Being confronted with the full list of accessibility requirements can be overwhelming. Thinking of all of them during testing can be hard. However, these requirements are not just abstract rules—they represent the needs of real people. So why don’t we think of these people instead of Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) success criteria? The idea is not to replace WCAG but rather changing the way we think about them.
Over the years trainings, social media, and real life have given me insight into the diverse challenges people face. Bit by bit requirements turned into user stories for me. Conversations around accessibility issues changed from compliance to user impact. Understanding the personal stories behind accessibility guidelines helped my colleagues and me recall the success criteria. An added positive effect of this human-centered approach is that it encourages thinking beyond ticking WCAG boxes. Note: Bad user experiences are still bad even if they are legal.
Come along and discover how embracing the human side of accessibility testing can lead to more inclusive digital products while making your testing easier at the same time.