Understanding Usability and Accessibility
What is Usability?
Usability
metric of how the technology or system suits everybody
Usability refers to the ease with which a user can interact with a system or product to achieve their goals. It can be measured via several key aspects:
- Effectiveness: How well does the system enable users to achieve their goals?
- Efficiency: How quickly can users complete tasks using the system?
- Satisfaction: How pleasant is the user experience?
- Usability is not limited to software.
- It applies to any product or system, including websites, applications, and physical devices.
Why is Usability Important?
- User Satisfaction: A usable system leads to a positive user experience, which in turn increases satisfaction and loyalty.
- Efficiency: Users can complete tasks more quickly, reducing frustration and increasing productivity.
- When designing a system, always consider the user's perspective.
- Test your design with real users to identify and address usability issues early.
- Can you identify examples of good and bad usability in products you use daily?
- How might poor usability impact a business or organisation?
Common Usability Problems
Usability problems can be analysed using the following criteria:
- Complexity/Simplicity: How easy is it for users to find solutions?
- Effectiveness: Does the system meet predefined performance levels?
- Efficiency: How quickly can users complete tasks?
- Error Handling: How well does the system prevent and recover from errors?
- Learnability: How quickly can new users become proficient?
- Memorability: Can users easily remember how to use the system after a break?
- Readability/Comprehensibility: Is the information easy to read and understand?
- Satisfaction: How do users feel about the system after using it?
Some common usability problems may involve:
- Complex interface/navigation:Â Users struggle to find the target page or function in poorly organised menus
- Lack of Feedback: Is your username just wrong, or is it the password?
- Inaccessible Design: Small icons and buttons make them harder to press
- Lack of Error Handling:Â Imagine making a transaction in an online bank, and the program just freezes randomly
- Poor Localisation: No option to choose the language is available
- Unclear Instruction: What am I even supposed to type in the form?
Common Usability Problems in digital devices and their potential fixes:
Personal Computers (PCs):
- Complex Interfaces: Menus confuse users → Use clearer layouts
- Accessibility Issues: Standard inputs may not suit all → Offer alternatives like voice control
- Health Concerns: Long use can cause strain → Promote ergonomic setups
When designing interfaces, prioritise clarity and simplicity to enhance user experience.
Mobile Phones:
- Small Keyboards: Hard for big fingers/eyesight → Voice input or bigger keys
- Feature Overload: Too many unused functions → Allow customisation
- Battery Life: Short lifespan frustrates users → Optimise software, add power-saving modes
- Feature overload can overwhelm users.
- Focus on core functionalities and allow customisation.
Digital Cameras:
- Complex Menus: Settings are hard to find → Simplify UI with icons
- Small Buttons: Difficult to press → Use touchscreens or larger buttons
- Connectivity Issues: Transfer needs special software → Enable wireless or drag-and-drop
- Think of a digital camera's interface like a car dashboard.
- It should provide essential controls at a glance, without overwhelming the driver with unnecessary information.
Game Consoles:
- Portability Challenges: Battery life & visibility issues → Improve power and screen
- Complex Controls: Hard for casual players → Add tutorials and custom layouts
Customizable controls can significantly enhance the gaming experience for players with diverse preferences.
MP3 Players
- Limited Controls: No screens confuse users → Add voice or gesture feedback.
- Fragility: Easy to damage → Use stronger materials and cases
- Consider the environment in which the device will be used.
- For example, MP3 players designed for exercise should be sweat-resistant and easy to control on the move.
- Can you identify a usability problem you've encountered with a digital device?
- How would you apply the criteria above to analyse and improve that device?
What is Accessibility?
Accessibility
metric of how the technology or system suits people with some sort of disability
Accessibility refers to the design of systems that can be used by everyone, including people with disabilities. It ensures that technology is inclusive and usable by a diverse range of users.
Accessibility is not just about compliance, it's about creating systems that empower all users to interact with technology effectively.
Accessibility is essential not only for physical disabilities, but also for mental disabilities, for instance, adding reminders for users with ADHD.
It is essential to distinguish between usability and accessibility!
Why is Accessibility Important?
- Inclusivity: Ensures that all users, regardless of ability, can access and benefit from technology.
- Legal Compliance: Many countries have laws requiring accessible technology, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in the United States.
- Ethical Responsibility: Designing accessible systems reflects a commitment to social responsibility and equality.
Key Accessibility Methods
Methods to improve the accessibility of the system:
- Touch Screens: adjustable interface for needs
- Voice Recognition: hands-free input
- Text-to-Speech (or vice versa) Technologies: allows for the visually and auditorily impaired to communicate data
- Braille Keyboards: allow the visually impaired to input data
These methods are designed to address various disabilities, such as visual, auditory, and motor impairments.
To what extent should technology companies be held accountable for ensuring their products are accessible to all users?
Usability and Accessibility in Practice
Ergonomics
The design of products or systems to optimise human comfort and performance (efficiency)
- User-Centered Design
- Involves users throughout the design process to ensure the system meets their needs.
- Prototyping and Testing
- Create prototypes and conduct usability and accessibility testing with diverse tester groups to identify and fix issues before full implementation.
- Iterative Design
- Continuously refine the system based on user feedback and testing results.
Broader Implications of Usability and Accessibility
- Social and Ethical Considerations:
- Poor usability and accessibility can exclude certain user groups, including the elderly and individuals with disabilities.
- Ensuring accessibility is a key ethical responsibility for designers.
- Economic Impact:
- Devices with poor usability may lead to decreased sales and increased support costs.
- Investing in user-friendly design can enhance customer satisfaction and loyalty.
- Environmental Considerations:
- Devices with short lifespans due to usability issues contribute to electronic waste.
- Designing durable, easy-to-use products can reduce environmental impact.
- How does the design of technology shape our interactions with the world?
- What ethical responsibilities do designers have to ensure usability and accessibility?
- How do cultural differences influence perceptions of usability? Consider how design choices might need to adapt for different regions or user groups.
