Avoid sensory-only instructions

Color-blind users can't see 'click the red button,' screen reader users can't perceive 'the menu on the right,' and deaf users miss audio cues—multi-modal instructions include everyone.

Quick Reference

• Don't use color alone to convey information (red=error)
• Add text labels to shape and location references
• Provide visual alternatives for audio cues
• Combine multiple cues so all users can understand

Check

Review instructions and verify they don't rely only on color ('click the red button'), shape ('the circular icon'), location ('the menu on the right'), or sound ('when you hear the beep'). Ensure text labels supplement visual cues.

Fix

Add text labels to visual instructions. Instead of 'click the green button', use 'click the Submit button (green)'. Combine multiple cues so users who cannot perceive one can still understand via another.