pretty accessible 2.0

pretty accessible

design by pxlgirl

2.0

what are accessibility and inclusion?

the basics

pretty accessible 2.0 | design by pxlgirl

Accessibility is refers to products, devices and services for people with disabilities to ensure they can get and process information without limitations.

Inclusion is a broader approach and involves removing barriers so that individuals with a disability can live and participate in regular society. Accessibility is one way to achieve this goal.

and how we perceive it

the world around us

Our senses collect information, our brains interpret the information. This allows us to function and navigate the world we live in. Even though people with disabilities have a disadvantage if their senses are impaired, accessible assistive technologies can compensate a lot nowadays.

However, accessibility is often dismissed as a minority issue. While the number of people with disabilities since birth is small by comparison, accidents, disease and age can cause someone's senses to deteriorate or stop working altogether. Furthermore, environmental circumstances (stressful situations, weather conditions) can also limit the ability of non-disabled people to function.


that can help individuals with disabilities

technologies and tools

At this point, people need tools and solutions that help them process information accordingly:

• visual: screen readers, magnification, braille terminals

• motor/mobility: speech recognition, keyboard overlays

• auditory: subtitles or sign language

• cognitive: simple/understandable language


laws and regulations on disability rights

the legal angle

Many western countries (such as Australia, USA/Canada, UK) have passed anti-discrimination/accessibility laws in order to protect the rights of individuals with disabilities.

• Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)

• User Agent Accessibility Guidelines (UAAG)

• The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD)


and the slightly painful truth

the reality

Guidelines and laws were made with good intentions, yet there are some downsides that cannot be ignored:

• Complicated (tech) jargon

• Exclusion of targeted audiences in the development process

• Outdated, useless and inapplicable rules in practice

• Inability/unwillingness to address (user) feedback

• Lack of understanding about individual (users) needs

• Limitations on innovative development, creativity and design

• Enforcing laws regardless of capability to meet requirements


than meets the eye…

but wait, there is more

While the technological end is well covered, many charities and accessibility advocates ignore the importance of visual appearance. They assume that following rules and regulations is just good enough, resulting in lack of understanding or sometimes blatant ignorance. Most designers are unaware that this is even an issue.

As a result, many web sites and print materials look amateurish. This not only denies people with disabilities a positive user experience, but also signals to the outside world that the subject matter is not important or serious.


not all that glitters is gold

the bad…

Example of the widely used font enlarger: too small to be found, and breaks up the page layout when the internal browser zoom function is used.


beauty actually matters

… and the ugly

Examples of two not visually appealing web sites lacking any design, usability/user experience concept.


or maybe not?

as blind as a bat

Being visually impaired does not mean being unable to see at all. Many still have remaining eyesight due to the following conditions:

• myopia/hyperopia (short/farsightedness) blurred vision

• color-blindness

• visual field disorders


of color-blindness

a simulation

Example an image as seen by a normally sighted and a color-blind individual.


of blurred vision/myopia

another simulation

Example of an image as seen from a distance of about 30 cm with full vision, and with approximately 20% eyesight.


of visual field disorder

yet another simulation

Example of a mobile device as seen from a distance (20 cm) and up close (5 cm), with approximately 20%, and 5% eyesight.


busting the myths

a matter of fact

The assumption that visually impaired people can’t see the content and therefore don’t need design is a myth. In fact, design can be used to create solutions to remove barriers.

In fact, design can be used to create solutions to remove barriers. This requires solid communication strategies and high quality universal design concepts, created with accessibility in mind by default, rather than an additional/optional feature.


HITAP (Ministry of Public Health) | Thailand

showcase

A policy brief addressing cervical cancer in Thailand. The target audience was women between the age of 40 - 60 (with potential vision loss)


Inclusie Woerden | Netherlands

showcase

A logo for a non-profit organization to advise governmental institutions and companies on accessibility in the city of Woerden, Netherlands. The colors were extracted from the color blind preview and applied to the final logo.


inclusive design & accessibility | Netherlands

showcase

A logo for a networking group (meetup) advocating accessibility and inclusive design in the Netherlands. The lighter/darker color scheme and the flipped 11 is an abstraction of diverse people and a11y (numeronym for accessibility)


make the world accessible (again)

the final note

It’s not always up to advocates, rules and regulations to decide what is in a certain group’s best interest. People (regardless of condition and the lack thereof) should be given possibilities and support if needed to adjust the content and environment to their unique and individual needs. Accessibility shouldn’t be forced, it should be common sense.


thank you.

http://www.designbypxlgirl.com | design by pxlgirl

Agnieszka pxlgirl Czajkowska

designer | consultant

http://www.designbypxlgirl.com

pretty accessible 2.0

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