Summary
As we shift into a mobile first world, are you struggling to conceptualize and design accessible mobile experiences? While screen readers are included on both IOS and Android, it can be difficult and overwhelming for designers to learn about them. This session will help you get started! Samuel Proulx, Fable’s accessibility evangelist and a life-long screen reader user, will guide you through the ins and outs of screen readers on mobile. This interactive live demo will show you what an excellent mobile experience can sound like, give you some ideas of things to keep in mind during design, and help you make the case for bringing the voices of assistive technology users into the training and testing at your organization.
Key Insights
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Mobile screen readers have transformed accessibility from a user's responsibility to a design and development priority.
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Engaging actual screen reader users is essential for effective testing and design improvements.
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Apple's VoiceOver and Android's TalkBack each offer unique advantages and customization levels for users.
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Understanding the user experience is critical in designing accessible products; simulation alone cannot replicate it.
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Familiarity with screen readers significantly enhances the user experience, affecting how accessible apps are perceived and used.
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Accessibility should be considered a continuous journey, ingrained in all phases of the product development life cycle.
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Understanding the needs of users with disabilities can lead to better products for everyone, not just those with accessibility needs.
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Empathy in design requires listening to and collaborating with actual users, rather than assuming their experiences.
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Training and resources should be readily available to teams to foster a culture of accessibility.
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Accessibility is not just a compliance issue, but a central tenet of effective design.
Notable Quotes
"Accessibility is a journey, not a one-time project."
"Screen readers aren't a one size fits all solution; everyone customizes their settings to fit their needs."
"Testing with real users is the only way to build empathy and create valid testing outcomes."
"Simulation can lead you to overestimate accessibility complexity and discourage genuine efforts to improve it."
"The vast majority of blind people learn screen readers through a hands-on, 'I do it, now you do it' method."
"You can't replace native users in your testing process; real experiences matter."
"Fable helps you create true and lasting accessibility through user insights at every development stage."
"Autocompletion is not only an aid but a critical accessibility feature."
"A good design anticipates user needs, knowing that not all users will be familiar with the interface."
"Accessibility must be integrated into all company processes, it's a culture change, not just a department's responsibility."
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