Overview
When designing for websites and mobile apps it’s extremely important to design for all types of users. All users should be taken into consideration especially those with certain disabilities including visual, mobility, hearing, and cognitive and language when developing for web or mobile applications. We want to make sure that our product is Accessible and can be used by any user. Accessibility refers to the ability of all users regardless of disabilities to successfully use the product. There are many different types of accommodations that can be used by those with disabilities:
• Hardware devices/ Operating system screen readers
• Assistive technologies
• Website/mobile application adaptions
By taking all users into consideration we are ensuring that the product holds up to the standards of Universal Design. Universal Design makes sure that all intended users are equally satisfied with their needs of the application or website. In order to make sure that zillow.com follows universal design and is equally accessible for all users, there are some laws and guidelines to follow. By law we are to adhere to the US Access Board’s standards for Section 508 compliance, and to follow the W3C (World Wide Web Consortium) web standard guidelines for web accessibility WAI (Web Accessibility Initiative). The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines version 2.1 (WCAG2.1) give us five categories:
1. Perceivable
2. Operable
3. Understandable
4. Robust
5. Conformance (Optional)
Within these five categories there are three success levels in which the product is tested. Those levels are named A(minimal compliance) - AAA (Maximum Compliance) and each hold their own criteria that the website or mobile app must successfully meet. As a user experience professional, it is in my best judgment that we should adhere to these guidelines.
Justification
Zillow.com should be accessible for all users because we as a company believe in helping all of our users access the features of website: buying, renting, selling, Home Loans, and Agent Finder. It is important that we create an equal website for all and not restrict anyone from using or accessing our features. Following the WCAG 2.1 guidelines allows us to provide a website that satisfies the needs for those with disabilities. Improving the usability for those with disabilities allows them to participate and does not restrict them from accessing all the information we provide for users.
The last point I’ll touch upon and the most important reason for why zillow.com should be accessible to all, is empathy. Imagine you have had the ability to have crystal clear hearing all of your life, but recently it’s not what it was before and you find out you have extreme hearing loss. The doctors give you a hearing aid which gives you the ability to hear clearly again and does not restrict you from living a normal life. In this example the hearing aid is like us adapting accessibility for the website. It allows us to provide those with disabilities a way to participate and does not restrict them from successfully using Zillow.
Critical Aspects for Accessibility
In order to provide minimal standards (Level A) of accessibility for Zillow, there are critical aspects that we need to follow from the guidelines. I will go over certain standards that need to be met for four categories of the WCAG 2.1 guidelines. This summary comes from the WCAG 2.1 website guidelines.
Perceivable
1. Providing text alternative for non-text content. Example: Images
2. Providing captions and other alternative for multimedia. Example: Music and video
3. Have content that can be presented in different ways without losing meaning. Example: Color
4. Make it easier for users to see and hear content. Allow users to successfully navigate website without using a mouse.
Operable
1. Make all functionality available from keyboard.
2. Give users enough time to read content.
3. Don’t use content that causes seizures or physical reactions.
4. Help users navigate and find content.
5. Make it easier to use imputes other than keyboard. Example: Select hardware.
Understandable
1. Make text readable and understandable, for those who’re visually impaired.
2. Make content function in a predictable way.
3. Help users avoid and correct mistakes. Make sure users are satisfied.
Robust
1. Maximize compatibility with current and future user tools. Example: Java
Specific Changes
I will address specific changes to the design, development and testing processes that are recommended for zillow.com. We will conduct code-checking testing with tools such as WAVES and PowerMapper to see what coding issues are on the site. We will also be conducting accessibility testing, which will be the most reliable method of getting results. Through accessibility testing we set tasks and create scenarios for participants to perform to see if they are successful at them or not. We will work with participants who are visually or audibly disabled and have them perform set tasks on their own assistive technology devices. By performing both code testing and accessibility testing we will be able to gather enough data in order to make Zillow accessible for everyone.
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