Log in or create a free Rosenverse account to watch this video.
Log in Create free account100s of community videos are available to free members. Conference talks are generally available to Gold members.
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
-
•
Accessibility research benefits from blending legal knowledge with technical skills like code assessment.
-
•
Starting accessibility research does not require experts; openness and collaboration are key.
-
•
Wizard of Oz testing with a human simulating a screen reader enables early accessibility feedback on prototypes.
-
•
Engaging community and employee resource groups provides authentic insights and support.
-
•
Focusing on assistive technologies used rather than medical diagnosis eases participant recruitment.
-
•
Building cross-functional accessibility communities helps sustain momentum and knowledge sharing.
-
•
Small early accessibility fixes save engineering time post-launch, improving ROI.
-
•
Temporary and situational disabilities expand the scope of who benefits from accessibility.
-
•
Showing examples of well-functioning assistive tech helps shift mindsets from pity to empowerment.
-
•
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."
Or choose a question:
More Videos
"Too many companies wait until they think they know the solution to a problem and then they engage design as if the only job of design is to make something look pretty."
Catt SmallMoving from Execution to Strategy as a Designer
December 6, 2022
"In a false start, design is perpetually fixing what development has done and is reactive, not proactive."
Sabrina Mach Nina WainwrightHow to Design Your Design Operating Model
September 29, 2021
"You can’t just take an entire online world offline, switch it around, and turn it back on; ecosystems must regrow organically."
This Game is Never Done: Design Leadership Techniques from the Video Game World
November 6, 2017
"There are still very few Chief Design Officer roles in government agencies."
Alison Rand Sarah BrooksScaling Impact with Service Design (Videoconference)
March 25, 2021
"You need to develop designers’ understanding of business language to prepare them for seats at the executive table."
Catherine CourageThe Enterprise UX Journey: Lessons From the Voyage & The Opportunity Ahead
May 13, 2015
"The intent is to iterate on this canvas until it helps people partner better, evangelize design, and scale design ops effectively."
Group Activity: Making Sense of DesignOps
November 7, 2017
"Cohort-based communities let people level up together instead of learning in isolation."
Wendy JohanssonAn Education on Design Education for Orgs
June 10, 2021
"The sponsor sessions are optional but offer incredibly high content and are not sales pitches."
Bria AlexanderOpening Remarks
March 29, 2023
"Some people prefer their beliefs to data even in academia, which may surprise you."
Mackenzie Cockram Sara Branco Cunha Ian FranklinIntegrating Qualitative and Quantitative Research from Discovery to Live
December 16, 2022