How do you test your Information Architecture for accessibility and inclusivity?

1 Use accessibility guidelines and tools

One of the first steps you can take to test your IA for accessibility is to follow the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), which provide a set of standards and best practices for creating accessible web content. You can use various tools, such as web accessibility evaluation tools, screen readers, keyboard navigation, and color contrast checkers, to check how your IA meets the WCAG criteria and identify any issues or barriers for users with disabilities.

2 Conduct user research and testing

Another important step you can take to test your IA for inclusivity is to conduct user research and testing with a diverse and representative sample of your target audience. You can use different methods, such as surveys, interviews, card sorting, tree testing, and usability testing, to gather feedback and insights from users about how they perceive, understand, and interact with your IA. You can also use personas, scenarios, and user journeys to empathize with your users and design your IA around their needs, goals, and expectations.

3 Apply inclusive design principles and practices

Inclusive design is an approach to creating products and services that are accessible, usable, and enjoyable for everyone. To test and improve your IA, you should recognize diversity and uniqueness among users, involve them in the design process, provide multiple ways of interaction, ensure clarity and consistency, and provide feedback and support. Acknowledging that users have different needs, preferences, and experiences is key to successful inclusive design. Collaborating with users on co-designing, testing, and evaluating your IA is also important. Additionally, offering different options for accessing and using your IA, such as navigation modes, search features, and content formats is beneficial. Finally, using clear labels, headings, categories, links can help users understand and navigate your IA. Providing feedback and guidance can help them complete their tasks or resolve errors.

4 Review and iterate your IA

Testing your IA for accessibility and inclusivity is not a one-time activity, but an ongoing process that requires constant review and iteration. You should monitor and measure how your IA performs and meets your users' needs and expectations, using various metrics, such as usability, satisfaction, engagement, conversion, and retention. You should also keep up with the latest trends, technologies, and standards in web accessibility and inclusive design, and update your IA accordingly. By testing and improving your IA for accessibility and inclusivity, you can create a better user experience and a more successful website or app.

5 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?