Accessible QR codes: never make the scan the only route

Treat QR as a convenience, not the only door

Scanning can be difficult for people with low vision, tremors, limited reach, cognitive impairments or older devices. Some visitors do not carry a smartphone or may not want to open a camera in that setting. Essential information should therefore have an equivalent alternative.

A short, memorable URL is useful on signs and printed material. Staff assistance, a printed menu or an accessible kiosk may be needed depending on the service. The alternative should lead to the same result, not a reduced experience.

Write instructions that explain the outcome

“Scan me” describes an action but not its benefit. Use wording such as “Scan to open the allergen menu” or “Scan to hear this audio guide”. This helps everyone decide whether the action is relevant and builds trust before the camera opens.

Place the instruction next to the code in readable text. Avoid relying only on colour to identify different codes, and do not rotate the instruction separately from the code.

Make placement physically usable

A code may be visually perfect but inaccessible behind a counter, close to the floor or high above a wheelchair user. Reflections can make it unreadable from one angle, and a narrow corridor may not provide enough distance for a large sign.

Test with different heights and reach ranges. Keep the area free from temporary objects and consider how queues, doors or parked vehicles affect access.

• ✓Provide a readable short URL.
• ✓State what the scan opens.
• ✓Use high contrast and adequate size.
• ✓Place within comfortable camera reach.
• ✓Test the landing page with keyboard and screen-reader tools.

The destination must also be accessible

A successful scan is not the end of the task. The opened page needs a meaningful title, sufficient contrast, scalable text, labelled controls and a logical reading order. Video should have captions when speech matters, and important images need useful alternative text.

Avoid pages that immediately cover the content with multiple pop-ups. On mobile, the primary action should be easy to find without zooming or horizontal scrolling.