How can you choose the right user group for accessibility testing?

Accessibility testing is a crucial part of designing user-friendly and inclusive products. It helps you identify and fix potential barriers that might prevent people with disabilities from accessing or enjoying your product. But how do you choose the right user group for accessibility testing? Here are some tips to help you find and recruit the most relevant and representative users for your accessibility testing.

1 Define your accessibility goals

Before you start looking for users, you need to define your accessibility goals and criteria. What are the main features and functions of your product that you want to test for accessibility? What are the common accessibility issues or challenges that you want to address or avoid? What are the standards and guidelines that you want to follow or exceed, such as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) or the Section 508 Standards? By defining your accessibility goals, you can narrow down your user group to those who are most likely to benefit from or be affected by your accessibility testing.

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Shivam Sahu 🎯

Ascend Now || Ex - AccioJob || Ex - Edbrand || IIT Delhi 2019
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As a first step, it is important to clearly understand what accessibility means for your product. Will you optimize for blind users and those with motor impairments or focus on overall conformance to standards like WCAG 2.1? Define priority areas and tailor your test group to align.

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2 Segment your user group by disability type

Accessibility testing is not a one-size-fits-all approach. Different types of disabilities may require different types of testing methods, tools, and accommodations. For example, users with visual impairments may need screen readers, magnifiers, or high-contrast modes, while users with motor impairments may need keyboard navigation, voice control, or alternative input devices. Therefore, you should segment your user group by disability type and recruit users who have the specific disabilities that match your accessibility goals. You can use the categories of disabilities defined by the WCAG, such as auditory, cognitive, neurological, physical, speech, or visual disabilities, as a reference.

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Shivam Sahu 🎯

Ascend Now || Ex - AccioJob || Ex - Edbrand || IIT Delhi 2019
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I recommend striving for diversity in your test group across different disability types. Include those with visual, hearing, mobility, and cognitive impairments. Get feedback from users of assistive technologies like screen readers, magnifiers, and alternative input methods.

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3 Consider the diversity and variability of your user group

Accessibility testing is not only about testing for specific disabilities, but also about testing for the diversity and variability of your user group. People with disabilities are not a homogeneous group; they have different preferences, needs, experiences, and contexts. For example, some users may have multiple or complex disabilities, some may use assistive technologies or adaptive strategies, some may have acquired or temporary disabilities, and some may have different levels of familiarity or comfort with your product. Therefore, you should consider the diversity and variability of your user group and recruit users who reflect the range and complexity of your target audience.

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Sumaiya Kabir

Senior Business Systems Administrator | Corporate Services | NSW Department of Communities and Justice
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Agree with this point. Some users may have temporary disabilities. Some users maybe senior citizens who would need to increase the font size to read properly. But accessibility also means the type of content you are producing. Is it too hard to understand? Who is the target audience? Are you using jargons? The trick is to simplify the content as much as possible. Target an early teen. Not all your users have English as their first language. Add them to the user group, too.

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Shivam Sahu 🎯

Ascend Now || Ex - AccioJob || Ex - Edbrand || IIT Delhi 2019
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I did a course on Design and innovation during my college days. I learned from that project that it is essential to go beyond disability to get diversity in tech familiarity, age, gender, and other factors. Test with users new to your product as well as experienced ones. Try to include mild, moderate, and severe impairments for each disability type.

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4 Use multiple sources and methods to find and recruit users

Finding and recruiting users for accessibility testing can be challenging, especially if you have a niche product or limited budget or time. Nevertheless, there are multiple sources and methods that you can use to find and recruit users. For example, you can use online platforms and communities that connect you with disabled users or contact organizations and groups that advocate for people with disabilities. Additionally, you can look to existing customers or users who have provided feedback related to accessibility, as well as referrals or recommendations from other users or experts. Finally, incentives or rewards can motivate users to participate in your accessibility testing.

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Shivam Sahu 🎯

Ascend Now || Ex - AccioJob || Ex - Edbrand || IIT Delhi 2019
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Leverage existing disability networks, local nonprofits, social media outreach, and professional recruiting firms to find qualified candidates. Make the testing quick and simple to encourage participation. Regarding testing, numerous methods could be adopted based on user suitability. Keep a diversity in testing methods to get more diverse groups and results.

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5 Plan and conduct your accessibility testing ethically and respectfully

Finally, you should plan and conduct your accessibility testing ethically and respectfully. You should respect the privacy, dignity, and autonomy of your users and obtain their informed consent before testing. You should also provide clear and accessible information and instructions about the testing process, purpose, and expectations, and allow users to opt out or withdraw at any time. You should also ensure that your testing environment, tools, and tasks are accessible, comfortable, and safe for your users, and that you provide any necessary accommodations or support. You should also communicate and interact with your users in a friendly, polite, and empathetic manner, and thank them for their time and feedback.

By following these tips, you can choose the right user group for accessibility testing and improve the quality and usability of your product for everyone.

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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?

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Shivam Sahu 🎯

Ascend Now || Ex - AccioJob || Ex - Edbrand || IIT Delhi 2019
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Test early, test often. Session length, activities, and scenarios should reflect real-world use cases. Analyze results for patterns and prioritize fixes thoughtfully. Be sure to close the loop with users when changes are implemented.

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How can you choose the right user group for accessibility testing?

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1 Define your accessibility goals

2 Segment your user group by disability type

3 Consider the diversity and variability of your user group

4 Use multiple sources and methods to find and recruit users

5 Plan and conduct your accessibility testing ethically and respectfully

6 Here’s what else to consider

Design

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How can you choose the right user group for accessibility testing?

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 Define your accessibility goals

2 Segment your user group by disability type

3 Consider the diversity and variability of your user group

4 Use multiple sources and methods to find and recruit users

5 Plan and conduct your accessibility testing ethically and respectfully

6 Here’s what else to consider

Design

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