Digital Accessibility for better User Experience: Why avoid all caps buttons

Avoiding all caps buttons is essential for the success of your site or app.

Accessibility for the disabled on the web is much more than a mere technical obligation. It is an ethical responsibility and an approach that aims to provide the best possible experience for all users, regardless of their abilities or limitations. For UX/UI Design professionals, Web Designers and Web Masters, understanding and applying accessibility principles is essential not only to avoid fines and penalties in some countries, but also to ensure inclusion and ease of use for your digital products.

The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) has established clear guidelines for accessibility on the web, with the famous WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines). In addition to being a benchmark in best practice, these guidelines are now backed by legal regulations in many countries, making accessibility a legal requirement for websites and apps. Ignoring these rules can result in substantial fines and, in some cases, even removal of access to your content for a large number of users.

However, accessibility goes far beyond avoiding penalties. It is about making the web a truly inclusive place. And a crucial aspect of accessibility is how screen readers, used by people with visual impairments, interact with digital content.

Screen readers are programs that translate visual information into audio, allowing blind or low vision users to access web content. These readers follow a logical structure of elements on the page, such as headings, paragraphs, and links, to provide an understandable and effective experience. However, excessive use of all-caps buttons can confuse these readers.

Screen readers often interpret capitalized text as acronyms or acronyms, leading to a spelled reading of words rather than their natural pronunciation. Additionally, the speed at which screen readers scroll through content can cause capitalized text to become a series of unintelligible letters, detracting from the user's understanding and experience.

Accessibility for the disabled goes far beyond "passing" tests by automated checkers.

It is important to note that while automatic accessibility raters may not catch this issue, it still directly affects usability. Accessibility should not be seen as a mere obligation to avoid penalties, but rather as a means of providing equality and ease of use for all users.

Therefore, when designing interfaces and developing digital products, avoid excessive use of capitalized buttons. Prioritize clarity, readability, and experience for all users, including those who rely on screen readers to navigate the web. By doing so, you not only avoid potential penalties, but also contribute to a more inclusive digital ecosystem where everyone has the opportunity to access information and interact without barriers. Accessibility is a commitment to equality and quality of experience for each user who visits your website or application.