Summary
Designing with rigid assumptions often means creating for a narrow set of “typical” users—people who look and think like us. But this mindset risks excluding real, diverse needs, especially those of people with disabilities, one of the fastest-growing population segments. In this talk, you’ll explore the hidden costs of designing systems for templated personas and learn why flexible, inclusive approaches are essential.
Key Insights
-
•
The average user does not exist; designers should create for a spectrum of real users.
-
•
Disability encompasses permanent, temporary, and situational conditions.
-
•
Failing to consider disability limits market reach, as people with disabilities represent a significant and growing demographic.
-
•
As populations age, more individuals will experience disabilities and have diverse needs in product design.
-
•
Inclusivity in design means involving people with disabilities as integral to the design process, not just as focus group participants.
-
•
Accessibility leads to better overall user experience for everyone, as most design features can benefit a wider audience.
-
•
Designers often limit their perspective, automatically designing for themselves rather than the broad user base.
-
•
Understanding disability as a spectrum can help break down misconceptions and stigmas around accessibility.
-
•
Engaging with people who have diverse needs helps identify barriers that may not be apparent to those without such experiences.
-
•
Advocacy for people with disabilities requires sharing experiences and challenges within society.
Notable Quotes
"We often miss the reality that people with disabilities are not one in a thousand, but one in five."
"Designing for the average user ignores the reality that no one is actually average."
"We must start thinking about accessibility as everyone's responsibility, not just for designers and developers."
"Failing to design for disability means designing for a future where you or someone you love may become disabled."
"Disability is not a binary; it's a spectrum and everyone experiences varying degrees of ability."
"Captions were thought to be an assistive technology for a tiny subset, but they're now widely used by all."
"The best services in times of need are the ones designed for those who already understand diverse needs."
"When we exclude people with disabilities, we exclude a growing market of users who want to engage with our products."
"If we design with the idea that all users will experience disability at some point, we create services that last."
"Our experiences, even as individuals with disabilities, are valuable and essential for good design."
More Videos
"Navigating the organization takes time and effort; understanding stakeholder dynamics is crucial."
Julie Gitlin Esther RaiceDesign as an Agent of Digital Transformation at JPMC
June 9, 2021
"Trauma is a loaded word, with psychological experiences that are subjective and unique to each individual's perception."
Rachael Dietkus, LCSW Uday Gajendar Dr. Dawn Emerick Dawn E. Shedrick, LCSWLeading through the long tail of trauma
July 13, 2022
"We try to avoid books that focus solely on specific tools; they tend to have shorter lifespans."
Louis RosenfeldCoffee with Lou: Should You Write a (UX) Book?
March 7, 2024
"We should be good design-minded practitioners as well in simultaneously thinking about where we can start."
Sarah GallimoreInspire Progress with Artifacts from the Future
November 18, 2022
"There's no universal new pattern for designing with code right now."
John DonmoyerShipping your code generation experiments to production
June 11, 2025
"We're gonna close out the day with Silka Bcha, ALA Weinberg and Zaria Cameron discussing bettering ourselves."
Bria AlexanderTheme 1 Intro
September 23, 2024
"When the executives start getting involved, that's when you know your UX is critical."
JJ KercherA Roadmap for Maturing Design in the Enterprise
June 15, 2018
"We need each other and we need each other's support"
Bria AlexanderTheme Two Intro
September 8, 2022
"Using handwriting as an interface minimizes distractions from AI augmentations."
Lukas Moro“Feels Like Paper!”: Interfacing AI through Paper
June 11, 2025
