Accessibility
Definition in my words:
Designing in a way that the product/artefact can be used by all without a need for modification.
(This includes product’s usability among people with limited sensory abilities, limited physical abilities, people with limited or no experience of having used the product or people who make mistakes while using the product.)
Example from Universal Principles of Design (my source):
Position of buttons in an elevator for wheelchair access
Image source: http://michelleli.ca/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/jp_elevator.jpg
Example from an online source:
Sidewalk markings for the visually impaired
Image Source: https://www.slideshare.net/UXAndrew/universal-design-26013302
Example from everyday life:
Bus stop sign in braille, for the visually impaired.
Hey Serena, thanks for the detailed response and the relevant questions. You make some very important points about expanding the scope of this post to cover the entire spectrum of accessibility. Do you also want to share some examples? That would help me a lot.
Saurabh,
I did mention a few: Predictive text for cognitive disabilities, closed captioning, and text-to-speech software.
I loved that you listed a variety of users accommodated by accessible design, since UPD emphasizes that it benefits everyone, not just people with disabilities. Which of UPD’s characteristics (perceptibility, operability, simplicity, and forgiveness) do each of your image examples illustrate?
You mentioned sensory and physical disabilities, but what about users with cognitive disabilities? It’s good to keep in mind that disability isn’t only limited to the first two types. One example of accessible design intended for people with cognitive disabilities is predictive text, because it reduces cognitive load for someone who might struggle with spelling or typing.
I would have liked to see more diverse examples of accessible design, especially objects or systems that benefit a wide range of users, not only users with disabilities. For instance, closed captioning is used for many reasons– by people who are deaf or hard of hearing, of course, but also by people who can’t watch with the volume on (at work or in a public space), and for learners of foreign languages, to name a few. Similarly, text-to-speech software is a key component of many accessibility tools, but also appears in apps that most of us use, including Siri and other virtual assistants. I felt that our textbook’s main point was that accessible design is design for all, so I was hoping to see more examples beyond the traditional ones like braille and textured curb cuts.