Accessibility

“Accessibility” entails more than enabling baseline product use or adhering to the letter of business, federal and international guidelines. Unfortunately, many organizations offer products that enable a minimal degree of utility for persons with disabilities but that fail to provide efficient, robust, or satisfying use. In contrast, we focus on “Usable Access” and “Access for All,” believing that a truly accessible product makes all of its functionality available to all audiences regardless of their capabilities or limitations.

We routinely design for and conduct research with persons who have cognitive or physical disabilities, use assistive technologies, are aged, or who have low literacy skills. We have developed a unique understanding of the ways in which these populations interact with websites, software, hand-held computing devices, physical spaces, kiosks, public transit systems, and a variety of assistive technologies.

We also have a deep understanding of how to identify and locate specific populations, invite them into our studies, and ensure their comfort and safety as they participate. We maintain relationships with a variety of language interpreters (ASL, tactile, foreign language, and signed-English) and CART system providers in order to ensure accurate and efficient communication with blind, deaf, low vision, and hard-of-hearing participants. We also maintain professional relationships with accessibility thought-leaders and advocates such as the WGBH National Center for Accessible Media, with whom we partner to make impactful change.

Benefits

  • Demonstrates how special populations really interact with assistive technologies and products.
  • Establishes the accessibility of products, in situ and across delivery mediums
  • Determines compliance with Federal, international, or best practice accessibility requirements
  • Supports an understanding of the complexity of disability populations and their unique information needs, requirements, and preferences.

Recent Examples

  • For the WGBH National Center for Accessible Media, we served as an evaluation partner supporting the creation of Federal standards for ensuring the accessibility of national and local emergency alert broadcasts. We conducted focus groups, workshops, usability tests with blind, low vision, deaf, and hard of hearing populations.
  • We routinely conduct accessibility reviews to ensure website and Web-based application compliance with Federal accessibility regulations and W3C WAI best practices.
  • We hold an “Aging By Design” conference at Bentley College.