Table of Contents
- Inclusive UX copy: Making your words accessible to all ✍️✍🏻✍🏼✍🏽✍🏾✍🏿
- But, why does it matter?
- 10 tips to write killer inclusive UX copy
- 1. Adjust your language
- 2. Descriptive link text
- 3. Prioritize accessibility
- 4. Craft clear error messages
- 5. Maintain consistent terminology
- 6. Leave biases behind
- 7. Emphasize clarity
- 8. Create scan-friendly content
- 9. Stay objective
- 10. Understand users' needs
- Final thoughts
Do not index
Do not index
Read time: under 4 minutes
Inclusive UX copy: Making your words accessible to all ✍️✍🏻✍🏼✍🏽✍🏾✍🏿
Inclusive design isn't just a fancy term; it's the heart and soul of UX/UI these days.
It's not all about pretty pictures; words matter too. UX writing isn't just about filling up space; it's about making your product work like a charm.
Imagine your go-to app with zero words – feels strange, right? But here's the real deal: It's not just about the words; it's about making sure everyone gets what they need from your text.
What does inclusive UX writing mean though?
Inclusive UX writing, as defined by CareerFoundry, is the practice of purposefully crafting content to foster a sense of inclusion and welcome, especially among individuals from underrepresented backgrounds.
Inclusive UX writing shines when it recognizes the myriad of human experiences, ensuring every user feels embraced and appreciated.
But, why does it matter?
Inclusive UX copywriting is an indispensable facet of designing digital experiences that are truly user-centric. Its importance lies in its ability to break down barriers and create a more inclusive digital world.
Firstly, it enhances accessibility by ensuring that users with disabilities, such as those reliant on screen readers, can seamlessly access and comprehend the content.
Secondly, it broadens the audience, reaching beyond language and age barriers to accommodate non-native speakers, older individuals, and those with cognitive differences.
However, it's crucial to emphasize that inclusive UX copywriting is not merely a technical exercise but a profoundly empathetic one.
Empathy, often regarded as the most important tool for writers, designers, teachers, and humans alike, plays a pivotal role.
Inclusive writing is a conduit for direct connection with our audience without excluding anyone. It's a practice that necessitates not only knowing but understanding our audience on such a deep level that we can anticipate their every need. This empathy not only empowers us as creators but also empowers our users, our products, and the overall user experience itself.
In a digital age where inclusivity and empathy matter more than ever, inclusive UX copywriting, driven by profound empathy, becomes a driving force behind more accessible, user-friendly, and truly empathetic interfaces.
10 tips to write killer inclusive UX copy
1. Adjust your language
Use clear, straightforward language, avoiding jargon, acronyms, and complex terminology. Short, simple sentences improve copy dynamics, ensuring everyone can understand regardless of age, sex, ethnicity, or education level.
2. Descriptive link text
Instead of generic "Click Here," use descriptive text conveying the link's purpose, benefiting users relying on screen readers.
3. Prioritize accessibility
Ensure products are accessible to users with impaired vision. Include alt-text or accessibility texts for images to provide context for those who can't see them.
4. Craft clear error messages
Create error messages that explain issues clearly and suggest solutions, reducing frustration for all users.
5. Maintain consistent terminology
Keep terminology and labels uniform throughout the interface to avoid confusion.
6. Leave biases behind
Recognize and mitigate personal biases, ensuring an objective and inclusive approach to content creation.
7. Emphasize clarity
Inclusive language must be crystal clear. Deeply understand your product and users' goals to achieve clarity and support their needs effectively.
8. Create scan-friendly content
Recognize that users often skim and scan. Format content for easy scanning, ensuring vital information is readily accessible.
9. Stay objective
Maintain objectivity in your writing to present information impartially and inclusively.
10. Understand users' needs
Address all user pain points by thoroughly understanding your audience. Inclusive UX copy should cater to the diverse needs of your user base, making empathy and research crucial aspects of your writing process.
Remember
Inclusive UX copywriting should be an ongoing process. Testing your copy with diverse user groups and gathering feedback is essential for continuous improvement. This iterative approach helps ensure that your copy remains inclusive as your design evolves.
Final thoughts
Inclusive UX copywriting isn't just a buzzword; it's a crucial aspect of creating user interfaces that cater to everyone.
By following the principles of inclusive design and adopting inclusive copywriting practices, you can make your digital products more accessible, user-friendly, and welcoming to a broad range of users.
Remember, inclusive design is not just about meeting legal requirements; it's about showing empathy and respect for your audience and making the digital world a more inclusive place. 💚
Whenever you're ready, there are 4 ways I can help you:
1. Junior Designer Bundle: Transition to UX with the ultimate handbook (120+ videos, 80+ templates, 75+ examples) to craft an unforgettable portfolio & get hired.
2. Senior Designer Bundle: Become a design leader with systems to help you build a meaningful career & grow your designers. Join 500+ aspiring leaders.
3. UX Portfolio Critique: Get a 20-minute video review of your portfolio. A checklist of actionable things to fix, in less than 48 hours. Get a personalised portfolio critique here.
4. Job Sprint Course: Get battle-proven frameworks and interactive workshops to: build a memorable personal brand, a killer strategy for job applications, and tactics to nail job interviews. Get hired in UX with Job Sprint.
