How can you use accessibility personas and scenarios to improve healthcare website design?

1 What are accessibility personas and scenarios?

Accessibility personas and scenarios are based on the principles of user-centered design, which means that you design for the people who will use your website, not for yourself or your stakeholders. Accessibility personas and scenarios are not meant to cover all possible disabilities or situations, but to illustrate some of the common challenges and goals that your users may face. For example, you may create a persona of a senior citizen with low vision who wants to book an appointment online, or a scenario of a parent with a hearing impairment who needs to find information about a child's condition.

3 How to create accessibility personas and scenarios?

There is no one right way to create accessibility personas and scenarios, but here are some general steps that you can follow. First, you need to do some research and gather data about your target users, their disabilities, their tasks, and their environments. You can use various methods, such as surveys, interviews, analytics, or observation. Second, you need to analyze the data and identify the common patterns and themes that emerge. You can use techniques such as affinity mapping, persona grouping, or user journey mapping. Third, you need to synthesize the data and create the personas and scenarios. You can use templates, tools, or examples to guide you. A persona should include basic information, such as name, age, disability, and device, as well as more detailed information, such as goals, needs, pain points, and preferences. A scenario should include a situation, a task, and a desired outcome.

5 What are some best practices for accessibility personas and scenarios?

Accessibility personas and scenarios are not static, but dynamic and evolving. To ensure they are effective and relevant, you should involve real users and experts in their creation and validation. Additionally, update them regularly based on new data and insights. Furthermore, use a diverse and representative sample that reflects the variety and complexity of your users, avoiding any stereotypes or assumptions that may lead to bias or exclusion. Finally, use a clear and consistent format and language that is easy to understand and use. By applying these best practices to your healthcare website design, you can create a more accessible, usable, and engaging online experience for your users, regardless of their abilities or situations.

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?