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
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Consistency in design aids users with disabilities by allowing muscle memory in navigation.
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Convenience features, such as multiple payment options and autofill, significantly enhance the shopping experience.
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Confidence is critical when making purchases online; unclear controls lead to abandonment of carts.
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Customizability in checkout processes accommodates diverse user needs, ensuring inclusivity in shopping.
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Involving users with disabilities in testing and research is essential for crafting an effective experience.
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Accessibility directly correlates to customer loyalty and return on investment for businesses.
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Timers and strict interactions can increase stress for users with disabilities; alternatives should be considered.
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The importance of accessible customer support channels for individuals with communication challenges.
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Tools like the Accessible Usability Scale (AUS) can help organizations measure their accessibility efforts.
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Education on accessibility issues is crucial for designers, developers, and all stakeholders in the product lifecycle.
Notable Quotes
"Creating an accessible online shopping experience benefits everyone, not just users of assistive technologies."
"Consistency drives the success of many major brands among people with accessibility needs."
"If a website accepts multiple payment providers, it opens the door for more users to complete their transactions successfully."
"Preventing strict timers in interactions reduces stress and leads to higher completion rates in checkout processes."
"When users are unsure about a control, they are likely to abandon their cart and go elsewhere."
"Fable helps create true and lasting accessibility in online experiences by centering the voices of people with disabilities."
"Accessibility isn’t just the right thing to do; it has real return on investment for businesses."
"The journey of accessibility is ongoing; it’s a conversation that needs to continue."
"Involving people with disabilities in your testing processes is the only way to assess the true impact of your changes."
"Accessibility is a shared responsibility across all roles within an organization."
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