Written By: Laura Malvoyante
Some Helpful Background About Me

My name is Laura, a Franco-American content creator based in France. I have low vision (malvoyante) and ADOA, a rare genetically inherited disease. As my vision declined, I decided to take stock of what truly matters in life and what I wanted to dedicate my remaining vision and attention to. I left my job as a social media manager at a leading health tech company to pursue my dream of becoming a content creator.
I’m passionate about tech, but I also want to make conscious choices about how I use it, ensuring that it doesn’t take over my life. Feel free to follow my journey as I strive to live a more digitally minimalist life while still embracing my love for technology.
Finding Accessibility in a Minimalist Smartphone
Finding a digital minimalism device that is also accessible for someone with low vision can be a challenge. Most devices offer limited options for adjusting text size or display icons, making the user experience frustrating rather than intuitive.
When I first tried SLEKE., I didn’t expect it to be much different from other operating systems. However, the minimalist design of the home screen and app drawer made the device more accessible than I anticipated. With SLEKE.’s latest update, the phone has improved not only in design but also in accessibility.
A More Cohesive and Accessible UI
Previously, the home screen design lacked cohesion when text and icon sizes were increased. Now, the icons are more spaced out and easier to distinguish. The removal of text labels beneath icons, combined with a neumorphic design approach, enhances contrast and improves visual clarity. These changes make the device significantly more accessible for users with low vision.
Improved Performance for Accessibility Features
Beyond design improvements, the update has also boosted performance. The phone feels considerably faster, making accessibility features like screen magnification and screen readers run more smoothly. For users who rely on assistive technologies, these optimizations ensure a lag-free and responsive experience.
A Design That Works for Most Users
The monochromatic color scheme, paired with the neumorphic aesthetic, allows users with severe visual impairments or color blindness to navigate the interface without relying on specific color or text cues. Instead of depending on color differentiation, the SLEKE. phone uses clear contrasts and distinct icon shapes, making it more user-friendly for a wide range of visual needs.
Minimalism Without Sacrificing Accessibility
This update proves that a modern, sleek device can balance both aesthetics and accessibility without compromise. SLEKE. has made thoughtful improvements that truly enhance the experience for visually impaired users. By refining both the design and performance, the phone now offers a distraction-free, accessible, and smooth experience that aligns with the principles of digital minimalism.
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