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Summary
In partnership with Fable, watch this panel discussion aimed at UX researchers on how to get started with accessibility research. Featuring industry experts from Discover, LEGO, and Ally Financial, this session demystifies what accessibility research entails, and demonstrates how inclusive design isn’t possible without the participation of people with disabilities. Together, we identify the common barriers, strategies for modifying research methodologies for accessibility, and ways to gain internal buy-in for accessibility research within your organization. Moderator: Elana Chapman Panelists: Divyen Sanganee, Li Wen Huang, Annabel Weiner
Key Insights
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Accessibility research benefits from blending legal knowledge with technical skills like code assessment.
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Starting accessibility research does not require experts; openness and collaboration are key.
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Wizard of Oz testing with a human simulating a screen reader enables early accessibility feedback on prototypes.
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Engaging community and employee resource groups provides authentic insights and support.
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Focusing on assistive technologies used rather than medical diagnosis eases participant recruitment.
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Building cross-functional accessibility communities helps sustain momentum and knowledge sharing.
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Small early accessibility fixes save engineering time post-launch, improving ROI.
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Temporary and situational disabilities expand the scope of who benefits from accessibility.
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Showing examples of well-functioning assistive tech helps shift mindsets from pity to empowerment.
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Understanding user needs to remove barriers is more effective than relying on empathy alone.
Notable Quotes
"People with disabilities are very appreciative and willing to help us learn because they understand we may not understand their challenges."
"Accessibility research is really just a part of usability research and doesn’t need to be treated very differently."
"Wizard of Oz testing involves having someone pretend to be the voice of a screen reader to get early feedback."
"Participants are really forgiving with Wizard of Oz method because they know you’re just trying to get feedback."
"The social model means we have the power to take away barriers; people with disabilities can be independent."
"If you’re not doing anything about accessibility, you’re discriminating against your future self."
"For every hour a UX designer invests in accessibility pre-launch, they save up to four hours in engineering post-launch."
"It’s less about the medical definition and more about the assistive technology someone uses."
"Don’t think about empathy so much as building an understanding for removing barriers."
"Small accessibility improvements often benefit everyone, not just people using assistive tech."
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