Forging the next level of inclusive banking: usability testing for accessibility
In today’s rapidly advancing digital landscape, technology offers unprecedented opportunities for empowerment and independence, especially for individuals with disabilities. As we strive to make digital products accessible to everyone, it is crucial to focus on usability testing for accessibility. This approach not only ensures compliance with accessibility standards but also creates intuitive experiences. By addressing the diverse needs of users through real-world testing, we can foster an inclusive digital environment where everyone can thrive.
written bei Istvan Ikvahidi, UX Researcher
What is Usability Testing for Accessibility?
Usability testing for accessibility evaluates how well a product can be used by people with disabilities. It goes beyond standard usability testing by focusing specifically on the unique challenges and requirements faced by users who rely on assistive technologies by invitig users with divers needs and keeping accessibility guoidelines in mmind during the test design phase.
Why Usability Testing for Accessibility Matters
- Usability testing helps uncover barriers that might prevent users with disabilities from fully engaging with a product. These barriers might be invisible to those who do not use assistive technologies.
- By understanding the specific needs of users with disabilities, we can make informed design changes that improve the overall user experience for everyone.
- Usability testing for accessibility ensures that products are designed with all users in mind, fostering an inclusive digital environment.
Accessibility Audits
Accessibility audits are systematic evaluations of a product to ensure compliance with established accessibility standards, such as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). They are crucial for identifying technical barriers and ensuring that a product meets the minimum requirements for accessibility.
Why audits are important
- Audits provide a baseline measure of how well a product adheres to accessibility standards, highlighting areas that require improvement.
· They help ensure that products comply with legal and regulatory requirements.
Why audits are not enough
While accessibility audits are essential, they are not sufficient on their own to ensure a fully accessible user experience.
- They might not address usability concerns, such as how intuitive and easy a product is to use for individuals with different needs and preferences.
- True accessibility goes beyond ticking boxes on a compliance checklist. It involves understanding and addressing the diverse needs of users through real-world testing and feedback.
If we keep the two pillars in mind, it is possible to give autonomy to users with special needs.
Incorporating Diversity into UX Research: Achievements So Far
As researchers, we have undertaken several initiatives together with the Accessibility Guild (consisting of developers, designers and researchers) to integrate accessibility into usability testing, ensuring our products meet the needs of all users.
Testing with Diverse User Groups
Our testing includes participants over 60 to assess readability, navigation simplicity, and accessibility, ensuring that our design is age-friendly and intuitive for older users.
By involving non-native German speakers, we aim to ensure that language barriers do not impede usability, making our product accessible to a global audience.
Partnering for Recruitment
One of the critical aspects of successful usability testing for accessibility is recruiting a diverse group of participants. We have established partnerships with local organizations and to help us reach individuals with varying disabilities such as the German Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired.
Organizing our usability test with a Screenreader User
Before recruiting participants, we conducted an accessibility audit to ensure our product met basic standards. Recruiting individuals based on the assistive technologies they use, rather than their disabilities, provided a more comprehensive perspective.
We partnered with self-help organizations to find participants, which allowed us to connect with users who actively engage with various assistive technologies.
The Testing Process
The test took place in our usability lab in FS 200.
Fun fact: Th eparticipant requested to be picked up from Berlin's Friedrichstraße station, known for its poor accessibility. Despite thorough preparation, entry to the building proved challenging due to a locked door, leading to some humorous "gymnastic" maneuvers to gain access.
The tasks were designed to mimic real-world interactions with our app. We prioritized creating scenarios that were realistic and provided sufficient time for each task.
Results and Insights
The usability test yielded significant insights into how different users experience our app:
- Participants appreciated the clear layout and intuitive design, which made navigation straightforward.
- By focusing on user autonomy, we learned that even small adjustments could greatly enhance the user experience.
- Seemingly minor aspects, like feedback timing and keyboard layout, can have a large impact on user confidence.
"Details create the big picture." – Sanford I. Weill, former CEO of Citigroup.
Future Plans
We plan to expand our testing to include a broader range of participants, encompassing different age groups, disabilities, and language backgrounds. Surveys will be employed to gain quantitative insights into our users' needs.
Our work on customer journey mapping will continue to integrate accessibility, ensuring that our products meet the diverse needs of all users.
Conclusion
Usability testing is an essential tool for creating digital products that are both accessible and user-friendly. By embracing diversity and focusing on the unique needs of each user, we can forge a new era of accessible banking that empowers everyone.