Cards: Accessibility

What is accessibility according to Webster's Dictionary?

"Easily used or accessed by people with disabilities: adapted for use by people with disabilities."

How is accessibility defined in a broader sense?

It's the concept of whether a product or service can be used by everyone, however they encounter it; designers should aim to accommodate all potential users in many contexts of use, even though laws exist to aid people with disabilities.

What is the core idea of the Social Model of Disability?

Disability is caused by the way society is organized.

What does the Social Model of Disability aim to do?

It seeks to find ways of removing barriers that restrict life choices for disabled people and help develop more inclusive ways of living, with independence, choice, and control.

What does the Medical Model of Disability state?

People are disabled by their impairments or differences.

What is the focus of the Medical Model of Disability?

It looks at what is 'wrong' with the person and not what the person needs.

What negative consequences can the Medical Model of Disability lead to?

It can create low expectations and leads to people losing independence, choice, and control in their own lives.

What are the W5H questions used when designing a product?

Who, What, Where, When, Why, and How.

What is the definition of Digital Accessibility?

The "design of and building of websites and web apps that disabled people can interact with in a meaningful and equivalent way". It also means designing and building digital offerings so that, regardless of a person's mental or physical ability, they can still interact with the digital product in a meaningful and equal way.

What is the relationship between accessibility and compliance?

Accessibility is not only about compliance (viewed as checkboxes), but it is also about usability.

What do WCAG standards explain?

WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) documents explain how to make web content more accessible to people with disabilities, and it is a technical standard.

What are the two key parts of usefulness in relation to usability?

Utility (Does the system do what users need?) and Usability (Can users easily use the system’s features?).

What are Nielsen’s usability characteristics?

Learnability, Efficiency, Memorability, Errors, and Satisfaction.

What did Tim Berners-Lee say about the universality of the Web regarding accessibility?

"The power of the Web is in its universality. Access by everyone regardless of disability is an essential aspect."

What is Web Accessibility?

Websites, tools, and technologies are designed and developed so that people with disabilities can use them.

What types of disabilities does Web Accessibility encompass?

All disabilities that affect access to the Web: auditory, visual, cognitive, physical, and speech.

What are the four main Web Accessibility principles?

Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, Robust.

How does accessibility benefit people without disabilities?

It benefits those using small screen devices, older people with changing abilities, people with temporary disabilities (e.g., broken arm), those with situational limitations (e.g., bright light), and users with slow internet connections or limited bandwidth.

Why is accessibility important for businesses?

It can drive innovation, enhance the brand, extend market reach, and minimize legal risk.

Explain the "Perceivable" principle of Web Accessibility.

Users must be able to perceive all essential information on the screen, and it must be conveyed to multiple senses.

Give examples of implementing the "Perceivable" principle.

Adding text alternatives to non-decorative images/essential icons, adding captions/transcripts/audio descriptions to videos, and ensuring color is not the only method of conveying meaning.

Explain the "Operable" principle of Web Accessibility.

Users must be able to operate the digital product's interface, and the interface cannot require interaction that a user cannot perform.

Give examples of implementing the "Operable" principle.

Adding keyboard and touchscreen support to active elements, ensuring necessary controls for slideshows/videos, and giving users enough time to fill out a form or a method to extend the time.

Explain the "Understandable" principle of Web Accessibility.

Users must understand the information and the operation of the user interface.

Give examples of implementing the "Understandable" principle.

Writing simply, ensuring predictable navigation for the digital product, and ensuring error messages are clear and easy to resolve.

Explain the "Robust" principle of Web Accessibility.

Supporting assistive technologies and ensuring that, as devices and user agents evolve, the digital product remains accessible.

Give examples of implementing the "Robust" principle.

Testing keyboard-only navigation, testing with different screen reader technologies, and ensuring all content and functionality can be accessed regardless of device size or orientation.