Rosenverse

Log in or create a free Rosenverse account to watch this video.

Log in Create free account

100s of community videos are available to free members. Conference talks are generally available to Gold members.

Getting started with accessibility research
Thursday, February 20, 2025 • Rosenfeld Community
Share the love for this talk
Getting started with accessibility research
Speakers: Elana Chapman , Li Wen Huang , Divyen Sanganee and Annabel Weiner
Link:

Summary

In partnership with Fable, watch this panel discussion aimed at UX researchers on how to get started with accessibility research. Featuring industry experts from Discover, LEGO, and Ally Financial, this session demystifies what accessibility research entails, and demonstrates how inclusive design isn’t possible without the participation of people with disabilities. Together, we identify the common barriers, strategies for modifying research methodologies for accessibility, and ways to gain internal buy-in for accessibility research within your organization. Moderator: Elana Chapman Panelists: Divyen Sanganee, Li Wen Huang, Annabel Weiner

Key Insights

  • Accessibility research enhances usability for all users, not just those with disabilities.

  • Engaging with community groups can provide invaluable insights and support for conducting accessibility research.

  • Flexibility in research methodologies, such as adapting existing approaches, is crucial for inclusivity.

  • Partnerships with users are essential for effective product design and improvement.

  • Addressing accessibility upfront can save time and resources in the later stages of product development.

  • Creating a culture of understanding rather than viewing individuals with disabilities as 'others' is key.

  • Accessibility should be a cross-functional effort, involving multiple stakeholders across the organization.

  • Educating team members on the social model of disability can shift mindsets towards more inclusive practices.

  • Gathering feedback early in the design process allows for more effective adaptations and improvements.

  • Having executive sponsorship can significantly enhance the visibility and importance of accessibility initiatives.

Notable Quotes

"I'm in the accessibility field, but I also have some certifications to show I know my stuff."

"You don't need to be an expert in accessibility before doing user research with people with disabilities."

"Trying something new is actually always an exciting thing."

"People with disabilities are very appreciative and they're willing to help us learn."

"Don't be afraid to dive in and learn from your mistakes as you go on."

"Where you're going is important for figuring out what stage you're at in terms of getting support for accessibility."

"For every hour a UX designer invests into accessibility pre-launch, they save up to four hours in engineering post-launch."

"If you're not doing anything about accessibility, you're discriminating against your future self."

"It's not like you have to completely recode the page; it's about making small changes."

"Participants with disabilities are just like us, and they want to use our products just as much."

More Videos

Samuel Proulx

"Complexity is not a barrier for accessibility; modern assistive tech is highly advanced."

Samuel Proulx

Invisible barriers: Why accessible service design can’t be an afterthought

December 3, 2024

Victor Udoewa

"It's wonderful to see such a burgeoning community of researchers willing to learn together."

Victor Udoewa

Theme One Intro

March 27, 2023

Gonzalo Goyanes

"It doesn't matter how big the company is; we can always start from a very simple context."

Gonzalo Goyanes

Design ROI: Cover a Little, Get a Lot

September 8, 2022

Alexandra Schmidt

"Harms often accrue at the societal level rather than to individuals."

Alexandra Schmidt

Why Ethics Can't Save Tech

November 18, 2022

Jose Coronado

"We have to understand what the language of recognition is in our teams."

Jose Coronado

From Zero to Hero

September 8, 2022

Pippa Lomas

"At BT, I'm responsible for onboarding new starters within the design team."

Pippa Lomas

Paving the Path for Neurodiversity in Design

October 4, 2023

Louis Rosenfeld

"It’s important to build enthusiasm around climate solutions to inspire action."

Louis Rosenfeld Matt Jones Olga Khroustaleva Michael Leggett Karol Munoz

Do you want to work on climate? (Climate UX Discussion Series)

November 15, 2023

Jeff Gothelf

"Highlighting productivity gaps can shed light on the counterproductive nature of under-resourcing design."

Jeff Gothelf

The Intersection of Lean and Design

January 10, 2019

Dave Gray

"We gotta sit through two hours a day of gray; the answer is no, you don't have to sit through two hours."

Dave Gray

Group Activity: Making Sense of DesignOps

November 7, 2017