Practising inclusivity through user-centric design and e-accessibility

Logos, colours, design patterns – these are features we commonly use to distinguish the multiple cards in our wallets. But what if we could no longer see the designs of these cards? How would we differentiate them?

Mastercard’s solution came in the form of differently-shaped notches, which were added to different cards according to their function. This simple innovation allowed persons with visual impairment to distinguish the cards easily.  

Mr Alvin Tan, our Head, Technology Catalyst, brought up this example of user-centric inclusive design during his talk as part of GovTech Singapore ’s Accessibility Awareness Week (A11y Week 2022) on 18 May. He was invited by the GovTech Accessibility Enabling Team (A11y Team) to share about inclusive design and assistive technology, which are closely related to accessibility.

Inclusive design is done with the needs of a specific target group in mind (e.g. Mastercard’s innovation for persons with visual impairment). He encouraged attendees to go one step further and incorporate a universal design approach, which aims to provide one solution to meet the needs of everyone. Curb ramps, for instance, are an example of universal design as they not only benefit wheelchair users, but also are essential for cyclists, people pushing trolleys, and many others.  

Assistive technology (e.g. screen readers for persons with visual impairment, eye trackers for persons with physical disabilities) is a key component of improving accessibility for persons with disabilities. Through the use of adaptive solutions and equipment, users with disabilities can have the same digital experience as other users.

Besides assistive technology, creating e-accessible content is fundamental to ensuring a barrier-free user experience for persons with disabilities. The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) provide four foundational principles (‘POUR’) for you to create content that can be accessed by everyone:

• P: Perceivable – All information and user interface components must be presented to users in perceivable ways (e.g., providing alternative text for images and captions for videos).
• O: Operable – All user interface components and navigation must be operable (e.g. all website functions should be accessible using keyboard controls unless it is a function like freehand drawing).
• U: Understandable – All information and user interface operations must be understandable (e.g. text content should be clear and readable, rather than acronym/jargon-filled; web pages should appear and operate in predictable ways).
• R: Robust – All digital content must be able to be interpreted reliably by a wide variety of user agents, including assistive technologies, and remain accessible as technology advances (e.g. web applications should include features for alternative inputs like voice commands).

Inclusive designs can be incorporated in many ways, in products like the cards in our wallets, the design of our physical environments and various forms of digital content. What matters is to have a focus on user-centricity and an understanding of the needs of persons with disabilities. These will inspire effective designs that can lower barriers and help persons with disabilities live more independently. 

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SG Enable invites like-minded partners to join us in improving accessibility for persons with disabilities. If you are interested to partner with us, drop us an email at [email protected].