Intelligence Community Design System

Visual impairments can affect people to different degrees, including:

Some people will use a screen magnifier, screen reader and/or Braille display to use technology. Some people may also require travel, mobility and navigational assistance.

Nearly 2 million people in the UK are blind or partially sighted. Only one-third of people registered blind or partially sighted are in paid work. Read more about vision loss on the NHS website .

Over one-third (44%) of blind or partially sighted people also have depression, making it the most common secondary condition for those with sight loss. Read more about vision depression rates rising among people with sight loss .

The following table lists examples of visual impairments in three columns (permanent, temporary and situational).

In addressing some of the design tips below, we make it easier for everyone to use our apps.

Use the typographic scale with the font ‘Open Sans’ to create readable content.

Use a colour contrast of at least 4.5:1. Use a colour contrast checker to check.

Use semantic headings and HTML tags to structure the app. Using correct HTML will allow assistive technologies to read an overview of the page when landmarks, regions and headings are implemented appropriately.

Make sure that all elements have correct labels and providealt (or alternative) text when necessary. Good labelling helps all users, such as during issues with downloading parts of the web page.

A linear and logical layout can help users when navigating using a keyboard or when using assistive technologies.

Don’t rely on colour only to convey a meaning. Use a combination of labels, icons and shapes to help people identify elements. Using colour alone can affect those with colour-blindness who will not understand the colours' meaning without any context.