Designing for the Blind and Visually Impaired: A Practical Guide

The Web Isn’t Equal, Let’s Change That

Imagine navigating a website without being able to see the screen. Sounds challenging? For millions of blind and visually impaired users, this is a daily experience.

While accessibility is improving, many websites, apps, and digital platforms still present major usability barriers — from unlabeled buttons to inaccessible forms and visuals without alternative text.

In this guide, we’ll cover:

• Who blind and visually impaired users are
• How they interact with digital content
• Common accessibility barriers and how to fix them
• Tools and tips for inclusive design
• Legal and ethical considerations

Whether you're a designer, developer, or business leader, this article will help you build a digital space that truly includes everyone.

Who Are Blind and Visually Impaired Users?

The term includes a wide range of people with vision loss, from those with total blindness to individuals with low vision, color blindness, or visual field loss.

Categories of Vision Disabilities:

• Blindness: Total or near-total vision loss
• Low Vision: Significant visual impairment not correctable by glasses
• Color Blindness: Difficulty distinguishing certain colors (e.g., red-green)
• Tunnel Vision / Peripheral Vision Loss: Limited field of view

According to the World Health Organization, over 2.2 billion people globally have some form of vision impairment.

How Blind and Visually Impaired Users Navigate the Web

Most blind users rely on screen readers — software that converts digital text into speech or Braille output. Others may use screen magnifiers, high-contrast displays, or keyboard-only navigation.

Common Assistive Technologies:

• Screen Readers: NVDA, JAWS, VoiceOver, TalkBack
• Refreshable Braille Displays
• Magnifiers: ZoomText, browser zoom
• Keyboard Shortcuts and Tab Navigation

Common Digital Barriers (And How to Fix Them)

Here’s a breakdown of frequent challenges faced by blind and visually impaired users — along with actionable fixes.

Key Principles of Accessible Design for Blind and Low Vision Users

1. Use Semantic HTML

• Structure content with proper headings (<h1> to <h6>)
• Use <button>, <nav>, and <main> instead of non-semantic containers
• Label all form elements with associated <label> tags

2. Provide Descriptive Alt Text

• Describe the function of an image, not just the appearance
• Avoid vague labels like "image123" or “logo”

3. Ensure Keyboard Navigation

• Test all features using only the keyboard
• Include visible focus indicators and skip links

4. Don’t Rely on Color Alone

• Use patterns, labels, or icons alongside colors to convey meaning
• Provide sufficient color contrast between foreground and background elements

5. Enable Screen Reader Compatibility

• Use ARIA roles where necessary, but don’t overuse
• Test your site with actual screen readers

Real-World Example: LinkedIn’s Accessibility Initiative

LinkedIn improved its accessibility by:

• Making profile editing fully keyboard-navigable
• Labeling all buttons and dropdowns for screen readers
• Adding ARIA live regions for dynamic content

As a result, user engagement among visually impaired members increased, and the platform earned recognition from digital accessibility advocates.

Tools to Evaluate Accessibility for Vision-Impaired Users

Pro Tip: Test with Real Users
Automated tools can’t catch everything. Conduct usability testing with blind or visually impaired users to uncover barriers that algorithms miss.

Legal Compliance: Why Accessibility Isn’t Optional

In many regions, digital accessibility is a legal requirement:

• ADA (U.S.): Sites must be accessible under Title III
• AODA (Ontario): Requires WCAG 2.0 AA compliance for businesses with 50+ employees
• Accessible Canada Act: Mandates digital accessibility for federal entities
• EN 301 549 (EU): European standard for ICT accessibility

Failure to comply can lead to lawsuits, penalties, and reputational damage — but more importantly, it alienates users who deserve equal access.

Conclusion:

Accessibility is about more than compliance, it’s about dignity, usability, and creating digital spaces that welcome everyone, regardless of their abilities.

Designing for the blind and visually impaired is not just good UX, it’s the right thing to do. Start with the basics, involve users in testing, and commit to ongoing improvement.