Sam Proulx

" We need to become data ethicists and curators, not just data vacuum cleaners, to prioritize quality data. "

" Convenience includes accepting multiple payment providers like Apple Pay or PayPal, which can mean the difference between completing and abandoning a purchase. "

" The four Cs—consistency, convenience, confidence, and customizability—are not just good for accessibility, they make a great experience for everyone. "

" VoiceOver gestures like swipe right move the focus through elements; double tap activates them. "

" When you design for the edges, you make things better, more fluid, more customizable for everyone. "

" Auto-complete absolutely is an accessibility feature because it helps reduce typing effort for screen reader users. "

" Browser autofill isn’t just convenience; it removes barriers to purchase for people with physical disabilities. "

" If you want to understand the actual experience, you need a native assistive technology user involved. "

" The first organization to solve accessibility for new modalities like AR/VR will gain a massive, lasting advantage. "

" Apple really premiered mobile accessibility in a very exciting way with the iPhone 3GS and VoiceOver. "

" Including people with disabilities from day one builds a strong accessible foundation. "

" Accessibility is no longer an unusual hack; it is the responsibility of all of us to create accessible products. "

" Accessibility is not a single project, it’s a journey that requires continuous iteration and improvement. "

" Mobile interaction with gestures and touch was revolutionary for accessibility. "

" I don’t remember a time when there wasn’t a computer in the house talking at me. "

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

" It is cheaper and better to do accessibility right the first time than to retrofit and fix later. "

" With Apple, I could pick up any phone and triple-click the home button and VoiceOver would come on. "

" Mobile can be moved and angled, allowing users to customize their experience in ways a desktop cannot. "

" I have never found a product that can’t be made accessible. "

" If something is only visible on hover, it either needs to be visible to screen readers at all times or have an alternative way to access it. "

" If you’re doing research with people with disabilities, consider using the Accessible Usability Scale to get more accurate insights. "

" For users with physical challenges, hover states can be very difficult, especially for eye, head tracking, or voice control users. "

" Hover is very difficult for users who use switch systems or head mice because they can only click or not click and have trouble holding steady to hover. "

" Most people listen to 250 words per minute; I often listen at 400 to 800 words per minute. "

" Alternative navigation includes things like switch systems, voice dictation, and head mice to replace standard keyboard and mouse. "

" What a screen reader user does is they don’t start at the top and tab through every single element; they navigate by headings and landmarks. "

" Assistive technology includes software and hardware that people with disabilities use to access computers. "