Accessibility and Simulation Training
Bianca Prins, CPACC
Global Head of Accessibility @ ING, InCluencer, trailblazer, a11y rockstar & Special Advisor @ Billion Strong
A lot has been written about simulations, including several research papers like an often used reference Flower et all (2007. Still, I am missing an important nuance in these papers, especially since I have seen the positive sides of a well structured and guided simulation trainings. That is why I’d like to dedicate this month’s accessibility blog to simulations.
Two types of simulations
At first let us start with the distinction between the 2 types of simulations, because the difference is significant to understand the outcomes of the research into these trainings. Type 1) the obstacle simulation with low guidance, where participants are blindfolded, use a wheelchair for a short period and follow a few obstacles persons with disabilities experience. Primary goal of these simulations is creation of empathy for persons with disabilities and their requirements. Type 2) is the well-structured, simulation (training) assignments and tasks set by trainers and experienced experts, where a clear explanation is given about the expectations and goal of the training: learning about barriers, and the benefit of lived experts.
Good or bad?
I’m not a fan of the Type 1 simulations, with a soul purpose to create empathy for persons with disabilities. Because these training formats (in general) leave extensive room for play, misinterpretation, misunderstanding, and at risk of resulting in a negative empathy spiral of ‘poor people with disabilities.’ Instead of setting people with disabilities in their power.
I am pro Type 2 are simulations trainings, because these can be effectively combined with Design Thinking, the 7 Universal Design Principles approach/strategies. Designing accessible and disability inclusive products and services beyond standardized requirements such as WCAG, EN, or ISO. In these design approaches, and these include process development, it is important to be aware of the added value of persons with disabilities as lived experts in the early stages of design and development.
When are Type 2 simulation trainings most effective?
Are you working on the implementation of accessibility in your products, services, channels, and processes, either digital or physical, it is important to know about the barriers and how to best utilize lived experts. In the process of embedding accessibility into your design/development cycle, it is a perfect moment to host an experience training Type 2. By this training your teams can learn more about barriers, how to detect these and the importance of early involvement of persons with disabilities in design processes. Especially combined with a training/introduction into internal tools supporting this approach, in pursuit of embedding accessibility in your business. Based on this approach I co-designed the ING Accessibility Customer Journey Assessment, which is in essence a tool to embed accessibility in ING product development cycles.
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Conclusion
Simulations can never replace persons with disabilities, these trainings can only be used to create (as I call it) barrier awareness, and in extension bring the urge to the added value of lived experts in design/development cycles of products, services, channels, and processes. That is why I don’t recommend Type 1 simulations. I strongly advocate for Type 2 trainings in businesses to learn more about the barriers we created because people with disabilities where out of scope in so many product development cycles.
Closing this blog, in short: Simulations must be about learning when to embed accessibility and not about experiencing a disability, the first is about the barriers to breach and the second feels like going to the ZOO and that is not the way to become accessible.
Accessibility is the fast evolving business role to include people?with a disability in business. With LinkedIn #TheIncluencer articles Bianca is sharing insights on accessibility business opportunities, challenges and struggles towards a sustainable and disability inclusive world for all!
Writer by nature, learner by choice | Gold Medalist | Ex President Inclusive Student Society | Disability Inclusion | YLC21 |International Relations
7 个月I completely endorse what you said about empathy in type one simulations Bianca; I often find them to be counter-productive as post training we are considered fragile beings labeled: "Handle with care".
Founder Divyangkala | Motivational Speaker | Corporate Speaker | Counselor | Advisor | Leadership | Strategic Consultant | Actor | Dancer | Poet | #CerebralPalsy #SocialEntrepreneur #Inspirer #EmpowerDisabled
7 个月Bianca Prins, CPACC 2 make our community better, every1 should pick 1 issue while work on solving it instead of criticizing others or d government. It's about each person doing their part 2 find solutions, just like U . As the founder DivyangKala - The Talent House of Differently Abled People , I perceive d pursuit of inclusive environment 4 d disabled in India as a distant aim. Many confront hurdles in self-confidence & self-worth due 2 societal stereotypes ingrained frm childhood. Integrating special schools with regular ones cultivates empathy & enriches the overall character of individuals with disability. As some1 with #cerebralpalsy, I advocate 4 empowering d #disabledcommunity, affirming our capabilities. If every 10 people support 1 disabled person, notable strides could b achieved. Rather assigning blame, emphasize individual contributions 2 foster societal inclusivity. 1 goal of DivyangKala . is 2 ensure every willing disabled person in India has remote work opportunities. We strongly uphold the notion of not emphasizing 'DIS' in our 'ABILITIES' & r optimistic tht numerous multinational corporations ll endorse us. Plus, increased visibility of disabled in public spheres is imperative 4 fostering societal change.