Virtual Accessibility and User Experience

👩🦰 Designing Accessibility Personas (https://lnkd.in/evVnB4hd). How to embed accessibility and test for it early in the design process ↓ We often assume that digital products are merely that — products. They either work or don’t work. That they help people meet their needs or fail on their path to get there. But every product has its own embedded personality. It can be helpful or dull, fragile or reliable, supportive or misleading. When we design it, willingly or unwillingly, we embed our values, views and perspectives into it. Sometimes it’s meticulously shaped and refined. And sometimes it’s simply random. And when that happens, users assign their perception of the product’s personality to the product instead. Products are rarely accessible by accident. There must be an intent that captures and drives accessibility efforts in a product. And the best way to do that is by involving people with temporary, situational and permanent disabilities into the design process. One simple way of achieving that is by inviting people with disabilities in the design process. For that, we could recruit people via tools like Access Works or UserTesting, ask admins of groups and channels on accessibility to help, or drop an email to non-profits that work in accessibility space. Another way is establishing accessibility personas for user journeys. Consider them as user profiles that highlight common barriers faced by people with particular conditions and provide guidelines for designers and engineers on how to design and build for them. E.g. Simone, a dyslexic user, or Chris, a user with rheumatoid arthritis. For each, we document known challenges and notable considerations, designing training tasks for designers and developers and instructions to simulate experience through the lens of these personas. By no means does it replace proper accessibility testing, but it creates a shared understanding about what the experiences are like. You can build on top of Gov.uk’s profound research project (https://lnkd.in/evVnB4hd) — it also explains how to set up devices and browsers, so that each persona has their own browser profile. Once you do, you can always switch between them and simulate an experience, without changing settings every single time. All Accessibility Personas (+ Tasks, Research, Setup) https://lnkd.in/evVnB4hd Accessibility doesn’t have to be challenging if it’s considered early. No digital product is neutral. Accessibility is a deliberate decision, and a commitment. Not only does it help everyone; it also shows what a company believes in and values. And once you do have a commitment, and it will be much easier to retain accessibility, rather than adding it last minute as a crutch — because that’s where it’s way too late to do it right, and way too expensive to make it well. [Useful pointers in the comments ↓] #ux #accessibility

Most classically trained accessibility engineers will tell you that when an experience is equally terrible for disabled and non-disabled users, it doesn’t qualify as an accessibility violation. As a native assistive technology user (magnification and keyboard), I respectfully, but vehemently, disagree. Equal misery is not equity. When a design decision leaves everyone frustrated, the impact on disabled users is compounded. We often lack the same workarounds as nondisabled users, and even when we do have the same workarounds, they often take us longer to recognize and execute. This can trigger fatigue and pain that leaves us unable to finish our tasks. Framing usability problems as “not an accessibility issue” misses the point. Accessibility is not about checking WCAG criteria boxes. It’s about whether people with disabilities can accomplish their tasks with independence, dignity, and efficiency. When an experience creates barriers for everyone, accessibility professionals should not dismiss it. They should lead the charge in requesting design and coding changes by engaging with UX to improve the experience for all users. #Equity #Equal #disability #accessibility #WCAG

What’s the FIRST thing you do before visiting a venue or purchasing a service or product? You research online? You read online reviews? You search the apps? But what if the digital space, the apps and websites weren’t accessible? Meaning you weren’t able to navigate or find the information you needed? What is digital accessibility? The UAE has made it clear: digital platforms must be accessible — no excuses. Through the National Digital Accessibility Policy, led by TDRA, the focus is on ensuring people of determination and senior citizens can access every online service and piece of information, without barriers. The Authority’s platforms are built on the UAE Design System and comply with WCAG 2.2 AA — the latest international accessibility standards — setting the benchmark for a seamless and user-friendly experience for all users. This is not a “nice to have.” It’s a mandate. Here’s what that actually means: • If someone is blind, they should be able to navigate a government site with a screen reader just as easily as anyone else with a mouse • If content is in a PDF, video, or form, it must have captions, alt text, and formats that don’t lock people out. Accessibility isn’t just about design — it’s about whether the information itself can actually be used • Moving services online only works if everyone can use them. If a senior citizen can’t renew their license, or a person of determination can’t pay their bills through an app, then it’s not transformation — it’s exclusion. Now the real question: is your organisation ready? There isn’t one industry that doesn’t require digital accessibility. Accessibility is not something to add later. It’s something to design from the start. It’s how you prove that innovation is genuinely for everyone. If you’re building digital services in Abu Dhabi — or anywhere in the UAE — it’s time to audit, adapt, and act. The policy is here. The standard is clear. The responsibility is ours. Disabled people are your customers. #Accessibility #DigitalInclusion #AbuDhabi #UAE #PurpleTuesday #DigitalAccessibility Purple Tuesday #TDRA

🎭 Accessibility isn’t just a checkbox. It’s a catalyst for innovation. Last year, I created the first accessible HTML Playbill. This year, I coordinated the Playbill for Oliver! The Musical. And the curb cut effect showed up in full force. On opening night, the printer broke. The next day, the network went down. No printed programs. No network. But because I had already built an accessible HTML version for this show, we had a fast-loading, mobile-friendly program ready to go. I added a QR code, step-by-step instructions, and URLs for folks unfamiliar with QR tech. It loaded quickly on a finicky network and people could view it in low light during the show when it's too dark to see the printed program. The organization later added a QR code to a PDF version. If I could do it again, I’d direct people to the accessible version. At the top of that version, I'd link to the PDF version. This lets people choose between the faster loading page on mobile devices in a building with a poor connection or the full image program. This is the curb cut effect: a solution designed for accessibility that benefits everyone. And it’s also a reminder ... Hire us. Involve us. Disabled people bring lived experience that leads to creative, practical, and inclusive solutions. We don’t just advocate for accessibility. We design and build it. Accessibility isn’t charity. It’s a strategy. Want resilient systems? Involve disabled problem-solvers. If you're a person with a disability or have worked with disabled collaborators, what unexpected value do disabled people bring to the table? Accessibility isn’t just about compliance. It’s about creativity, resilience, and insight. If you’re ready to build smarter, more inclusive systems, drop a comment or DM. 🔔 Tap profile bell (You may need to do it again. LinkedIn reset it.) 👉 Follow #MerylMots for past posts #UserExperience #Accessibility The image shows what the signs looked like: "Oliver! Playbill" with four steps. A box where the QR code appeared and the URL beneath it.

What if an interface could adapt to your world in real time? Imagine your car’s dashboard subtly shifting to shades of green as you drive through a forest, or an app adjusting to your personal accessibility needs without breaking. For the past few months, I've spoken with many of you and I’ve realized we’re all working toward the same ambitious goal: creating interfaces that offer a seamless blend of brand personalization, true adaptability, and accessibility. This is about building an experience that is not only true to a brand's perception but is also tailored to our individual needs as consumers. My exploration so far has revealed three foundational concepts that I feel are important to make this a reality. In the upcoming months, I’ll be sharing our journey as we explore these concepts. Some ideas will work, some will fail. I don’t know where this path will lead, but I want to bring you along in the process. 1.⁠ ⁠Contextual Awareness This is the idea that an element understands its environment. A button, for example, knows what surface it’s sitting on and adapts accordingly. While tools like Figma use variable collections to simulate this, the approach is often fragile because it lacks a scalable underlying logic. This very challenge was a driving force behind developing the graph engine. I’m excited to share that a solution for this is now possible directly in modern browsers with pure CSS, laying a powerful and scalable foundation for the future. 2.⁠ ⁠Content Awareness Imagine an interface that reflects the content it displays. We see a version of this in Spotify’s UI, which adapts to album art to create a more immersive experience. This principle allows the UI to react dynamically, personalizing the experience in real-time based on its content. 3.⁠ ⁠User Awareness This pillar brings it all together by focusing on the user’s specific needs. It means designing systems that can respond to a user with Parkinson’s who may need more forgiving interaction areas, or accommodating the universal reality that as we get older, we need larger fonts. The key is to make these adjustments without breaking the interface or compromising the brand experience. These three pillars form the blueprint for the next generation of user interfaces. By understanding where an element is, what it contains, and who is using it, we can create experiences that feel truly alive. I think there’s more to discover beyond our current methods. Let's explore what it means to build something truly adaptive, together.

A founder once told me “accessibility isn’t about me.” I asked him to walk through a day with me: At 8:10 a.m., he’s outside, sun hitting his screen at the wrong angle. He shades the phone with his hand, squints, gives up. . At 12:25 p.m., he’s on a noisy train watching a demo video. No captions. He bookmarks it for “later” (which never comes). . At 3:40 p.m., he tries to tap a tiny link while juggling a bag and a latte. Misses three times. Closes the tab. . At 9:15 p.m., he lands on a site with clever navigation and no clarity. Gets lost. Bounces. He looked at me and said, “Okay… I’ve lived all of that.” Those moments have a name: situational or temporary disabilities. They last minutes or hours. For millions, the barriers don’t “go away.” Accessibility is for all of us. And when we design for the edges, the center gets better too. It’s not just ethical, it’s effective: Research shows inclusive design see up to 28% higher revenue and up to 60% higher customer loyalty. Design like everyone matters, because they do. #Accessibility #InclusiveDesign #UX #TemporaryDisability #DigitalInclusion #WebAccessibility #BusinessCaseForAccessibility

Accessibility isn’t optional—it’s essential. It’s not just about checking a box; it’s about creating inclusive experiences that work for everyone. Here’s how designers can advocate for accessibility without it feeling like an afterthought: 1️⃣ Build accessibility into the design process Accessibility isn’t a last-minute QA step—it’s a design choice. Start integrating it early with tools like: ↳ Stark: Check contrast ratios directly in Figma. ↳ Axe: Test designs for screen readers and other assistive technologies. When accessibility is part of your process, you can avoid costly fixes later by building more inclusive products from the start. 2️⃣ Show the business case Accessibility isn’t just the right thing to do—it’s also good for business. Here’s how: ↳ Better usability: Designs that are accessible for some are often easier to use for all. ↳ Legal compliance: Avoid lawsuits and ensure your designs meet standards like WCAG. ↳ Broader audience reach: Accessible designs open your product to millions of users who might otherwise be excluded. 3️⃣ Educate stakeholders Not everyone understands the impact of inaccessible design. Help make the issue tangible by: ↳ Sharing examples of real-world accessibility challenges (e.g., unreadable text or confusing navigation). ↳ Explaining how inaccessible designs exclude people—and how inclusive design benefits everyone. 4️⃣ Lead by example As designers, we set the tone. Advocate for accessibility by incorporating best practices into your work: ↳ Add alt text for images and icons. ↳ Design with keyboard navigation in mind. ↳ Use clear hierarchies to guide users, especially those relying on assistive devices. Don’t stop at theory. Test your designs with real users, including those who rely on assistive technologies. (The best insights come from real feedback.) Accessibility isn’t an afterthought—it’s a commitment to inclusion, usability, and good design. What’s your favorite way to advocate for accessibility? Share below! 👇 #accessibility #inclusion #uxdesign #leadership #innovation #designstrategy #uxui #designtools ---------------- 👋 Hi, I'm Dane—I share daily design tools & tips. ❤️ If you found this helpful, consider liking it. 🔄 Want to help others? Consider reposting. ➕ For more like this, consider following me.

Why web accessibility and cybersecurity aren’t separate disciplines - they’re two sides of the same coin. Too often we treat accessibility as a “nice-to-have,” and cybersecurity as the urgent “must-solve”. But here’s the truth: both protect people. Whether it’s someone experiencing a website with a screen-reader or someone navigating a secure login, usability and safety go hand in hand. For example, research shows that many security systems assume users can see CAPTCHAs, remember complex passwords, or navigate with a mouse - an assumption that excludes people with disabilities (the link to the article on Springer Nature: https://lnkd.in/eNpGRJvE) Another study found that poor accessibility features reduce cognitive engagement, even for users without disabilities, meaning a confusing interface weakens both usability and security (the link to the article on PubMed: https://lnkd.in/e5ZQe2i7) In the carousel below I walk through: how clarity and structure benefit everyone, why inaccessible security controls become risk points and how inclusive design makes digital systems stronger and more trustworthy. #WebAccessibility #CyberSecurity #InclusiveDesign #DigitalTrust #A11y

Accessibility isn’t an extra feature. It’s the feature. I’ve seen teams spend weeks perfecting micro-animations, optimizing bundle size, and debating design tokens — but then forget to add keyboard navigation or alt text. For many users, that’s the difference between an app that works and an app that doesn’t. The irony? Accessibility often improves everyone’s experience. Better color contrast helps in sunlight. Keyboard shortcuts boost productivity. Clear semantics make SEO happy. 👉 So here’s the question: Why is accessibility still treated like a “nice to have” when it’s really core to user experience?

Remote work should not mean isolated work. Many of us have comfortably settled into the routine of working from home. But this comfort should not blind us to the essential needs of our teams — particularly those requiring specific accommodations. For individuals with disabilities, neurodivergences, or other unique needs, the digital workplace can present as many barriers as it does opportunities. From the ergonomics of a home office setup to digital accessibility tools, the challenges are varied and require dedicated attention. As leaders, it’s important for us to actively work to dismantle these barriers and enhance the inclusivity of our digital environments. This commitment means continually assessing and improving the technology and tools we use, ensuring they are accessible to everyone. It involves training teams to be mindful of diverse needs during virtual meetings and maintaining constant communication to ensure no one feels left behind. We must create protocols that not only accommodate but also anticipate the requirements of all team members, integrating support seamlessly into their work day. This is the future of work, where diversity is not just acknowledged but actively embraced and supported. #Accessibility #RemoteWork #DiversityAndInclusion