How can you incorporate accessibility and usability into your software design review process?

3 How to evaluate accessibility and usability?

To evaluate accessibility and usability, you need to use a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods that measure and observe how users interact with your software. Automated tools, such as Lighthouse or Axe, can be used to test your software against criteria like contrast, readability, navigation, or feedback. Manual testing, such as keyboard-only or screen reader testing, can also be conducted to check how your software works for different input modes and assistive technologies. Expert reviews, such as heuristic evaluation or cognitive walkthrough, can be used to assess your software against established principles and guidelines. Peer reviews, such as code reviews or design critiques, can provide feedback from colleagues or other developers on your software design and implementation. User research methods like surveys, interviews, or focus groups can be used to gather feedback from actual or potential users on their needs, preferences, and expectations. Usability testing methods like task analysis, observation, or think-aloud can help observe how users perform specific tasks with your software and identify any issues or difficulties.

4 How to incorporate accessibility and usability into your design review process?

To incorporate accessibility and usability into your design review process, you need to adopt a user-centered approach that involves your users throughout the design cycle. This includes defining user personas, scenarios, and goals that reflect the diversity and inclusivity of your target audience. You should also define accessibility and usability requirements, standards, and metrics that align with your business objectives and user expectations. Additionally, design your software with accessible and usable design elements such as color, typography, layout, or icons that are consistent, intuitive, and responsive. It is important to review your software design with users, experts, and peers using methods to evaluate its accessibility and usability. Collect data and feedback from testing, reviewing and researching activities to identify any gaps, errors or improvements. Lastly, iterate your software design based on the findings from your review process and repeat the review process until you achieve the desired level of quality and user satisfaction.

5 How to improve your design review process?

To improve your design review process, it's important to continuously monitor and measure your software accessibility and usability, as well as seek feedback from your users, experts, and peers. You can use tools and frameworks, such as A11y Project or Inclusive Design Toolkit, to help plan, execute, and document the review process. Standards and guidelines like WCAG or ISO 9241 can be used to define, design, and review software accessibility and usability. Additionally, feedback forms, forums, or chatbots can be used to communicate with users, experts, and peers for suggestions, opinions, or support for software design.

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?