What accessibility looks like in 2021
“Accessibility allows us to tap into everyone’s potential.” — Debra Ruh
Texting, Siri, the rubber handle on your can opener.
Did you know that many of the products, apps, and features that we could not imagine life without were designed for people with disabilities? Texting was created for people who are hard of hearing or deaf. Siri was designed with folks with limited mobility or vision in mind. The OXO grip on can openers was originally developed for individuals with arthritis or low vision. Accessibility is not just a feature in your phone or device settings, a trend, or a “nice-to-have” in product development, but critical for the disability (and greater) community as well as your company’s talent and bottom line. Here are practical examples of how firms have “ramped up” their inclusion efforts this year:
Starbucks reimagines the in-store experience
For millions, Starbucks is an integral and natural part of their daily routine. This common and shared experience for many has been a barrier for those who are visually impaired. Just last week, Starbucks launched a partnership with Aira, a smartphone app that connects blind and low-vision people to a live operator who essentially becomes an extra pair of eyes. The user will point their camera to their surroundings and the operator will help the user navigate the store and access visual information. Additionally, Starbucks will offer large print and Braille menus in all US and Canada locations.
Nike designs for both function and fashion
When Matthew Walzer, a teenager with cerebral palsy, wrote to Nike about his dream of one day going to college without worrying about someone coming to tie his shoes for him, Nike responded. Continuing the growing momentum of adaptive fashion, in other words clothing designed for people who have disabilities and after nearly a decade in development, Nike recently launched a pair of lace-less, hands-free sneakers called the GoFlyease shoes. What is incredible about the sneakers is the universal design element, which means that the product is meant to improve accessibility for everyone, not just the disability community.
Ubisoft makes video game trailers more accessible
The gaming industry has been reimaging the user experience — starting with game trailers. In 2020, Youtube launched a new accessibility feature, designed to provide access to blind and visually impaired audiences with an additional audio track that narrates visuals. Ubisoft North America, a game publisher and developer popularly known for games like Assassin’s Creed, welcomed the new feature as it not only aligned with their initiative to improve access for visually impaired gamers, but also an opportunity to reach a wider audience.
Understandably, building a customer experience that is truly inclusive and accessible seems like a daunting task; however, there are several resources out there to guide the implementation and integration of WCAG standards and Universal Design principles. Whether it is mobile app development, website design, or product design, accessibility is an essential and achievable component of the design process.
How are you reimagining accessibility in your company, product, design process?
