Girls Who Code At Home

Accessible Design
 About 15% of the world’s population has a disability, including but not limited to
physical, cognitive, visual, hearing, or neurological disabilities. Over the next two
activities we will learn the importance of accessibility when designing technology, and
how we can incorporate simple, but impactful changes to expand the reach of a
product. In part 1 we will focus on where we might have encountered assistive
technology in the physical world. (Spoiler alert: you might find that all technology is
assistive.) Additionally, you will have the opportunity to modify an everyday object, a pencil! In part 2,
we will explore accessibility in digital spaces, and learn how to make websites more accessible for
people who use assistive technology like a screen reader, motion detector, voice to text software, etc.

Learning Goals Materials

By the end of this activity you will be able to... ➔ Paper
❏ describe different types of accessibility needs ➔ Pencils, Pens, or Markers
and design considerations. ➔ Timer (phone, clock, microwave, etc)
❏ use the design process to redesign an ➔ Optional: Digital Copy of Prototype
everyday object to make it more accessible. Feedback Form

Prior Knowledge
➔ No prior knowledge needed!

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 Haiyan Zhang
Imagine what you could do if you could invent anything in
the world. Where would you start? Who would you talk to?
Haiyan Zhang asks herself similar questions each day. As
a result, she's created innovative technology! Haiyan
currently serves as the Innovation Director at Microsoft
Research. She also co-founded OpenIDEO and appeared
on BBC’s invention series Big Life Fix.

After researching Parkinson’s disease, Haiyan invented a

tremor-reducing watch called ‘Project Emma’ to help
people with Parkinson’s write and draw. She drew
inspiration from her conversations with people with
Parkinson’s and her previous experiences with creating
Image Source: Twitter biomedical applications.

Watch the video about Haiyan's projects at Microsoft. In the clip, you'll watch Haiyan show off
some of her creations that solve a particular issue, including a voice recording machine, a
radiation sensor, and a video game for kids with cystic fibrosis. Haiyan also shares her tips on
becoming a successful inventor!

Reflect
Being a computer scientist is more than just being great at coding. Take some time to reflect on how
Haiyan and her work relates to the strengths that great computer scientists focus on building -
bravery, resilience, creativity, and purpose.

Do you have any family members, friends, or neighbors with a special

physical need? What might you build with technology to help improve their
day-to-day life?
CREATIVITY

Share your responses with a family member or friend. Encourage others to read more about Haiyan
to join in the discussion!

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Step 1: Considering Accessibility (5 mins)
Warm Up (2 mins)
Before we begin learning about accessibility and how it affects your everyday life, take 2 minutes to reflect
on our question of the day and write out your response in the space below.

How do people use technology to adapt to different environments/spaces?

This open-ended question does not have a right or wrong answer. In fact we encourage you to share
this question with friends and family and see how their responses differ from yours! At the end of this
activity we will revisit the question to see how your answer might have changed.

What is accessibility? (2-3 mins)

The term accessibility can be broken down as the ability for everyone to access. When
thinking about accessibility, many people often only think about modifying technology
to benefit people with disabilities. This is a large misconception because accessibility
benefits all of its users regardless of ability. In this activity, we will explore and
compare different accessible designs and breakdown the key components of
accessibility that creates a better experience for everyone.

Over the course of history, people have designed environments - physical or digital - based on what
they believe is a “normal”, average person. This idea of “normal” comes out of research from 19th
century scientists, most of whom were able-bodied men who used themselves as a baseline to define
“normal”. If you think this sounds like a problem, you would be right! Accessibility is often not
considered or minimally implemented in a design. Companies often provide excuses such as it is “too
hard” or “too expensive”. These misconceptions arise because the importance of accessibility is not
widely discussed.

In this activity we will use the terms “people with disabilities''. It's important to keep in mind that this
includes a spectrum of different physical and/or cognitive abilities, some that might be permanent and
some that might temporary. It is important to remember that each individual has their own preferences
on how they would like to be referred to, so be sure to ask! In general when using language around
others we focus on ability and not limitations. Remember that a disability does not define a person.
Check out the ADA’s website for guidelines for writing about people with disabilities.
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Step 2: Observe Accessible Designs (5-10 mins)
There are many pieces of technology (physical and digital) that were originally
designed to accommodate individuals with disabilities. Many of these accessible
designs have been transformed to everyday products that everyone uses. Let’s take a
look at two examples.

Pull-Down Door Handle Automatic Door Opener

Image Source: Henry & Co. on Unsplash Image Source: Nicolas Steenhout

To open this door, a person would only need to The automatic door opener was first introduced
use a little force to push down the handle, then to make it easier for people who use a
push or pull the door. Compare this to a door wheelchair or other assistive movement
knob that a person has to rotate. This is much technology to enter and exit a place. However
easier to use! this automatic door opener has helped parents
pushing a baby stroller, people with their hands
full of groceries, etc.

Take a moment to reflect on the following statement:

When designers, engineers, programmers, etc. plan for accessibility at

the start of a project, it benefits everyone.

Do you think this statement is true or false? Why? Think about the two examples of assistive technology
and think about how these pieces of technology have changed your own personal life and how you
interact with the environment around you.

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 Take a look around your home, take a walk around your neighborhood, or simply think
about the familiar spaces around you (i.e your school, park, or favorite store).

Set a timer for 2 minutes to jot down some examples of accessible design in these
spaces.

➔ Example: Ramps, speech recognition technology , etc.

In each of the examples you wrote down, who do you see using these items? Is it a specific group of
individuals? You may have noticed that items of accessible design are inclusive of all individuals
regardless of ability.

Curious about other assistive technology? Check out Nicholas Steinhout’s article
on the Evolution of Assistive Technology into Everyday Products.

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Step 3: Learn about different types of disabilities (5 mins)
There are many different types of disabilities that can be grouped into five
different categories: visual, auditory, motor, cognitive, and vestibular. It is
important to note many generalizations have been made for different types of
disabilities, but individuals may have different experiences that are unique.

Type of
Description
Disability

Visual Visual disabilities may include blindness, low-vision, and even color-blindness.
Those who require glasses, or some sort of corrective lens also fall under this
category.

Auditory Auditory disabilities affect a person's ability to hear. They may use hearing aids
or use a form of sign language to communicate.

Motor Motor disabilities affect muscle control (i.e movement in the limbs). These are
many various types of injuries or conditions that may affect motor control
including injury to the limbs, spine, or brain.

Cognitive Cognitive disabilities may have challenges with memory, attention, or learning
differences.

Vestibular People who have vestibular disabilities are sensitive to fast movement and/or
lighting (i.e flickering, flashing, or strobing lights).

We encourage you to learn more about the different types of disabilities and their unique
strengths and challenges. Check out these resources:

➔ Australian National University

➔ WebAIM: Web accessibility in mind

➔ Aruma

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Step 4: Take the Pencil Challenge (25-30 mins)
Let’s take our accessible design knowledge to the next level and start re-designing an
everyday object: the pencil. Did you know that the very first pencil was invented around
the 1960s and was designed with a long rectangular graphite rod and wood that was
stacked on top of each other. Since then, the pencil has changed significantly to its
appearance now with
wood wrapped around graphite and the hexagonal shape to prevent pencils
from rolling off the table! However, despite all of the modifications the pencil
has had throughout the years, it’s design makes it still difficult to use for many
people. It’s slim profile requires fine-motor skills to hold and write with. Let’s
take a moment to focus on potential pain points or issues that someone
might have when using a pencil. Image Source: Brain Pickings

Know your audience (5-8 mins)

Tip: As you think about designing for
When designing or redesigning an object, you want to keep in
accessibility, it might be more
mind who you are designing for and the reason you are
helpful to think of it as asking
designing it. Take a moment to think about the different types questions instead of solving a
of disabilities you learned about in the last step. Choose one to problem that a person has.
focus on, then answer the questions below

➔ Who are you designing for? Describe the person you have in mind - it can even be
someone you know. You can be as detailed as including their age, interests, hobbies, etc.

➔ How often do they use a pencil? Why might they need to use a pencil? How do
they use the pencil in its current state?

➔ What properties or characteristics make the pencil difficult to

use? What are their current pain points? Is there a product out there that they use as an
alternative instead?

➔ Which sense(s) does this person rely on the most? Touch, sight, smell,
hearing, or taste?

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Brainstorm ideas (8-10 mins)

In this section, you will consider possible issues or struggles that your audience has
when they use the pencil,then brainstorm ideas to make these issues better. Keep in
mind that the sky's the limit! Don’t just think about technology you are familiar with or
have invented already. Think big and focus on what type of functions your new ideas
will introduce.

Follow the steps below:

1. Set a timer for 2 minutes to fill in the first column of the table below to brainstorm issues your
audience might have using a pencil. Write down as many as you can!

2. Set a timer for 1 minute to review what you have written. Make note of issues that are related,
then make edits to your descriptions and add any additional information.

3. Set a timer for 5 minutes to fill in ideas on how you might address each of the issues in the last
column. If your design solution addresses multiple issues, be sure to make a note of this in your
table. Feel free to also write multiple ideas for a single issue!

Issues Design Solutions

What parts of the design of the pencil makes it What can you design to address the issue? What functionality would be
difficult to use? helpful? How can you highlight the use of their dominant sense?

1. Example: Thin and slender body Example: Create a thinking cushion around the body of the pencil
that will allow for easier grip and require less motor skills to grab.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

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Design it! (8-10 mins)

It’s time to start sketching up a prototype. A prototype is an early representation of a

product that allows designers to test an idea quickly. This can be in the form of a
quick sketch on paper, a digital model of the product, or even a physical model of the
product. You will create a prototype of your pencil on a piece of paper to share with
others.

Remember, that your ideas may use technology that may not have been invented yet, but don’t let that
stop you! Include descriptions of what the technology does and how you envision it might look. Depending
on your ideas, you may choose to use the pencil sketch on page ___ as a base of your prototype or start
completely fresh with a blank piece of paper on page ___. It is up to you!

1. Print off at least 2 of each of the prototype papers (page ___ or page ___) we will be drawing
multiple sketches.

2. Open up to your ideas table on page ___. We will be using this table to add components onto our
prototype.

3. Set a timer for 5 minutes. These are quick sketches just to get your brain flowing with ideas! Try to
complete at least 2-3 sketches during this time. They do not have to include full ideas and
descriptions.

4. Look back and reflect. Take a look at all of your prototypes and pick on that you like the most.
Think about why you are drawn to this prototype in general, maybe because the design is more
sleek or maybe it addresses the most issues.

5. Set a timer for 3 minutes. It’s time to refine your prototype. During this time check back with your
ideas table to see if there is more you can add. Maybe there were parts of your other prototypes
that you want to incorporate in your design as well. Add notes to your prototype about function if it
is not clear in your drawings. Feel free to also add color!

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Inclusive Design: Pencil Prototype

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Inclusive Design: Pencil Prototype

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Test it! (5 mins)

Now that your first prototype is completed, the next step is to get feedback on your
design.

1. Start off by giving context. Discuss who you were designing for and how
you envision they would use your product.

2. Show don’t tell! Don’t explain too much about your product, it’s best to let your prototype speak
for itself. Ask your testers to explain what they are thinking as they view your prototype.

3. Follow up with questions. Create a list of questions that you want to know more about from
your testers. Here are some starting questions you might want to include:

➔ Do you feel like this product would be easy to use?

➔ What parts of the design do you think would be difficult for people to use?
➔ Are there other products out there that might be good to compare with? What are some
of the pros and cons of these products compared to this design?

4. Thank your tester and reflect on their feedback. After interviewing your tester don’t forget to
thank them for their time! Take an opportunity to reflect on their feedback and take down notes
on how you might use their feedback to improve your design.

Tip: It is important to get a variety of testers and not just one group of people
that have similar experiences. It is equally important to test with people who will
be using your design whenever possible!

Don’t forget to take notes as you interview your testers. We recommend using a
similar template like the one on page 14. Feel free to also edit this digital copy of
prototype feedback form.

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Prototype Feedback Form
Optional: Digital Copy of Feedback Form

Design: Pencil Modification

Date:
Tester:

Comments During Testing:

Questions:

➔ Do you feel like this product would be easy to use?

➔ What parts of the design do you think would be difficult for people to use?

➔ Are there other products out there that might be good to compare with? What are some of the
pros and cons of these products compared to this design?

Reflection:
➔ Did any of the feedback surprise you? Why or why not?

➔ How will you integrate the feedback into a future iteration of your design?

➔ Did you get the feedback you wanted? Why or why not?

➔ How would you run your testing differently next time?

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Step 5: Wrap Up (2-4 mins)

Thinking about accessible design as we create new products is extremely important.

Let’s take a moment to revisit our question from the beginning of the activity.
Set a timer for 2 minutes and answer the question below..

How do people use technology to adapt to different environments/spaces?

Take a moment to reread your response from the beginning of the activity and compare it to your
response now. Think about how your response may or may not have changed and why. Remember
that when designers, engineers, programmers, etc. plan for accessibility at the start of a project, it
benefits everyone.

In this activity we explored inclusive design by redesigning an everyday object, the pencil. We highly
encourage you to check out ongoing design challenges posed by the Adaptive Design Association
(ADA). This non-profit organization helps to create custom adaptations for people with disabilities,
develop a nurturing community, and educate others about adaptive design. Check out their
#AlwaysAdapting activity, especially their clear masks activity and all about easels challenge.

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Step 7: Share Your Girls Who Code at Home Project! (5 mins)
We would love to see your work and we know others would as well. Share your
prototype sketch and feedback questions with us! Don’t forget to tag
@girlswhocode #codefromhome and we might even feature you on our account!

Look out for our next Code at Home activity on Website Accessibility!

Stay tuned for more Girls Who Code at Home projects!

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