Accessibility in Healthcare Feedback Surveys

Accessibility is essential for feedback surveys that are truly inclusive, and provide all respondents with an equal chance to share their thoughts and experiences. 

Effective accessibility design removes barriers for those with disabilities, limited tech proficiency, or language needs. Prioritizing accessibility in survey design broadens your feedback pool and strengthens your organization’s commitment to addressing the needs of diverse respondents.

What does accessibility in feedback surveys mean?

Accessible survey design ensures that anyone can participate, regardless of physical, cognitive, sensory, or technological limitations. This means surveys must be easy to read, intuitive to navigate, compatible with screen readers, and available in formats and languages that meet patients’ varied needs. 

For healthcare feedback surveys, accessibility isn’t just a “nice to have” — it’s the prerequisite for gathering truly representative patient feedback that can drive meaningful improvements in care quality.

Accessibility in feedback survey design

Creating an accessible healthcare feedback survey requires thoughtful design choices that address diverse patient needs. The goal is to create a seamless experience for all participants, regardless of their abilities or circumstances, with surveys that are inclusive, user-friendly, and representative. 

This section outlines the most important dos and don’ts for survey design.

Use simple, clear language

Craft survey questions in straightforward, conversational language without medical jargon or complex terms. Accessible language reduces the risk of misunderstandings and improves readability for all patients, especially those with cognitive or reading difficulties.

Suggested read: How to Write a Patient Satisfaction Survey and Which Questions to Include

Provide alternative text for visual content

For any images, graphics, or icons, provide descriptive text to ensure users with visual impairments understand all elements. Keep text descriptions concise but informative, allowing screen readers to communicate the content effectively.

Offer multiple survey formats

Provide options for patients to complete the survey in different formats, such as online, on premises, or any other means applicable to your specific scenario. Offering alternatives accommodates a wider range of needs, including those without internet access.

Include language options

Language diversity in surveys avoids alienating non-native speakers. Offer translations in the most common languages spoken by your patient population, and consider local dialects or additional help options (such as cultural context explanations) if needed.

Use large, legible fonts and high in contrast

Choose readable fonts (like Arial or Verdana) with at least 12-14 point size and ensure there’s a high color contrast between the text and the background. These changes aid users with low vision, dyslexia, or other reading disabilities and make it easier for everyone to process information.

Test for screen reader compatibility

Screen readers are vital for patients with visual impairments. Regularly test survey content with various screen readers (e.g., JAWS, NVDA) to ensure all content is navigable and accurately conveyed.

Don’t use overly complex question formats

Avoid question types that require a lot of cognitive effort to answer, such as multi-part questions or those with extensive sub-options. Complex formats can be challenging for some patients, particularly those with cognitive disabilities or limited attention spans.

Don’t assume all patients can use digital surveys

If possible, avoid making digital surveys the only option. This excludes patients with limited access to technology, internet access issues, or lower levels of digital literacy. Always offer at least one alternative option — on-premise devices are a great choice, with your staff able to act as support.

Don’t rely on small clickable areas or fine motor precision

Small checkboxes, sliders, or buttons can be difficult for those with limited motor skills. Design surveys with large, easily clickable areas to improve usability for these patients and simplify navigation for all respondents.

Don’t overlook sensory considerations

Avoid flashing graphics, videos with autoplay, or excessive animations, as these can be overwhelming or inaccessible for individuals with sensory processing disorders or epilepsy. Aim for a clean, static design that minimizes potential sensory triggers.

Don’t use unnecessary visual or audio elements

Refrain from adding visual or audio components that don’t add essential information to the survey. Non-mandatory content can slow down users with screen readers or audio processing challenges and detracts from the simplicity of the survey experience.

The takeaway

Designing accessible surveys is more than an add-on; it’s a vital part of inclusive healthcare feedback. It creates a fairer feedback experience that better captures the voices of all individuals.

On top of improving data quality, accessibility strengthens patient trust and satisfaction, contributing to a healthcare environment that truly listens and responds to everyone.