Sam Proulx

" Regulations are design problems, not just technical ones, influencing how we create products and experiences. "

" Customizability is about meeting people where they are, whether that’s on mobile, desktop, voice interaction, or different communication channels. "

" Sometimes accessibility isn’t perfect, but consistency lets me shop on Amazon in my sleep because of muscle memory. "

" Using assistive technology is a skill and muscle memory built over years. "

" I’ve nearly bought products in my sleep because I memorized the key presses from consistent checkout flows. "

" The little sounds that VoiceOver makes are like bird song; you only notice them when they're gone. "

" Consistency reduces cognitive load not just for screen reader users but for people with ADHD and other cognitive challenges. "

" Typing on a mobile screen reader requires exploring the keyboard and double tapping keys, which can be cumbersome. "

" Accessibility used to be considered an inspiring hack, something available only to the lucky few. "

" Mobile app crashes give more detailed feedback and user metrics than desktop browser crashes. "

" Accessibility is a process, not a project. "

" Artificial intelligence promises new independence for people with disabilities but raises questions of bias and privacy. "

" Everyone already uses accessibility features whether you have a disability or not. "

" A smaller screen means fewer distractions, making it easier for people with cognitive challenges. "

" Nothing about us without us. "

" There’s just far fewer variables to deal with on mobile because it’s basically one browser and one screen reader per platform. "

" If we are designing experiences that don’t work for everyone today, we’re designing experiences that in a couple of years will exclude ourselves. "

" We are beginning to see cycles of history repeat themselves in accessibility, especially in gaming and AR/VR. "

" Having an assistant when presenting can remove distractions and let you focus on delivering your message. "

" Accessibility is not a shackle; it’s a way to expand our minds and innovate. "

" Errors in form fields should alert users immediately but also allow them to explore details at their own pace to avoid cognitive overload. "

" Alternative navigation users pick different tools based on the task and how they feel at that moment, not just one technology. "

" Fixing problems found for one disability group often helps fix problems for others too. "

" Consistency between control labels and prototype instructions matters a lot, because mismatches can cause big problems for alternative navigation. "

" Screen reader users don’t listen to a web page like a podcast, it’s a very forward-leaning interactive experience. "

" What screen readers allow us to do is to jump directly to bits of content that we are interested in to replicate the visual experience of skimming a web page. "

" Desktop screen readers can run at speeds up to 800 words per minute because users get used to synthetic speech. "

" Traditional usability labs often force assistive tech users to use unfamiliar setups, creating barriers. "