Sam Proulx

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

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

" Involving people with disabilities from the start reveals impact and usability issues that automated testing simply cannot catch. "

" Testing with real users humanizes the problems and reveals simple fixes like changing one label or color. "

" We often say don’t make me think. When that’s not possible, reuse and recycle those learnings. "

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

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

" VoiceOver’s screen curtain is designed to protect privacy because we don’t always know who’s looking over our shoulder. "

" Blockchain apps aren’t located in one country or jurisdiction, making legal enforcement of accessibility laws difficult. "

" Live captions on mobile can caption not only audio on the device but sounds and speech in the real world around you. "

" Accessibility requires flexible designs, not limited or simplified designs. "

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

" When you design for the edges, you get the middle for free. "

" Mobile provides more detailed analytics that help developers iterate accessibility improvements. "

" When we solve accessibility challenges, everyone benefits, not just people with disabilities. "

" Mobile screens have forced designers to create simplified interfaces without reducing features. "

" Bringing people with disabilities into ideation and prototyping helps build accessibility by design and eliminates costly retrofits. "

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

" The tools on mobile are free and built-in, unlike desktop where accessibility tools often require licenses and procurement. "

" If you centralize accessibility knowledge in your organization, it can become a blocker. "

" 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. "

" The System Usability Scale’s question about needing a technical person to use the system is confusing and inaccurate for screen reader users. "

" Webflow is an ideal tool for prototypes with code because users can test in the actual browser environment. "

" Most of the work on accessible prototyping for screen readers is still in early or mid research stages but is improving rapidly. "

" Landmarks are like physical landmarks but for web pages, marking content roles for screen reader users. "

" Every piece of assistive technology is highly customized for the individual, so labs often fail to replicate users’ ideal setups. "

" 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. "

" Screen readers let us jump directly to content, replicating visual skimming of a web page. "