Episode 18: Accessibility and Design

In this episode, the Team talks about accessibility and design. Guest host Lauren DeMarks talks about user experience (UX) design and the spectrum of use cases for ensuring equitable experiences regardless of temporary or long-term physical disabilities. 

Show Notes:

Overall, what does it mean to have accessible design? 

• Lauren, would you like to give us a definition or overview? 
• OVERVIEW Accessibility is the practice of making sure a product, environment or service can be used by everyone—however they encounter it.
  • Including those with blindness/low vision, speech impairments, hearing impairments, cognitive & learning disabilities, motor/dexterity issues—accessible solutions make it so that these folks can actually meaningfully use the designs we create. 
  • But accessible design is important in ALL elements and design disciplines. 
• Accessible design can also help people with various kinds of impairments (because you probably first think of permanent ones). 
  • Situational —walking in high heels, I’m at a loud concert. 
  • Temporary— my leg is broken, I have an ear infection and cannot hear. 
  • Permanent — I am paralyzed and cannot use my legs, I am blind. 
• Accessible designs help EVERYONE
  • Accessible design helps ALL people—even those without disabilities (taking 14 bags of groceries to my 7th floor apartment makes elevators look real nice). 

What’s the difference between Accessibility and usability? 

Usability issues generally affect all users, both users with and without disabilities. All users have difficulty using a website. Accessibility issues occur solely for people with disabilities when they have difficulty using or accessing a website without problems. 

• Accessible design makes spaces and designed products USABLE for EVERYONE, regardless of ability. 

Accessibility is important in ALL silos of design

• Digital
• Print
• Physical 
• Environmental
• Teaching
• Etc. 

Digital

• Mainly consider solutions that benefit low-sight or low-hearing users. 
• Cognitive impairments come into considerations too. 
• Alt. text. 
• Not just relying on color to communicate a message. 
• Allowing for customization (text size, color-blind settings, etc) (we also see this in video games). 
• Goes beyond just visual, and as a digital designer you need to have a tight partnership with your developers to make sure the code is accessible as well. 

Print design? 

• Oxo vegetable peeler maBuilt environments & environmental design. 
• Take mobility into account more than digital products. 
• What things are considered in this area of design? 
  • Routes, signage, etc…

 Curb cut - Physical products

• Design for folks with arthritis, but they’re just flat out more comfortable for everyone. 

Teaching

• Providing multiple ways (within reason) for students to demonstrate mastery. 

Host, Producer, & Editor - Mark Cela
Host, Director, & Script Writer - Kristen Pericleous
Host, Social Media Manager, Social Media Content Creator, & Editor - Dan Lawson