In September 2024 we published the Department for Education (DfE) Accessibility and inclusive design manual. Feedback has been mostly positive, and our data showed people were using the content. But we wanted to understand more, so we did some research with users working in design, product and delivery roles.
We focused on 3 main things:
- could users easily find what they needed - especially in the ‘knowledge hub’ section
- did content meet user needs
- what did people think of the name ‘knowledge hub’
What we changed
We removed the ‘knowledge hub’ section and reorganised content
People liked the content and understood it was valuable, but the 'knowledge hub’ felt cluttered and hard to use. It was seen as a dumping ground.
We moved the content into parts of the manual that better fit the user journey – based on how people think and search for information.
Some examples of what we did:
- moved content about accessibility issues to an audits, issues, statements section
- the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) guidelines were moved to the standards section, where people expected to find them
- we also created a new tools and testing section
We improved the tools guidance to focus on people’s needs
Before, the tools section was just a list of tools and how to install them. But users wanted to know:
- what challenges people face
- why they should use certain tools
- which tools to use - and in what order
So we made the content clearer:
- we removed technical jargon, such as ‘bookmarklets’, and just called them ‘tools’
- we started with different disabilities and access needs, then explained which tools help and how to use them
- we added a table that links tools to specific challenges people face
We simplified the homepage
The old homepage was too busy - with lots of icons, images, and a long scroll. The top navigation was also unclear.
So we:
- removed unused content, images and icons
- simplified the content, and highlighted important tasks (get an audit, test your service, meet standards)
- moved the ‘How many people?’ tool further up the page
The updated manual went live on 21 July 2025. Although it was created for DfE teams, anyone designing or building accessible services and websites can use it.
We’d love feedback from anyone using the DfE accessibility and inclusive design manual. Each page includes a feedback option.
You can also read more about the project in our design history. If you’d like to discuss the project further, you can email the DfE DesignOps team at design.ops@education.gov.uk.
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