Print: Section 6.7

Test Your Site with Users with Limited Literacy Skills

6.7 Use multiple strategies to make sure participants understand what you want them to do.

During introductions, make it clear to users that they can reread the task at any time if they’re confused or if they’ve forgotten what to do. 

During sessions, have the moderator read tasks out loud and provide them in writing (only 1 task per sheet). This will remind users of the task you are asking them to accomplish. Also have the moderator repeat the task during the session.80

Try this

When testing with limited-literacy users, consider offering short breaks.3

Keep in mind that participants with limited literacy skills tend to focus on the specific task—sometimes to a fault. During sessions, remind users that you’re less interested in the answer and more interested in where and how they would try to find the answer.