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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Accessibility considerations are often overlooked in online shopping design.
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Consistency in the user experience aids users with disabilities and builds brand loyalty.
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Convenience features like browser autofill enhance the shopping experience for everyone, not just those with disabilities.
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Building confidence in the checkout process is critical to encouraging purchases, especially for users with disabilities.
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Customizability allows users to engage with the checkout process in a manner that suits their needs, enhancing accessibility.
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Involving users with disabilities in the design process is essential for ensuring an inclusive experience.
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Accessibility improves the overall user experience for all customers, regardless of disability status.
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Automatically saved user inputs and friendly session timeouts can prevent frustration and cart abandonment in online shopping.
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Training staff on accessibility features is crucial for in-person service environments.
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Companies must treat accessibility as an ongoing journey rather than a one-time project.
Notable Quotes
"Accessibility is becoming more and more important across industries, especially when designing for customers to buy."
"Consistency is important for customers who use assistive technology."
"When you design accessible experiences, you make things better for everyone."
"I've sorted out my workaround because the major accessibility flaws are consistent."
"If I know what experience I'm going to have at a website, I'm willing to pay a little more."
"The more options you can offer, the more accessible you will be."
"Making autofill work and saving information are crucial for user convenience."
"Confidence is key when asking consumers to give their money for a product or service."
"Involvement of people with disabilities in your testing can significantly improve your product."
"Accessibility is a conversation and a journey."
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