Accessible, inclusive, usable, universal
When it comes to web design, four words – accessible, inclusive, usable, universal – are used often and sometimes interchangeably. While each has a different meaning in the online context, each conveys they understanding that there is no such thing as an "average user."
The W3C, the international community that develops web standards, has a number of great resources on these topics, such as W3C Web Accessibility Initiative: Accessibility, Usability, and Inclusion.
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Universal design refers to the creation of products and environments to be aesthetic and usable, to the greatest extent possible, by everyone regardless of abilities/disabilities, age, experience, or status. Note that a disability describes a wide range of conditions that may permanent, temporary, and/or situational, visible or invisible. More on universal design...
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Usability refers to how easy your website is to use. This is an important concept to attend to along every step in a design process. There are many articles online about website usability and how to assess it and improve it. Ultimately, the best indicator of a website's usability is to test it with real users. Watching someone navigate through your site can quickly illuminate problems. Test early, test often, and test with as many users as possible.
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Inclusion in web design is a process that emphasizes universal design plus an understanding of diversity and the importance of involving community in shaping project outcomes. Learn more about inclusion initiatives at Queen's...
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Accessibility addresses deficits in web design that create barriers to users with differing abilities. More on accessibility...