WebAIM - Web Accessibility In Mind

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Re: Usability vs. Accessibility

for

From: Whitney Quesenbery
Date: Mar 24, 2016 8:09PM

I agree with so much that has been said here.

But just as I urge UX teams to understand accessibility more by opening up
their research to a more inclusive view of "users," I also urge folks here
to think about what expertise in fields like interaction design,
information architecture, HCI, and user research (to name a few) can bring
to a better understanding of accessible UX.

We need teams that are inclusive - bringing together the important bodies
of knowledge that support excellent user experience.

On Wed, Mar 23, 2016 at 11:35 AM Moore,Michael (Accessibility) (HHSC) <
<EMAIL REMOVED> > wrote:

> The thing that I try to keep in mind is that to the user who cannot find
> the information, use the service or complete a transaction on you
> application it just doesn't matter whether it is a "usability" or an
> "accessibility" issue. As an accessibility coordinator I regularly receive
> calls from people without disabilities who cannot use our web services
> because of technical problems or "usability" issues. They call me because
> they cannot "access" the service. When someone cannot access a service
> because a "usability" problem or combination of usability problems prevents
> them from accessing the service, and when those problems prevent access for
> people with disabilities in a disproportionate manner, then the
> organization may be discriminating against people with disabilities under
> the Americans with Disabilities Act if the service is being provided in the
> US. If the organization receives Federal funding for the program or service
> then they may also be violating section 504 of the rehabilitation act. 504
> does not just apply to education.
>
> Mike Moore
> Accessibility Coordinator
> Texas Health and Human Services Commission
> Civil Rights Office
> (512) 438-3431 (Office)
>
>