Accessibility constitutes the vital principle of product design, ensuring they are usable by all, irrespective of disabilities. Building accessible products requires the removal of obstacles and ensuring equitable access to information and functionalities for every individual.
Accessibility considerations cover a variety of factors, including visual and hearing impairments, motor limitations, cognitive disabilities, and more. For instance, the inclusion of keyboard shortcuts and alternative input methods can notably benefit users with motor impairments. Likewise, providing captions and transcripts enhances the experience for those with hearing impairments, and presenting clear and concise content assists users with cognitive disabilities.
By understanding and empathizing with the challenges encountered by users with disabilities, product designers are considerably better equipped to create designs and experiences that foster inclusivity, empowering all users to engage successfully with the product.
Assistive Technologies for Building Accessible Products
When creating accessible products, it is important that designers and developers become familiar with the various assistive technologies available. These technologies are tools and devices that assist individuals with disabilities in accessing and using different types of products, therefore depending upon the product being developed, designers should strive to ensure the appropriate levels of compatibility with tools such as the following:
Braille Displays
These tactile devices convert digital text into Braille, allowing users with visual impairments to read digital content through touch.
Screen Magnifiers
These tools enlarge on-screen content, benefiting users with low vision by making text, images, and interface elements more readable.
Alternative Input Devices
Inclusive designs accommodate a variety of input methods beyond traditional mouse and keyboard interactions, catering to users with limited mobility or dexterity. This can include technologies like eye-tracking devices, sip-and-puff switches, and specialized keyboard layouts.
Closed Captioning and Subtitles
For video content, providing accurate closed captions and subtitles benefits users with hearing impairments by making auditory information accessible through text.
Text-to-Speech (TTS) Software
TTS software converts written content into spoken words, aiding individuals who may have difficulty reading due to visual or cognitive impairments.
Speech-to-Text Software
Like voice recognition software, this technology transcribes spoken language into written text, assisting individuals who may have difficulty typing.
Assistive Listening Devices (ALDs)
ALDs amplify sound for users with hearing impairments, ensuring clear audio in various settings, such as public venues or classrooms.
Alternative Communication Devices
These devices enable individuals with severe speech or language impairments to communicate using symbols, pictures, or text-to-speech technology.
Alternative Formats
Providing content in various formats, such as large print, accessible PDFs, or electronic braille, ensures that users with different disabilities can access information effectively.
Color Contrast Enhancers
Tools that help users with low vision by enhancing color contrast, making it easier to distinguish between different elements on a screen or page.
Gesture and Motion Controls
These control methods are designed to cater to users with physical disabilities that may impact their ability to use traditional touch or keyboard inputs.
Smart Home Assistive Technologies
Devices like smart speakers and home automation systems can assist individuals with disabilities in controlling their environment using voice commands.
By understanding and incorporating compatibility with these, and other assistive technologies, where necessary designers can create products that are not only accessible but also provide a seamless and empowering experience for users with a wide range of disabilities.
Accessibility Standards
Additionally, adhering to accessibility standards and guidelines is another key consideration when designing products. For example, software and online products can apply well-developed standards such as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). This set of standards and guidelines provides a framework for creating accessible digital experiences. It’s highly recommended that all software product designers become familiar with the key WCAG principles, which include: perceivability, operability, understandability, and robustness.
There exists a variety of other standards, such as the ADAAG (Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines). While primarily addressing physical spaces, the ADAAG also includes provisions for telecommunications, including assistive listening systems, captioning, accessible public payphones, etc.
Additionally, while not a strict standard, the Universal Design Principles (UDPs) are a set of guidelines that encourage the creation of products and environments that are inherently accessible to as many people as possible without the need for adaptation or specialized design.
These standards, guidelines, and principles vary depending on the type of product or service and the geographical region. So designers, developers, and organizations need to research and adopt the relevant accessibility standards that apply to their specific context.
Accessibility Tools for Building Accessible Products
There are a wide variety of tools available that can be used in the development, production and testing of accessible digital interfaces. Some common tools include:
- Screen readers (e.g. NVDA, VoiceOver, JAWS) – Allow visually impaired users to interact with websites and apps through text-to-speech or braille feedback. Useful for manual testing.
- Color contrast checkers (e.g. WebAIM Contrast Checker, Accessibility Insights) – Check if text/background color combinations meet minimum contrast ratios for readability.
- HTML code validators (e.g. W3C Validator) – Check for valid, semantic HTML that follows web standards and best practices. Important for screen reader compatibility.
- Automated accessibility testing tools (e.g. aXe, WAVE, Accessibility Insights) – Scan web pages and identify common accessibility issues like missing alt text, low contrast, etc.
- Keyboard navigation testing – Test if all functionality can be accessed without a mouse.
- Screen magnifiers (e.g. ZoomText, MAGic) – Test resizing of elements and layouts for low vision users.
- Assistive technology emulators (e.g. ChromeVox, Voice Control) – Experience websites and apps from the perspective of a user with a disability.
- User testing with disabled users – Get direct feedback from users with different disabilities.
- WCAG compliance checkers – Evaluate compliance with accessibility standards like WCAG 2.1 AA.
- Color blind site simulators (e.g. NoCoffee) – Simulate different types of color blindness like protanopia.
Conclusion
Beyond the practical considerations, the philosophy of accessibility is rooted in empathy and social responsibility. Therefore, product designers who empathize with the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities can gain valuable insights that steer them toward creating products that can genuinely impact and enrich lives. This mindset promotes a more holistic approach to design, extending beyond physical usability to encompass emotional resonance and meaningful engagement.
Building accessible products requires embracing the complexity of accessibility, however this also opens doors to new creative possibilities for product designers. Instead of perceiving it as a constraint, designers should view it as an opportunity to push boundaries and devise innovative solutions that cater to diverse needs. This not only establishes a higher standard for user experience but also drives a virtuous cycle of positive impact.
