Smart guides

Smart guide Text alternative to audio 15% of your audience … … probably hear less than you do. Use microphone - even in a small room. Ensure good audio quality Check microphone, shut the door. Use closed captions - let the user decide. Live captions are preferred Use auto captions when suitable. Funka Foundation logo

Smart guide: Text alternative to audio – PDF, opens in a new window

Smart guide Getting tables right Use tables only for data Use tables to show data with the use of headers. Don’t use for layout or formatting. Visual cues Make headers stand out and use banded rows to guide the eye. Use proper mark-up Mark up header cells and data cells, so that tables work with assistive technology. Keep the layout simple Avoid merged or split cells. Limit the number of header rows and columns. Make tables easier to read Use sufficient font size and enough spacing. Repeat header row on each page. Funka Foundation logo

Smart guide: Getting tables right – PDF, opens in a new window

Smart guide Accessible input fields Persistent and clear labels Use visible, well-formed labels and connect them to the input field. Never rely on placeholders alone. Help the user succeed Use the right input type, mark required fields clearly and add autocomplete. Ensure sufficient contrast Ensure text, borders, error messages, and focus indicators are easy to detect. Don’t rely on colour alone. Write helpful error messages Be specific about what went wrong and how to fix it. Design error messages Design, mark and connect errors messages to the field. Don’t rely on browser validation. Funka Foundation logo

Smart guide: Accessible input fields – PDF, opens in a new window

Smart guide Accessible e-learnings Design clear navigation Keep menus simple and consistent. Show where users are and their progress.. Make content accessible to all Offer text alternatives and ensure it works with assistive technology. Structure information clearly Use headings and spaces and organise content logically. Support multiple learning styles A standardised format makes it easier to understand the questions. Motivate and promote reflection Set meaningful goals and allow self-paced learning. Funka Foundation logo

Smart guide: Accessible e-learningss – PDF, opens in a new window

Smart guide Accessible support services Offer multiple contact options Let the user choose the channel. Multimodality is key Provide information in different formats. Train staff in disability etiquette Make sure everyone feels welcome. Direct route to customer service Make it easy to get in touch with a human. Provide support for relay services Use interpreters or AAC wherever needed. Funka Foundation logo

Smart guide: Accessible support services – PDF, opens in a new window

Smart guide Chart accessibility made easy Keep it simple Use familiar chart types. Round numbers and split complex charts. Reduce visual clutter Avoid 3D, shadows, and backgrounds. Limit gridlines and borders. Use colour wisely Use colour to highlight, not to decorate. Support colours with patterns, shapes, or labels. Support understanding Use large fonts and horizontal text. Add captions and alt text. Ensure good contrast Make sure text and elements have enough contrast with each other and the background. Funka Foundation logo

Smart guide: Chart accessibility made easy – PDF, opens in a new window

Smart guide Creating accessible surveys Keep surveys short Users are more likely to finish surveys that are succinct and to the point. Show time estimate and progress Help users plan their time and keep their focus throughout the survey. Group similar questions Use headings to help users understand what the questions are about. Use consistent formats A standardised format makes it easier to understand the questions. Offer help if needed Provide support and alternative formats. Funka Foundation logo

Smart guide: Creating accessible surveys – PDF, opens in a new window

Smart guide Testing mobile apps Test with automatic tools On Android, use Accessibility Checker. On iPhone, connect to Mac and use Xcode + Accessibility Inspector. Ensure device compatibility Test on both tablet and phone, in both orientations, and in light/dark mode. Verify adjustable font sizes Check that text scales properly and stays readable – no cutoff or overlap. Test with various input methods Test with a screen reader, voice control and external devices like keyboards and switches. Do user testing Combine automated and manual checks with feedback from real users. Funka Foundation logo

Smart guide: Testing mobile apps – PDF, opens in a new window

Smart guide Accessible cookie consent Make the cookies easy to find Make it immediately apparent both visually and code-wise. Use plain language Avoid technical terms and add explanations. Ensure technical accessibility Support assistive technology and follow accessibility standards. Provide clear choices Use distinct terms such as accept, reject and customise. Give users control Make it easy to find and change the preferences. Funka Foundation logo

Smart guide: Accessible cookie banners: research insights and best practices – PDF, opens in a new window

Smart guide User involvement Point to examples When user input has led to change. Part of the process Make user involvement a mandatory step. Start small Testing with one user is better than not testing at all. Document and follow up Share your learnings, build internal knowledge. Get support when needed Analysis and prioritisation require experience. Funka Foundation logo

Smart guide: User involvement – PDF, opens in a new window

Smart guide Test accessibility efficiently and affordably Use a smorgasbord of free tools Different tools excel at different things. Beware of false positives Verify errors manually to avoid wasting time on non-issues. Combine automated and manual testing Be aware that some actions may need extra clean-up. No tool can replace real user testing Pair automated checks with real user feedback to ensure usability. Test continuously Regular testing makes it easier, less overwhelming, and more effective. Funka Foundation logo

Smart guide: Test accessibility efficiently and affordably – PDF, opens in a new window

Smart guide Document remediation – setting up your workflow Fix source file A more accessible source file means less work in PDF. Prepare for efficiency For easier handling, use shortcuts and ”tricks”. Watch out for domino effects Be aware that some actions may need extra clean-up. Handle with care Some actions can break your file: do them early on and carefully. Work with batches Group similar tasks together. Funka Foundation logo

Smart guide: Document remediation – setting up your workflow – PDF, opens in a new window

Smart guide Non-digital information Offer choices through multimodality Provide more than one alternative format. Digital information improves accessibility Complement with information in digital formats. Increase line spacing More white space increases readability. Use plain language Use short sentences and simple vocabulary. Use illustrations Illustrations reinforces your message. Funka Foundation logo

Smart guide: Non-digital information – PDF, opens in a new window

Smart guide Delivering accessible design Teamwork Collaborate with developers and content creators. Accessible design system Include all states for interactive components and ensure consistency. Use annotations Document the unseen, like heading structures, alt texts, and focus order. Stress test the design Verify that design works seamlessly in 320px width, with text enlarged to 200% and real content. Test early and often Test the design at every stage and involve users with diverse needs. Funka Foundation logo

Smart guide: Delivering accessible design – PDF, opens in a new window

Smart guide Automagical formatting for readability Text needs air Set spacing for a visually easy and understandable structure. Keep it together Ensure that content that belongs together is kept together. Keep lines tidy Use short lines, align text to left and avoid hyphenation. Use Styles Automate formatting by using pre-set Styles. Make tables understandable Repeat the header row on each page. Funka Foundation logo

Smart guide: Automagical formatting for readability – PDF, opens in a new window

Smart guide ALT texts – How should I write them? Start with the key word Write the most important part first. Describe the purpose of the image What does it mean in this context. Keep it short Be concise, one to two sentences. A link will lead you somewhere For linked images, describe the destination. Infographics and complex images Describe the content in adjacent text. Funka Foundation logo

Smart guide: ALT texts – How should I write them? – PDF, opens in a new window

Smart guide Stress-free design Highlight key information Help the user find what they need to know. Avoid distractions Keep the design simple with few non-essential features. Provide alternatives Present information through more than one sense. Consistent design Use familiar design patterns with standard placement of elements. User-centred design process Test with users of different abilities. Funka Foundation logo

Smart guide: Stress-free design, PDF, opens in a new window

Smart guide Key strategies for creating accessible documents Plan structure Think through the structure of the whole document in advance. Use built-in tools Use built-in tools, layouts and styles for consistent design. Rethink tables Check if the table could be a list, simplified or split up into several tables. Put data in text Provide datasets, from a chart, as text or table. Define a colour palette Plan colours to ensure good contrasts and consistent design. Funka Foundation logo

Smart guide: Key strategies for creating accessible documents, PDF, opens in a new window

Smart guide EAA requirements made easy Maximise the foreseeable use Make usage possible for all, in various situations and environments. More than one sensory channel Let users choose the format or mode they prefer. Alternative to biometrics Provide another way to interact, not biometrics alone. Flexible time for interaction Allow users the time they need. Compatible with assistive technology Empower users by supporting the use of their own tools. Funka Foundation logo

Smart guide on European Accessibility Act, PDF, opens in a new window

Smart guide Social Media Accessibility Use plain language Write in plain language. Avoid idioms, figure of speech or internal jargong. Use captions in videos Use closed captions or provide transcripts for videos and podcasts. Use alt text for images Provide descriptive alternative texts for images. Use “camelCase” in hashtags Capitalise each word in hashtags. Use emojis with care Avoid replacing words or using emojis as bullet points. Funka Foundation logo

Smart guide on Accessibility in social media, PDF, opens in a new window

Smart guide The untapped resource of accessibility features Highlight accessibility features Help the user find built-in accessibility features. Provide guidance Guide users on how the built-in features work. Consistent design Use a consistent design with standard placement of objects. Notify accessibility changes Inform users about updates that impact accessibility. Keep settings across platforms Preserve individual user settings across different platforms. Funka Foundation logo

Smart guide on The untapped resource of accessibility features, PDF, opens in a new window