Summary of Accessibility vs. Inclusive Design

Summary of "Accessibility vs. Inclusive Design"

This video explores the distinctions between Accessible Design and Inclusive Design, emphasizing their importance in user experience (UX).

Main Ideas and Concepts:

• Definition of Accessible Design:
  • Accessible Design is focused on creating websites, tools, and technologies that enable people with disabilities to use them without barriers.
  • It is defined by the World Wide Web Consortium and applies to various user experiences, not just web design.
• UX Accessibility:
  • Refers to ensuring that all user experiences (physical, digital, service design) can be accessed by people of all abilities.
  • Acknowledges that everyone has varying limits to their abilities, which can change over time.
• Difference Between Accessibility and Inclusive Design:
  • Accessibility is seen as a goal or destination.
  • Inclusive Design is a methodology to achieve that goal, focusing on understanding and enabling people from diverse backgrounds and abilities.
• Broader Scope of Inclusive Design:
  • Inclusive Design encompasses a wider range of differences, including age, culture, economic status, education, geographic location, and language.
  • It aims to account for all these differences in the design process.
• Understanding Users:
  • The video criticizes the method of perspective-taking (imagining oneself in someone else's situation) due to inherent biases.
  • Instead, it advocates for Perspective-Getting, which involves directly engaging with and observing individuals who are excluded or differ from the typical user base.
• Importance of Qualitative Research:
  • Emphasizes the need to gather data from the people who are the experts of their own lives to better understand their needs.
  • Suggests starting by identifying groups that may be excluded or have difficulty accessing services.
• Enablement in Inclusive Design:
  • Inclusive Design is about creating multiple ways for people to engage with a product or service, rather than striving for a single perfect design.
  • Recognizes that different user needs may require different designs.
• Benefits of Inclusive Design:
  • Creating designs that are usable for a broader audience can attract new customers and benefit underserved communities.
  • It presents a win-win scenario for both businesses and the community.

Methodology for Inclusive Design:

• Engage in Perspective-Getting: Talk to and observe individuals from diverse backgrounds and abilities.
• Conduct Qualitative Research: Use qualitative methods to gain a deeper understanding of the audience.
• Identify Excluded Groups: Determine who might be excluded from accessing or using your services.
• Create Multiple Designs: Develop various design options to meet different user needs.
• Focus on Enablement: Aim to create designs that allow for equal perception, understanding, navigation, interaction, and contribution.

Speakers/Sources Featured:

• The video does not explicitly name any speakers but refers to general concepts and methodologies in UX design. The mention of "one of our UX Mantras" suggests a collective voice from a UX design group or organization.
• The video also references the website nngroup.com, indicating it is produced by the Nielsen Norman Group, a well-known entity in the UX field.

Notable Quotes

— 02:39 — « You are not the user. »

— 02:43 — « Instead of perspective-taking, opt for perspective-getting, which is actually talking to and observing people who are currently excluded or who might differ from your typical user base. »

— 03:34 — « Inclusive design is about that, enablement, it's not about creating a single design that is perfect in all ways, it's about creating many ways for people to engage, to equally perceive, understand, navigate, interact with, and contribute. »

— 04:02 — « Any step we can take to make designs usable for a new group of people means gaining new customers, a win for underserved communities, a win for businesses, a win for all. »

Category

Educational

Video