Summary
Online shopping was first premiered in the 1980s, as a way for people who couldn’t shop in-person to easily make purchases. But how far we’ve come! In this talk, Fable’s Accessibility Evangelist Sam Proulx will walk you through some of the key factors to create an online shopping experience that is accessible to everyone. From his perspective as a full time screen reader user, and drawing on Fable’s thousands of hours working with people with disabilities, Sam will highlight how consistency, convenience, confidence, and customizability enable a smooth experience for all users, disabled or not. Let’s bring online shopping back to its accessibility roots!
Key Insights
-
•
Accessibility is beneficial for all users, not just those with disabilities.
-
•
Consistency in online experiences reduces cognitive load and improves user retention.
-
•
Convenience features like autofill enhance user experience for everyone, especially those with physical disabilities.
-
•
Confidence in using online products influences purchasing behavior; unclear controls can lead to frustration and abandonment.
-
•
Customizability in design allows for better user experiences across diverse needs and preferences.
-
•
Involving people with disabilities in the design process leads to more effective accessibility solutions.
-
•
Automated tests for accessibility insights are limited; real user feedback is essential for meaningful improvements.
-
•
Checkout experiences that are accessible can lead to brand loyalty and repeat customers.
-
•
Accessibility should be considered throughout the entire product lifecycle, not just as a final audit.
-
•
Designing for marginalized groups can create better experiences for all users.
Notable Quotes
"The Four Keys to designing an accessible experience are consistency, convenience, confidence, and customizability."
"Accessible experiences are better experiences for everyone, whether you are a person with a disability or not."
"When you design for the edges, you get the people in the middle for free."
"Consistency allows assistive technology users to develop muscle memory while navigating websites."
"Convenience features streamline tasks for all users, not just those with disabilities."
"A lack of confidence can lead assistive technology users to give up and seek alternatives."
"Customization is key, as no two users with disabilities will have the same needs or preferences."
"Involving people with disabilities in the design process is crucial to building effective accessibility solutions."
"Accessibility is an ongoing conversation and should never be an afterthought."
"Measurable improvement in accessibility comes from engaging actual users during all phases of design."
More Videos
"What if part of our job was to remove the friction in the environment?"
Jacqui FreyFlow and Superfluidity for Design Orgs
November 7, 2018
"Every time we communicate, we are indeed sharing a basic need for human connection."
Laura Gatewood Laine ProkayBeyond Buzzwords: Adding Heart to Effective Slack Communication
September 23, 2024
"Insights are unexpected discoveries about how things work and how to make them work better."
Johanna KollmannInsights-Driven Product Strategy: Get your Research to Count
December 6, 2022
"This conference could not happen without our sponsors."
Bria AlexanderDay 3 Welcome
September 25, 2024
"If you have really good ideation techniques built into your design process, you can save a lot of time later on and a lot of headaches."
Billy CarlsonIdeation tips for Product Managers
December 6, 2022
"Don’t underestimate the power of storytelling in conveying users’ needs to stakeholders."
Catherine DubutBridging Physical and Digital Spaces: Approaches to Retail Service Design
March 18, 2021
"Peer recognition programs like shout-out Thursdays are low-effort yet high-impact."
Kim Holt Emma Wylds Pearl Koppenhaver Maisee XiongA Salesforce Panel Discussion on Values-Driven DesignOps
September 8, 2022
"What's the last bad experience you had with another discipline?"
Adrian HowardSturgeon’s Biases
September 25, 2024
"I've learned to ask, to be invited to key stakeholder meetings."
Asia HoePartnering with Product: A Journey from Junior to Senior Design
November 29, 2023
