Developing a Manifesto for Accessible UXDavid Sloan, Léonie Watson, Sarah HortonThe Paciello Group

Welcome

Who we are

• David Sloan: @sloandr• Léonie Watson: @LeonieWatson• Sarah Horton: @gradualclearing

What we plan to do

• Identify challenges a manifesto for Accessible UX must address

• Discuss how to use a manifesto as a vehicle for change

• Create a draft manifesto to use as a starting point

What we hope to accomplish

• Understand the obstacles that make AUX challenging• Appreciate the role of a manifesto can play • Create an alpha version of an AUX manifesto

What you were invited to do

• Think about the purpose of a manifesto• Identify common components make up a manifesto• Inventory challenges the manifesto must address

Context

• We believe accessibility and UX are part of the same objective

• TPG is advancing how we work with clients from evaluating output towards improving process

• But advocating and implementing AUX is difficult• Can a manifesto—a shared articulation of AUX—

help us reposition accessibility in UX?

Introductions

Activity: About us as a group

• Your name• How far you traveled to get here• Your biggest AUX challenge

What we know about you

Level of experience

We represent all experience levels. Most people have some to many years of experience involving disabled people in UX activities, closely followed by people who are just starting out or who are uncertain how to categorise their experience.

Type of experience

Almost everyone is involved in AUX at the practical level, either through research, design, development or QA testing. Some people also deal with AUX at the strategic/policy level, or in an advocacy/educational capacity.

Most challenging aspect

Most people feel that project execution is a big challenge point for AUX, although far fewer identified project planning as a problem. No one feels that project management is a challenge.

Biggest obstacle

People were evenly split between lack of knowledge and lack of practical guidance as obstacles to AUX. Lack of awareness wasn’t considered to be an obstacle at all.

Meaning of AUX

Most people believe that AUX means that everyone including people with disabilities can use a product/service, and that the UX should be pleasant/enjoyable for all. People acknowledged that AUX must take into account people with different disabilities, and others noted that accessibility guidelines make a good starting point/contributing factor of good AUX.

Who we are—together

• We represent a range of familiarity and experience• We see the greatest challenge as getting accessibility

in the process• We believe this is due to a lack of accessibility

capacity on project teams• We share the goal of making user experiences

enjoyable for everyone

Word cloud with responses to the “Meaning of AUX” question

Sharing Observations from the Field

Mapping challenges and obstacles for AUX

Activity: Identifying the challenges

• Discuss challenges you face with your neighbor• List them• Report back

Activity: Mapping the obstacles

• Review list of challenges• Sort them into categories

Creating a Shared VisionUsing a manifesto as a vehicle for change

Activity: Defining a manifesto

• List manifestos• Discuss what manifestos are intended to accomplish• Share how you would use a manifesto

Break

Activity: Making a manifesto

• We believe…• We recognize…• We will…

Activity: Using a manifesto

• Discuss how we can make use our Manifesto for AUX

Wrap up