At the A Web for Everyone: Accessibility as a Design Challenge webinar, hosted by O’Reilly Media and Rosenfeld Media, Whitney Quesenbery spoke about a new way of thinking about designing accessible user experiences: designing applications and websites in a way that everyone can use them.
Whitney discussed that while we focus on the technical challenge of meeting code accessibility requirements, government standards and laws (when will Section 508 Refresh be released?), it’s not a satisfactory way for how we design. She shared case studies as she described the 10 principles for designing accessible user experiences.
Check out Whitney’s slides, my key takeaways, and resources from the webinar.
Key Takeaways
The principles of a good user experience support accessibility.
Many of the products we use in our everyday lives have accessibility features, though we don’t always think of them in that manner.
Eyeglasses: improve your eyesight. Glasses have changed over time; they are now a fashion statement. Eyeglasses can reflect your personality. They’re no longer just a medical device.
Mail cart: designed when women became mail carriers. There was a worry that women couldn’t carry large bags of mail. The cart was designed so women could use it.
Android keyboard: text to speech output.
Kitchen tools: OXO kitchen tools were designed for people having issues holding small objects. They’re sold in the kitchen tools section, just like all the other kitchen gadgets.
Up until the late twentieth century, disability was described in medical terms. Disability is now defined as:
The outcome of the interaction between a person… and the environment and attitudinal barriers they may face
International Classification of Functioning (ICF),
World Health Organization
Principles for Accessible UX
- People first: designing for differences
The right technology will allow a person to do anything. Think about capabilities might affect interaction designs we create - Clear purpose: well-defined goals
Design apps and websites that are guided by a defined purpose and well-designed goals - Solid structure: built to standards
People feel confident using the design because it’s stable, robust and secure - Easy interaction: everything works
Allow the product to be used across all modes of interaction and operated across a broad range of devices. Some devices require people to add on features, which introduces many opportunities for failure for users and their interactions. - Helpful wayfinding: guides users
People can navigate a site, feature, or page following self-explanatory signposts. On a web page, use HTML5 and ARIA to identify areas of a page visually and in code. - Clean presentation: visual design supports meaning
People can perceive and understand elements in the design. Example: Target prescription bottles & labels - Plain language: creates a conversation
- Accessible media: supports all senses
Take time to create captions/transcripts and add appropriate ALT text (based on context). - Universal usability: creates delight
Create delight so people can focus on what they want to do since the product anticipates their needs.
Resources
- WAVE: A web accessibility evaluation tool from WebAIM, available as a web page and Firefox toolbar, allows you to check web page accessibility, and displays the page with icons indicating accessibility features and errors.
- iOS Accessibility Tips and Tricks: Accessibility tips for using VoiceOver, Guided Access, and AssistiveTouch on iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch
- NVDA: Free open-source screen reader for Windows
- Window-Eyes for Users of Microsoft Office: Announced last week, GW Micro has partnered with Microsoft to offer Microsoft Office customers the Window-Eyes screen reader at no cost
Did you attend the webinar? What changes do you plan to make in your design work to incorporate accessibility? Share your thoughts in the comments.
