Summary
In this interactive session, Sam Proulx, accessibility evangelist at Fable, will draw from experience as a person with a disability, and from Fable’s thousands of hours of research experience, to answer all of your questions about conducting prototype reviews with people with disabilities. What design systems work best? What disabilities can participate in prototype reviews out of the box, and what types of disabilities might need special adaptations? What information should a prototype contain, to get the best feedback and engagement from people with disabilities? How can you, within the public sector, learn to better shift left, and involve people with disabilities as early as possible in the design process, and why should you? We’ll also have plenty of time for your own questions! If you’ve been wanting to conduct prototype reviews that involve people with disabilities, but weren’t quite sure where to begin, don’t miss this session!
Key Insights
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Involve people with disabilities throughout the entire design process for true accessibility.
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Start prototype testing with screen magnification users before expanding to users with physical disabilities and screen readers.
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Ensure high contrast and clear visuals for low vision users and screen magnifiers.
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Label controls appropriately to assist voice control users and ensure clear navigation paths for them.
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Consider the layout impact of white space, particularly for users with physical disabilities who may struggle with scrolling.
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Adapt prototypes to include semantic representation for screen reader accessibility.
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Conduct research to understand how assistive technologies function on different platforms.
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Fixing accessibility issues for one user group often rectifies issues for others.
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Iterative testing with diverse users leads to better overall usability.
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Prototyping tools should be chosen based on their capacity to engage users with disabilities effectively.
Notable Quotes
"Accessibility isn't just a checkbox; it should be a foundation of your design process."
"Involving voices of people with disabilities ensures that you're designing with empathy and understanding."
"The experience of one user can inform and improve the experience of another, so expand your circle of users."
"Prototypes need to reflect the user's experience; if it's just a visual representation, it won't serve everyone."
"Consider how assistive technology interacts with your design rather than just the aesthetics."
"When you're testing, don't just rely on one type of user; diversity is key in feedback."
"It's not just about including people with disabilities—it's about adapting your approach to meet their needs."
"A lack of accessibility in essential services can lead to significant barriers for individuals with disabilities."
"Creating an accessible prototype doesn't need to be complex, but it requires a conscious effort."
"Ask questions, engage with your users, and you'll find answers to improve your design."
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