Guides & Articles

Understanding Case Conventions Beyond Programming

While camelCase, snake_case, and kebab-case are most commonly associated with programming, these naming conventions also influence how users perceive and interact with digital content. For instance, kebab-case is the standard for URL slugs because it improves readability and SEO—search engines treat hyphens as word separators, unlike underscores. In contrast, camelCase is often avoided in URLs and user-facing text due to reduced legibility at a glance. Understanding when to apply each style ensures consistency across your web properties and helps maintain a professional appearance. Additionally, many design systems and style guides (such as the GOV.UK Design System and Apple’s Human Interface Guidelines) explicitly recommend kebab-case for HTML IDs and CSS classes to align with web standards.

Alt Text Best Practices for Complex Images

Writing effective alt text goes beyond short descriptions for simple icons or photos. For complex images—such as infographics, charts, or diagrams—alt text should convey the core message or data insight, not just describe the visual. When an image contains dense information, consider using a short alt text (e.g., 'Bar chart showing quarterly sales growth') and providing a longer description in the page content or via a link to a caption or transcript. Screen readers will announce the alt text first; if it's too long or vague, users may miss key takeaways. Also avoid redundant phrases like 'image of' or 'picture of' since screen readers already announce the element type. Always ask: 'If this image didn’t exist, what information would be lost?' That’s what your alt text should capture.

Writing Accessible Content for Neurodiverse Audiences

Writing accessible content isn’t just about screen readers—it also supports users with dyslexia, ADHD, and other neurodiverse conditions. Use clear, direct language and avoid idioms, sarcasm, or overly complex sentence structures. Break content into short paragraphs (2–4 sentences max), use bullet points for lists, and apply bold or italics sparingly to highlight key terms rather than relying on colour alone. Line spacing of 1.5 and generous margins reduce visual crowding, which can improve reading speed and comprehension for many users. Additionally, avoid all-caps text, which can be difficult to parse; instead, use title case or sentence case for headings. These practices not only benefit neurodiverse readers but also improve overall readability for non-native speakers and users in distracting environments.