Summary
One of the strongest ways of making sure your customer experiences are accessible is to broaden the definition of accessibility for everyone at your organisation. Here are practical steps to make it happen, from visual and interaction design to content and code. Expose how some interpretations of a11y should be exceeded and practical steps to learn about accessibility as a topic. Real product stories relating to accessibility. Understand how design, content, and code work together to make accessible experiences that are better for all customers.
Key Insights
-
•
Compliance with accessibility standards is insufficient; we should exceed minimum legal requirements.
-
•
Accessibility is not just a legal obligation; it's about creating inclusive user experiences.
-
•
WCAG provides a framework for web accessibility, but many platforms do not fully comply with it, especially native apps.
-
•
Accessibility should account for diverse user scenarios, not just typical use cases.
-
•
Creating situational use cases can enhance understanding of users' challenges within their contexts.
-
•
Accessible design benefits a broader range of users, including those who are temporarily disabled or multitasking.
-
•
Engaging individuals with lived experiences can provide crucial insights for design improvements.
-
•
Accessibility needs to be integrated into every part of the design process, not just at the end.
-
•
A collaborative approach to accessibility involves cross-departmental efforts and education at all levels.
-
•
Regularly updating and educating teams on accessibility guidelines is necessary to keep pace with evolving standards.
Notable Quotes
"Compliance is not enough; we need to create experiences that are accessible for the greatest number of people."
"As designers, we should not just solve business problems but also consider the unique needs of our users."
"Situational use cases help us understand what additional factors impact a user's success in achieving their task."
"The ADA doesn't explicitly mention digital accessibility, but courts interpret it as applying to web resources."
"Accessibility guidelines should be an integral part of our design practices from the beginning."
"If you want to understand accessibility better, learn from people who have lived experiences with disabilities."
"Most companies only follow the minimum compliance standards, and that limits our potential to create accessible products."
"The reality of designing for accessibility means that products are used more often because they are flexible and adaptable."
"Accessible design should not be seen as a luxury but as a fundamental requirement for all users."
"Our goal should be to create a product that everyone can use, regardless of their circumstances."
More Videos
"Job security in design is high because the work is complex."
John MaedaMaking Sense of Enterprise UX
June 9, 2016
"We’re looking at them by their interior cognition, their inner thinking, their emotional reactions."
Indi YoungThinking styles: Mend hidden cracks in your market
January 8, 2025
"Data should be presented in ways that empower users to make immediate decisions."
Chris ChapoData Science and Design: A Tale of Two Tribes
May 13, 2015
"Time management in collaboration is more than just meeting deadlines."
Elizabeth ChurchillExploring Cadence: You, Your Team, and Your Enterprise
June 8, 2017
"We really encourage wherever you are because those are great connecting points."
Rusha SopariwalaRemote, Together: Craft and Collaboration Across Disciplines, Borders, Time Zones, and a Design Org of 170+
June 9, 2022
"The design industry is primed for a movement towards ethical practices and accountability."
George AyeThat Quiet Little Voice: When Design and Ethics Collide
November 16, 2022
"As leaders, we need to cultivate our own resilience so that we can nurture our teams."
Ariba JahanTeam Resiliency Through a Pandemic
January 8, 2024
"Design thinking is a set of behaviors, not just a toolbox of methods."
Julie Gitlin Esther RaiceDesign as an Agent of Digital Transformation at JPMC
June 9, 2021
"It’s important to be transparent so everyone knows what they can see about what they did."
Matteo GrattonCan Data and Ethics Live Together?
October 1, 2021
