How can you ensure that your accessibility testing is inclusive of people with low digital literacy?

1 Define your target users

The first step to ensure that your accessibility testing is inclusive of people with low digital literacy is to define who your target users are, and what their goals, needs, preferences, and challenges are. You can use various methods to gather user data, such as surveys, interviews, personas, or user journeys. You should also consider the context and environment in which your users access and use your product or service, such as their device, network, location, or time. By defining your target users, you can identify the potential accessibility issues and opportunities for improvement that they may encounter.

2 Choose appropriate testing methods

The next step is to choose the appropriate testing methods that suit your target users and your product or service. You can use different types of testing methods, such as heuristic evaluation, expert review, automated testing, or user testing. However, some testing methods may be more effective or suitable than others for people with low digital literacy. For example, heuristic evaluation or expert review may not capture the nuances and challenges that people with low digital literacy face, while automated testing may not detect all the accessibility issues or provide meaningful feedback. User testing, on the other hand, can provide valuable insights into how people with low digital literacy interact with your product or service, and what difficulties or frustrations they may experience.

3 Recruit representative participants

The third step is to recruit representative participants who reflect the characteristics and diversity of your target users. You should aim to recruit participants who have low digital literacy, as well as other factors that may affect their accessibility and usability, such as age, disability, language, culture, or education. You should also ensure that you recruit participants from different backgrounds and locations, and that you use inclusive and ethical recruitment methods, such as asking for consent, providing incentives, or using accessible platforms. By recruiting representative participants, you can ensure that your accessibility testing is relevant and realistic.

4 Conduct inclusive and empathetic testing

The fourth step is to conduct inclusive and empathetic testing that respects and supports your participants. You should design your testing scenarios and tasks based on your user data, and make sure that they are clear, simple, and relevant. You should also use accessible and user-friendly testing tools and methods, such as screen readers, magnifiers, or voice input, and provide guidance and feedback to your participants. You should also create a safe and comfortable testing environment, where you can communicate with your participants effectively, and where you can observe and record their behavior and feedback. You should also avoid making assumptions or judgments about your participants, and instead, listen to them and empathize with them.

5 Analyze and act on your findings

The final step is to analyze and act on your findings from your accessibility testing. You should review and organize your data, such as notes, recordings, or screenshots, and identify the main themes, patterns, or issues that emerged. You should also prioritize and categorize your findings based on their severity, frequency, or impact, and create a list of recommendations or actions to improve your product or service. You should also communicate your findings and recommendations to your stakeholders, such as developers, designers, or managers, and involve them in the decision-making and implementation process. By analyzing and acting on your findings, you can ensure that your product or service is more accessible and usable for people with low digital literacy.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?