Summary
As UX researchers, you already know that including people with disabilities in your research isn’t just about accessibility, it’s about unlocking innovation. But what does that look like in practice? And what happens when inclusive design is left out? In this session, Samuel Proulx, Accessibility Evangelist at Fable, will take you beyond theory and into the real-world impact of inclusive research. Through compelling examples, like how people with disabilities forever changed the way we read, or how a lack of inclusive input led to autocorrects embarrassing (and sometimes harmful) errors, you’ll see how accessibility-driven insights shape the products we use every day. Whether you’re refining your research methods or making the case for inclusive design in your organization, this session will equip you with actionable strategies to ensure your work leads to products that don’t just meet compliance, they change the game. Join us to learn how accessibility fuels innovation, and how you can be part of it.
Key Insights
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Accessibility is broader than the blind community; it includes a range of disabilities and aging populations.
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Many essential technologies have been driven forward by the needs of people with disabilities.
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Audiobooks originated from the need for accessible reading formats, showcasing the intersection of technology and disability.
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Autocorrect was developed in response to cognitive challenges, illustrating how assistive technology can benefit a wider audience.
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Touch screens were initially seen as impractical until redesigned with inclusive principles, leading to innovations like multi-finger gestures.
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Inclusion of disabled perspectives in research can transform technology to serve broader issues effectively.
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The quality of audiobook narration is subject to debate and raises important questions about representation and skill.
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Engagement with disabled communities is crucial for discovering real problems and effective solutions in accessibility.
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Collaborative research is key to fostering technological advancements that benefit all users.
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The current market for audiobooks is exponentially growing, emphasizing the demand for accessible formats.
Notable Quotes
"The mother of invention is necessity, originally said by William Horman in 1519."
"When we think about accessibility, we're thinking about a population that's much wider than what you might expect."
"Audiobooks are the largest market for books, growing at 26% per year."
"Autocorrect is assistive technology that can save your bacon for those who struggle with typing."
"Research with people with disabilities is about finding solutions with us, not for us."
"When you tap into the expertise that people with disabilities have developed over lifetimes of invention, reinvention, and adaptation, you will undoubtedly find problems that you can solve."
"The touch screen changed the way we define interfaces together forever."
"All innovations have come from the collaborative efforts of researchers and disabled users working hand in hand."
"If we as researchers just get involved, technology driven by disability can change the world for all of us."
"Audiobooks were first about printing books for the blind on phonograph records, highlighting the evolution of accessibility."
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