Today is World Usability Day, and I had the chance to join an inspiring event hosted by IBM and UXPA Austin. We heard from some incredible speakers on the challenges and responsibilities in our industry when it comes to accessibility and usability.
In the US, over 70 million people live with disabilities, globally, that number is over 1.3 billion. Many experience more than one disability, and truthfully, it’s not a question of "if" we’ll ever have disabilities, but "when"—whether it’s vision, hearing, or age-related. Creating products and services that serve everyone isn’t just a noble goal; it’s a necessity. Building an accessible, inclusive future is a shared responsibility that we all carry.
I was also super stoked to represent my organization, Level 11 Technology, which focuses on creating impact in the world of accessibility. Days like today remind us why this work matters so much.
A huge shoutout to the incredible speakers: Julieanne King, Michael McQuaid, Kritika Gulati, and Lauren Amy L., and the insightful panelists: Ashwini Paradkar, John Neumann, PhD, Eric T. Graham, and Brad Lawrence, Ph.D.
Here are some of the key takeaways from today’s event:
(The below section of the post is summarized by AI)
(Access my notes from today in the comment section)
1. Scope of Disability: Over 70 million Americans and 1.3 billion globally have a disability. These numbers, especially for cognitive disabilities, are conservative yet impactful.
2. AI in Accessibility: Despite vendor claims, AI alone can't handle accessibility; manual work is essential. Clients often overlook this ongoing need.
3. Challenges in Accessibility: WCAG guidelines are complex, and clients often prioritize compliance over empathy. AI isn't a standalone fix—it’s part of a larger effort.
4. Building Empathy: Shifting the conversation with clients to focus on real people, not just standards, can foster understanding. Including disabled users in testing builds better solutions.
5. Streamlining Design: Treat accessibility as foundational, not secondary. Tools like CommonLook can ease remediation, while templates and respect for user feedback ensure continuous improvement.
6. AI in Holistic Health: AI can fill gaps in healthcare support, but it’s a supplement, not a replacement. Tools should assess needs before engagement, mirroring human interactions.
7. UX Insights from Customers: Direct observation and conversation provide deep, agile insights into user needs, enhancing UX development.
8. Panel on UX Process: Aligning UX with business goals, building dev relationships, and using AI for tracking can streamline work, but AI remains bound by past data.
9. Gen AI in UX: Executives expect a rapid increase in generative AI use, but responsible, unbiased AI remains challenging. AI should augment, not replace, human insight.
10. Invention in UX: Leveraging patentable ideas in UX can drive impactful solutions, addressing societal needs like health, equity, and sustainability.
