Interactive Tools and Calculators: The Decisions That Matter
Calculators, assessments and configurators published as content to help people make decisions.
Dana Whitfield
Why does it matter?
Tools answer questions articles cannot and attract links, but they need accuracy, maintenance and accessibility.
What are the numbers?
- Accuracy results must be based on defensible logic
- Assumptions should be visible to users
- Accessibility inputs and results need labels and announcements
- Maintenance rates and rules change over time
What should I do?
- Document the calculation logic
- Show assumptions alongside results
- Make forms and results accessible
- Review calculations when rules change
- Avoid collecting unnecessary personal data
What should I avoid?
Avoid:
- Black-box results
- Tools that require personal data to show anything
- Calculations nobody reviews
- Inaccessible custom controls
When should I get help?
Short answer Bring in help when tools give financial or legal estimates.
Where this comes from
- W3C Web Accessibility Initiative — Understanding SC 4.1.3 Status Messages
- Federal Trade Commission — Advertising FAQs: A guide for small business
The figures and practices above come from the sources listed.
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Where to go next
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