We are all disabled, or soon could be: Redefining inclusive user experience on the web
PSEweb 2015 – July 27th, 2015
Denis Boudreau [email protected]
@dboudreau
Web Accessibility Strategist Simply Accessible http://sateach.es
Meet John Needs and Goals • Clear, simple instructions • Not get lost in details
Behaviors • Makes to-do lists • Frequently feels overwhelmed • Experiencing early signs of Alzheimer’s
Demographics • 54 years old • Single, no kids • Retired public servant • Full time student
From John’s point of view…
1. I find most websites really overwhelming with so much going on. 2. I often get frustrated when trying to fill out complex forms. 3. It’s hard for me to remember things from one page to the next. 4. When pages change without warning, I feel disoriented. 5. I’m getting increasingly worried that I won’t be able to use the
Internet for what I need to do for my studies or my job.
Meet Sean Needs and Goals • Be up to date on the latest technology • 1000 pull requests on GitHub by end of 2015
Behaviors • Very tech savvy, wants the latest gadgets • Quickly gets bored with technology • Has low-vision (requires 400% magnification)
Demographics • 27 years old • Engaged, no kids (yet) • Front-End Developer • Part-time student
From Sean’s point of view…
1. With a limited view, it can be difficult for me to maintain context. 2. Sometimes, I find it hard to distinguish between items. 3. I often have real trouble with multiple columns on a web page. 4. When buttons are placed really far away from where I am on a
page, I might miss them entirely. 5. All of this causes me significant eye strain and fatigue each day.
Meet Maxine Needs and Goals • Feels the need to slow down a little • Wants to get in better physical shape
Behaviors • Extrovert with very strong peoples skills • Has a very busy social life • Has severe arthritis
Demographics • 48 years old • Married, 3 kids • Hair Stylist • Part-time student
From Maxine’s point of view…
1. I have trouble clicking or tapping on small target areas. 2. Buttons can sometimes be too close together for me. 3. Often, I don’t have a lot of strength in my hands when typing. 4. Sometimes, I use a combination of keyboard/mouse/voice. 5. On bad days, I may type really slowly because it hurts.
Principles of universal design for learning Minimize barriers, maximize access Provide multiple means of: • Representation – show the
information in different ways. • Action and expression – allow users
to approach content and allow them to use it in different ways.
• Engagement – offer options that engage users and keep their interest.
McGill University Demographics
Out of 39,000 students at McGill
Approximately 1 600, or 4%, are registered to the OSD
About 1 out of 5 students who qualify come forward
Up to 8,000 students at McGill could be disabled
This means about 20.5% of the students’ population
On par with the rest of the disabled population
Blindness Cognitive
Situational disabilities
Chemo brain
Color blindness
Cystic fibrosis
Gamer’s thumb
Dyslexia Language barriers
Photosensitive epilepsy
Astigmatism
Hard of hearing
Lazy-Eyes
Directionally challenged
Poor hearing
Age-related macular degeneration
Multiple sclerosis
Learning difficulties
Visual impairments
Tremors
Muscle slowness
Deuteranopia Monochromacy
Dichromacy
Anomalous trichromacy
Protanopia
Protanomaly
Deuteranomaly
Tritanopia
Tritanomaly
Deafness
Achromatopsia
Loss of fine muscle control Parkinson’s disease
Muscular dystrophy
Cerebral palsy
Stroke
Photoepileptic seizures
Developmental disabilities
Dyscalculia
Attention deficit disorder
Dementia
Acquired brain injuries
Neurodegenerative diseases
Difficulty concentrating
Dysgraphia
Getting older
Post-concussion syndrome Sleep deprivation
Vertigo
Illiteracy
Amputation
Cataracts Glaucoma
Hearing
Autism
Motor Diabetic retinopathy Low vision
Noise-induced hearing loss
Aphasia Reading disorders
Visual
Vestibular disorders
The World Health Organization estimates there are more than 1 billion people, or 15% of the world’s
population, that is disabled (1 out of every 7 of us).
In Canada…
3.8 million Canadians are disabled The percentage of Canadians with disabilities ranges from 4.4% of people between 15 to 24 years, to 42.5% for those 75+ years.
Total Canada Population 35.2 Million (2012)
People with disabilities 3.8 Million
13.7%
Source: http://www.mcss.gov.on.ca/en/mcss/publications/accessibility/charles_beer/intro_why_accessibility.aspx
According to Employment and Social Development Canada
5 million Canadians are seniors This number is expected to reach 10.4 million, or 23.5% of the population, by 2036.
Total Canada Population 35.2 Million (2012)
Seniors, 65+ 5 Million
14.4%
Source: http://www4.hrsdc.gc.ca/[email protected]?iid=33
According to the Canadian Literacy and Learning Network
Literacy statistics in Canada
55% of working age adults do not have adequate health literacy skills.
42% of adults between the ages of 16 - 65 have low literacy skills.
16% of Quebecers aged 16 - 65 are on the lowest rung of the reading scale.
Sources: http://www.fondationalphabetisation.org/en/adults/illiteracy_literacy/ http://www.literacy.ca/literacy/literacy-sub/
2014: the mobile revolution Mobile internet takes over desktop
According to ComScore, Americans used mobile apps more than PCs to access the Internet in January 2014. Mobile devices accounted for 55% of Internet usage. This was the first time this had ever happened. Source:
http://money.cnn.com/2014/02/28/technology/mobile/mobile-apps-internet/
The mobile revolution Mobile growth increase
Source: http://findmycompany.com/advantages-of-responsive-web-design
Mobile devices are quickly becoming the cheapest way to get online
Web accessibility and mobile technologies The times, they are a-changin'
Many students with disabilities are finding these devices to be the cheapest way to buy modern assistive technology
The number of students relying on mobile devices as their main access point to the Internet increases every year
What does this mean: • For inaccessible content? • For PDF documents? • For Flash-based videos? • For Flash applications? • For the users’ bandwidth? • Etc.
Distance Education Accessibility Guidelines Task Force
A Californian example Guidelines related to specific media types found in digital media:
• Text
• Image
• Audio
• Video
• Complex
Resource: http://www.htctu.net/dlguidelines/dlg_index.html
"What we need to start doing is designing for the extremes.
The middle will take care of itself."
- @DanFormosa