing GIFs, and other animations that are common in digital environments.
The Challenge of Vestibular and Visual Sensitivity
For individuals with vestibular sensitivity, motion-heavy visual elements can cause nausea, dizziness, or headaches. Similarly, those with visual processing issues may find it difficult to focus or read text when distracted by blinking or flashing content. Unfortunately, common visual cues and animations that serve functional purposes often neglect the diverse needs of users with sensory sensitivities.
A Step Forward: Apple’s Recent Accessibility Updates
We want to extend our thanks to Apple for its recent efforts in making its OS Sequoia and iOS 18 more accessible by removing the blinking text caret—a significant step in accommodating users with visual sensitivities. However, additional work remains to create an entirely accessible environment. Loading spinners, for instance, are still present on both Mac and mobile, and many third-party apps on Mac, including those from Microsoft Office, do not honor the “prefers reduced motion” setting. These remaining issues highlight the need for comprehensive accessibility across all platforms and applications.
Current Accessibility Standards: “Prefers Reduced Motion”
The “prefers reduced motion” feature, available on platforms like iOS, Android, and various desktop OSes, is intended to help address the challenges of motion sensitivity. Unfortunately, this setting remains limited in its implementation, and not all websites and applications fully support it. The setting also doesn’t account for the entire spectrum of vestibular and visual sensitivities, creating an inconsistent experience for users who rely on accessibility features.
Moving Toward Comprehensive Accessibility
To fully address accessibility needs for those with vestibular and visual processing issues, we suggest the following:
- Awareness and Education: Designers and developers should understand the potential impact of design choices on users with sensory sensitivities. Training in inclusive design principles can increase this awareness.
- Enhanced User Preferences: While the “prefers reduced motion” setting is helpful, it should be more comprehensive and universally honored. Developers should aim to support it across all design elements and applications, including third-party software.
- Testing and Feedback: Conduct usability testing with individuals who experience sensory sensitivities to understand the impact of design choices better. Incorporating feedback from diverse users is crucial to creating universally accessible digital experiences.
- Alternative Design Approaches: Explore alternative design solutions that meet functional needs without relying on motion-heavy or visually distracting elements, which could benefit all users.
Conclusion
Enhancing accessibility for people with vestibular and visual sensitivities isn’t just about meeting standards; it’s about inclusivity and ensuring that everyone can participate fully in the digital world without unnecessary discomfort. By prioritizing thoughtful design, enhancing accessibility features, and incorporating ongoing feedback from the community, designers, developers, and technology companies can ensure digital environments are inclusive for all. We commend Apple for taking an important step with the blinking text caret removal and urge continued efforts to create universally accessible interfaces.
