Scotland’s People: Redesigning for Accessibility
The Scotland’s People website was redesigned to prioritise accessibility in line with the Government Digital Service (GDS) guidelines. The aim was to achieve compliance with version 2.2 AA of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), ensuring the website is accessible to users with a variety of disabilities and impairments. The redesign process involved multiple steps, including UX workshops, tree testing, user interviews, audits, Lighthouse reports, and competitor audits.
Challenges
Meeting Diverse Accessibility Needs: The website needed to serve users with a wide range of disabilities, including visual, auditory, speech and language, physical, cognitive, and neurological challenges. Adhering to GDS guidelines required a comprehensive approach to ensure the site was inclusive and accessible for all.
Achieving WCAG 2.2 AA Compliance: To meet the WCAG 2.2 AA standards, the redesign needed to follow specific best practices, making sure that all web content was accessible across various user journeys, from record searches to accessing articles and support services.
Approach
Adhering to GDS and WCAG Best Practices: The redesign process was guided by GDS and WCAG 2.2 AA standards, focusing on creating web content that is accessible to users with a broad spectrum of disabilities. These guidelines provided a clear framework to ensure an inclusive online experience.
Enhancing Usability and Accessibility: The website was restructured to include logically organized content that supports assistive technologies like screen readers. High-contrast design elements were integrated to improve visibility and usability, especially for users with visual impairments or limited fine motor skills using touch-screen devices.
UX Process
Accessible Content Organisation: Following GDS guidelines, the website was redesigned with a clear and logical structure to facilitate easy navigation and support for assistive technologies. This ensured that all content, from searching records to reading articles, was easily accessible to every user.
Tree Testing Process. Participants are asked to complete tasks, helping identify areas of confusion. This ensures the site’s structure is accessible and intuitive, even for users relying on screen readers.
UX Workshop. A UX workshop gathers stakeholders to collaborate on accessibility-focused solutions, using activities like journey mapping and persona creation. These sessions ensure accessibility is integrated from the start. By including users with disabilities, the team can design more inclusive experiences.
User Interviews. User interviews involve gathering insights from individuals, including those with disabilities, about their experience with the site. This provides direct feedback on pain points and interaction challenges. The findings guide design improvements, making the site more accessible and user-friendly.
Audit and content review. An audit reviews the website’s content and technical elements for compliance with WCAG 2.2 AA standards. It checks for accessibility barriers, such as poor navigation or improper use of alt text. This ensures the site meets accessibility requirements and functions smoothly for all users.
Outcome
Expanded Audience Reach: The redesigned website now caters to a broader and more diverse audience, enabling people from around the world to explore their Scottish heritage.
Improved Accessibility: By achieving WCAG 2.2 AA compliance and following GDS guidelines, Scotland’s People has made its content more accessible to users with various disabilities, ensuring a more inclusive experience.
Enhanced Usability and User Experience: The focus on logical content structure and high-contrast design has significantly improved the overall usability of the site, making it easier for all users to navigate and engage with the content.
By aligning with GDS guidelines and focusing on accessibility, the redesigned Scotland’s People website ensures that everyone, regardless of their abilities, can explore and connect with their Scottish heritage for generations to come.
