Optimizing Accessibility for Visual Impairment

[KimberlyMcGee]

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), at least 2.2 billion people have a visual impairment, ranging from mild vision loss to difficulties perceiving details, light, or movement[1]. However, accessibility isn’t just for people with permanent impairments. Inclusive design also benefits anyone dealing with everyday barriers, which can be situational or temporary impairments, like screen glare in the sun, eye strain after a long day, or simply forgetting their glasses.

A woman with a visual impairment smiles while holding a smartphone close to her face. Text reads: "2.2 Billion+ people worldwide have a visual impairment (WHO). SAP designs for those with vision impairments. Check out our tips for color contrast, text resizing and more!"

Design for Accessibility is Design for Everyone

When we design with accessibility in mind, we’re not just checking a box, we’re creating digital experiences that are easier to use for everyone. Making information more perceivable and tasks more achievable doesn’t just help some users; it makes products better across the board.

5 tips to Optimize Accessibility for Those with Visual Impairments

Designing with empathy starts with understanding the broad spectrum of visual ability—from permanent impairments to situational challenges. To help you translate this understanding into tangible action, SAP’s Accessibility Design Tools and the Inclusive Research Handbook offer a firm foundation. With these resources in mind, here are five tips to get you started:

1. Scalable text and components

• Support scalable text and UI components without breaking layouts.
• Ensure resizing is smooth without content overlap or truncation.
• Why? When text or interface elements are too small or cannot be adjusted, users with visual impairments may have difficulty reading and using them effectively.

2. Color schemes

• Use high-contrast color schemes and ensure sufficient contrast ratios for text and key UI elements.
• Avoid relying on color alone to convey information.
• Why? Low contrast can reduce the ability for users to distinguish interface elements and text.
  

3. Well-structured layouts

• Design clean, well-structured layouts that adapt smoothly to smaller or magnified viewports, minimizing horizontal scrolling, and preserving hierarchy.
• Why? Wide or cluttered layouts can overwhelm people with reduced visual fields or magnified views or those using magnification.
  

4. Testing

• Test designs at various zoom levels to ensure readability and functionality remain intact.
• Why? Users who rely on zooming or magnification tools may encounter distorted or broken interfaces if designs are not flexible and well-structured.
  

5. Spacing

• Allow line height, letter spacing, and word spacing to adjust without cutting off text or breaking layouts.
• Ensure readability when users apply custom spacing settings.
• Why? Fixed text spacing can make it difficult for users with cognitive disabilities such as dyslexia to read text effectively.
  

How SAP Designs with Accessibility in Mind

Technology keeps changing, but our commitment to accessibility remains constant. We're focused on making sure innovation moves forward without leaving anyone behind. To achieve that goal, we are actively innovating how accessibility considerations can be integrated in all parts of the Product Development Lifecycle, especially in early phases like design.

Want to dig deeper? Explore SAP's existing Accessibility Design Tools and stay tuned for more!

References:

1. World Health Organization, 2023: Fact Sheet on Blindness and Vision Impairment