Sam Proulx

" Being fluent in multiple data languages and understanding behavioral and attitudinal data will be essential. "

" Confidence is crucial — nobody wants to lose money or receive a product they can’t use, so unclear or unlabeled controls cause people with disabilities to give up faster. "

" A good two-factor system offers multiple methods, like authenticator apps, calls, and texts, with generous timeouts. "

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

" More ways to contact support—chat, email, phone—are essential because different disabilities require different options. "

" Simulation or personas can never replace testing with real users to build empathy and get accurate results. "

" Lack of confidence caused by unlabeled or difficult controls often leads assistive tech users to give up on purchases. "

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

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

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

" Diverse teams create diverse products because we each only understand our own needs. "

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

" If your company has customers with disabilities but no way to collect their feedback, you’re missing critical insights. "

" You might be thinking about accessibility backwards; start with mobile first, then extend to desktop. "

" The GUI transition meant assistive tech had to track cursor, mouse, and graphical objects, making it far more complex. "

" Every app built into my phone is perfect when it comes to accessibility – Apple and Android set a strong example. "

" Dark mode started off as an accessibility feature for visual challenges and eventually became mainstream because it’s so valuable for everyone. "

" I myself am a full-time screen reader user. I have been a screen reader user all my life, as I am completely blind. "

" For many users, mobile is their first choice because it offers less distraction and simplifies interactions. "

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

" When you press a button like an upvote, it’s the developer’s job to make sure the visual state is communicated via ARIA landmarks. "

" Screen reader users scored significantly lower in usability tests, reflecting the most effort in interpreting content. "

" Aim to work with at least one person on each platform your product supports, because assistive tech varies. "

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

" 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. "

" Screen readers have two modes: browse mode for navigating content and focus mode to interact with form fields or apps. "

" I am a technical person, yet I might still need someone who can see to help me use certain sites. "