"Nobody thinks about things that don't concern them—and that's okay"

Contents:

• What is the current state of interface accessibility?
• About accessibility in the public sector, business and various industries
• How to properly test a product for accessibility
• How interfaces are tested at VTB
• Why people with different life experiences shouldn't be ignored
• Is it easy for people with disabilities to agree to test a product?
• About the mistakes of designers and developers
• About the most complex interface
• How Telegram corrects its mistakes and makes an application accessible
• About optical image recognition
• What designers and developers need to do to improve the accessibility of interfaces

Vadim is an expert in non-visual accessibility at VTB Bank and the head of mobile application testing. As a blind user, he provides valuable recommendations for improving the bank's services and services, ensuring their accessibility for people with disabilities.

During the conversation with Vadim, we discussed the product testing process at VTB, the accessibility of digital services and services for people with visual impairments in Russia, and the influence of designers on improving this accessibility.

In this interview, you will receive information about:

• the most inaccessible interface for the blind,
• why you shouldn't rely on automated testing,
• a program that has greatly facilitated the lives of the blind,
• seven mistakes designers and developers make that irritate.

What is the current state of interface accessibility?

Modern websites have undergone significant changes over the past 15 years. When comparing the average website of the past with today's resources, the difference is clear. Previously, websites were characterized by simple design and functionality, with fewer visual elements and animations, making them more accessible. Today's websites are characterized by complex structures, abundant animation, and unconventional technical solutions. This necessitates a special focus on accessibility, as many modern developments require additional refinements to ensure user convenience. Similar changes are also observed in mobile applications. If you remember what Symbian platform applications looked like in 2008-2009, when it was at the peak of popularity, and compare them with current applications, it becomes obvious how much this field has evolved.

Every company strives to improve the accessibility of its products. Many organizations successfully implement standards and specifications, demonstrating their knowledge, experience, and resources. However, there is always a need to improve and expand accessibility capabilities. This desire is natural and normal for any business.

Accessibility of services and goods for people with disabilities is an important issue that depends not only on the specific country but also on the individual factor. The level of accessibility is largely determined by companies' interest in this issue and their willingness to invest in improving conditions for all users. Legislative initiatives also play a significant role, which can both facilitate and hinder the development of accessibility. Effective interaction between business and government is key to creating an inclusive environment where everyone can have equal access to services and products.

About accessibility in the public sector, business, and various industries

Government agencies are obliged to comply with laws and requirements, which leads to faster implementation of accessibility compared to business. Company executives often ask: why invest in accessibility if they believe this audience does not generate profit? However, on the other hand, ensuring accessibility for people with disabilities is becoming a relevant trend, and large businesses strive to follow modern trends. Investing in accessibility can not only improve a company's image but also open up new markets, which will bring benefits in the long run.

Creating an accessible interface, application, or website requires significant resources, including human and financial costs. It cannot be assumed that simply writing correct code guarantees accessibility. Even with a high level of professionalism, accessibility should be considered a separate process that requires attention and effort. Investing in accessibility not only improves user experience but also expands the audience, which ultimately impacts the project's success. Small and medium-sized businesses have limited resources, but are highly flexible and proactive. They readily engage with partners and clients, understanding the goals and needs of their business. While larger companies often become less agile and adaptive, small and medium-sized businesses are able to quickly respond to market changes and consumer demands, making them competitive. Complex interfaces are most often found in areas such as space technology, gas production, and oil production. However, it is worth noting that the audience with such specific needs is not widespread.

IT giants are actively working to ensure the accessibility of their products, creating integrated ecosystems. A striking example are instant messaging apps and social networks, which have evolved from being completely inaccessible to users with disabilities to a point where their functionality has become partially or almost completely accessible. This progress in accessibility is an important step towards creating an inclusive digital environment.

How to Properly Test a Product for Accessibility

To ensure maximum product accessibility, it is important to use manual testing. This approach allows you to identify and eliminate issues that may hinder users with disabilities. Manual testing helps ensure that all interface elements comply with accessibility standards, which in turn improves the overall user experience. Proper testing contributes to the creation of an inclusive product, accessible to all categories of users.

Automated testing can create the illusion that all aspects of the project have been considered and implemented correctly. However, in practice, new problems may arise and unaccounted nuances may be revealed. Therefore, it is important that interface accessibility is checked not only by automated systems, but also by usability experts and representatives of the target audience. Testing with their participation will allow for a deeper understanding of the real needs of users and improve the overall user experience.

Nowadays, large companies recognize the importance of the target audience for the successful development of their products. In this regard, they actively involve representatives of various groups, including people with visual impairments, in testing their solutions. Such examples are becoming increasingly common. Even if a product is accessible to users, it cannot be said with certainty that representatives of the target audience worked on its development. This remains at the discretion of internal company teams, which decide on the inclusion of the relevant groups in the development process.

How interfaces are tested at VTB

At VTB, all teams working on digital products actively work to ensure accessibility. In addition, we have a specialized team focused on accessibility issues. We understand how an interface should function and what measures must be taken to ensure its accessibility. Our goal is to create convenient and intuitive solutions for all users, including those with disabilities.

Our team maintains a clear division of testing areas. Each specialist performs tasks in their area of ​​expertise, which ensures high efficiency and maximum usefulness. Whenever there is a need to discuss different opinions, we gather to collectively select the optimal solution. Collaborating on tasks leads to higher-quality results due to the diversity of ideas and approaches. We believe that teamwork contributes to the improvement of the final product and increases the overall level of testing.

During the process, we collaborate with both the designer and the developer. If errors are discovered during testing, we describe them in detail and forward them for correction. Regression testing is then performed to verify the fixes. Critical errors that block functionality are fixed first, while less important defects are fixed according to a pre-established plan. This approach ensures high product quality and minimizes risks.

Our comments are perceived by the designer and developer as mandatory rules that must be followed. Accessibility is not just a recommendation, but a strict requirement. It is a critical aspect that should be considered at every stage of development. Ensuring accessibility helps create an inclusive product that will be convenient for all users, including people with disabilities.

Why People with Different Life Experiences Can't Be Ignored

When creating accessible interfaces, designers and developers often forget about the users for whom these interfaces are intended, based on their own competencies. This is not a criticism of specialists, but a reminder that one person's understanding does not always correspond to another's. Different audiences have their own patterns, habits, and levels of experience, which affect how they perceive the interface. It's important to consider these differences to ensure a truly accessible and convenient product for all users.

Plastic cards are becoming increasingly unnecessary in 2021. Not only do they create additional inconvenience, but they also require users to perform unnecessary actions. The constant need to carry a card is becoming burdensome, especially when modern technology offers more convenient solutions. Payment systems available on smartphones and smartwatches allow you to link cards and make purchases without the need for a physical card. This makes the use of plastic obsolete and ineffective. Given all the benefits of digital payments, it's worth reconsidering the need for plastic cards.

Many people have difficulty understanding the process of linking a card to a phone. There are concerns that money can be stolen and that the mobile device is untrustworthy. These feelings are completely natural, as each of us has our own experience and perception of technology. However, it is important to note that modern security systems provide a high level of protection, and linking a card to a phone can significantly simplify financial transactions.

Is it easy for people with disabilities to agree to test a product?

Disability is not a profession, but a characteristic inherent to a person. This can be compared to the question of whether eye color affects mathematical ability. There is no direct correlation between these factors. There are talented mathematicians with both brown and gray eyes. Success in the profession depends on many other criteria, including education, diligence, and personal qualities.

Disability is not an indicator of expertise in any field. Even if a person has a disability, this does not mean that they have the necessary knowledge and skills to assess accessibility. Product testing should be performed by qualified professionals with the appropriate experience and expertise.

About Designer and Developer Mistakes

A common mistake in interface design involves the lack of clarity of controls. These can include buttons, sliders, checkboxes, and other interactive components. The user sees the element but cannot determine whether it is a button, a heading, or something else. This leads to confusion and reduces the usability of the interface. To avoid such misunderstandings, it is important to clearly indicate the functionality of each element using visual and text cues.

Websites often have interface errors that cause user frustration. For example, a common problem is the presence of a checkbox or a checkbox button without a clear label. When you open the interface, you see a window title and several buttons, but they are unlabeled, making them difficult to use. Screen readers don't recognize these unlabeled elements, forcing the user to guess their functions, which causes inconvenience. While these buttons can perform actions, open new screens, and launch various functions, the lack of clear labels makes interacting with the interface difficult. Improving the accessibility and usability of these elements will help avoid misunderstandings and improve user satisfaction.

I am experiencing a frustrating issue. I frequently use an app to control a specific electronic device. While I can easily see the device settings in the app, I am unable to locate the app settings. My screen reader does not recognize these interface elements, making them inaccessible to me. This creates significant difficulties in using the application and limits its functionality. It is important that application developers consider interface accessibility to ensure that all users can interact effectively with the software.

Errors related to unlabeled clickable elements are particularly critical. These elements provide the user with an opportunity to interact, and by examining the interface, they can understand how to work with them. At the same time, if something is completely inaccessible, it will remain so, even if it is absolutely necessary to use this element. Properly formatting and labeling clickable objects significantly improves the user experience and increases the accessibility of the interface.

Errors can occur in the most unexpected places, especially in situations where you rely on the element to function smoothly. Such failures, although rare, can significantly impact your work or project. It is important to be prepared for the unexpected and think through possible solutions in advance.

In some cases, users may not realize the presence of certain elements in the application. For example, a sighted person might come up to you and say, "You have a box you click and this appears." However, for a visually impaired user, this box may be inaccessible because the interface lacks a screen reader-compatible element. This underscores the importance of interface accessibility for all users, regardless of their physical abilities. Ensuring the accessibility of content and controls is a key aspect of app development that must be considered to create an inclusive user experience. Proper website markup is critical for accessibility and SEO. A common mistake is to highlight page headings solely through visual styling. A sighted user may see the heading visually, but to a blind person using a screen reader, it's not a heading. Technically, it's just text without semantic markup. Screen readers work with the page's code, reading it and converting it into user-friendly information. Therefore, it's important to use proper HTML tags for headings to ensure content is accessible to all users.

If an element doesn't have the appropriate role assigned, it will be treated as plain text. This is a common mistake on both websites and mobile apps. Developers often assume that having a heading is sufficient, arguing, "We have a heading, what else do we need?" However, without proper markup, this heading is simply a visual element with no functional value. Proper use of roles improves the accessibility of content and ensures its correct perception by users with disabilities.

A common problem is that hyperlinks contain too much text, while it is necessary to limit it to keywords or phrases. In some cases, hyperlinks can take up two entire sentences, which not only impairs readability but also negatively impacts SEO. Hyperlink optimization improves text structure and increases its effectiveness in search engines. It is recommended to use concise and informative anchor texts that accurately reflect the content of the page the link leads to.

The example of a news site shows what a long and difficult-to-read link looks like: "At 16:15 in the village of such-and-such, the water was shut off until September 22. Read more." In this case, all the information is presented in a single link, which is not optimal. Long links make the text difficult to read. The correct solution is to embed the link only in the word "Read more." This will not only simplify comprehension but also make the text more readable and user-friendly. Optimizing links improves user experience and has a positive impact on SEO.

My experience shows that modal windows can be readable and easy to use. Once a modal window opens, it is easy for the user to understand its content and interact with it in the usual way. However, in practice, this is often not the case. Many modal windows create difficulties for users, making it difficult to perceive information and interact with it. It's important to consider usability and readability principles when designing modal windows to ensure a positive user experience and improve interaction efficiency.

Modal windows often pose a challenge for screen reader users due to a lack of adherence to accessibility standards. As a result, screen readers may fail to detect these windows or fail to provide access to important information. In some cases, users may encounter a situation where they cannot close the modal window, which creates additional difficulties. For accessibility, it is important to follow best practices when designing modal windows to ensure that all users, including those with visual impairments, can effectively interact with the content.

Images in photographs typically do not have captions. When viewed through a screen reader, they are interpreted as "photograph," and image links may appear as ABCDE.jpg. To ensure better content accessibility and improve SEO, it is recommended to add alt attributes to images that describe their content. This will help screen reader users better understand the context of the images and also improve the visibility of the pages in search engines.

Many web pages often lack image captions, which negatively impacts SEO. As a result, such images are perceived not as informative elements, but simply as strings of characters, such as gthdfjruglci.jpg. Instead of using file names that don't convey useful information, it's important to add descriptions that accurately reflect the image content. Properly formatted alt and title attributes not only improve a site's visibility in search engines but also make content more accessible to users, including those using screen readers. Optimizing your images with relevant and informative descriptions is a vital step to improving the quality of your web page.

About the most complex interface

There is specialized software for musicians known as Native Instruments. To use it effectively, you need to use the JAWS for Windows scripting language, which allows you to train your screen reader to interpret the program's interface elements. Without this training, working with Native Instruments becomes virtually impossible.

When analyzing technical aspects, it is important to consider what elements are used in the interface: standard or developed from scratch. Interfaces based on more familiar operating system components have a much higher chance of being accessible to users. While products created using unique elements may encounter difficulties in perception. It's a kind of lottery: if the interface doesn't work, it's not successful. If it works, it's a success.

How Telegram fixes its mistakes and makes the application accessible

Telegram is a striking example of a messenger with a high level of accessibility. It is interesting to note that the Telegram team initially did not plan to pay attention to accessibility issues, considering them insignificant. However, the situation has changed, and now the Telegram mobile app has gone from being completely inaccessible to being usable by people with various needs. This transformation makes Telegram one of the most accessible messengers on the market, which has a positive impact on its popularity and user experience.

The iOS mobile app now features chats and channels. Users can manage their channel using assistive technologies, making the app more accessible and convenient for everyone.

Despite existing issues, such as inaccessible elements and difficulties with content consumption, it is important to note that work on improvements is ongoing. Development is ongoing, and the team continues to strive to improve the user experience.

About Optical Image Recognition

Optical character recognition (OCR) has become a real breakthrough in the field of information accessibility and simplification of everyday life. This technology converts text data contained in images into an editable and searchable format. With OCR, users can easily extract text from documents, books, photographs, and other sources, significantly speeding up the process of working with information. The use of OCR opens up new opportunities in education, business, and personal life, enabling the quick and efficient processing of large volumes of data. FineReader is a program that recognizes text from images and converts it into an editable format. In recent years, OCR technologies have been actively integrated into screen readers, significantly improving interaction with inaccessible interface elements. Furthermore, apps using similar technologies have emerged that can recognize colors, objects, and text. These can be used, for example, to find out what is written on a product label. These innovations make information more accessible and simplify everyday tasks for users with disabilities.

What designers and developers should do to improve interface accessibility

Designers and developers should not be criticized for mistakes in creating interfaces, as they genuinely care about the product their audience uses. People often do not think about problems that do not concern them, especially if neither they nor their loved ones have similar difficulties. For example, no one starts the morning thinking about the sick and does not wonder how to provide them with the necessary medications. This is natural behavior, but it is important to remember that creating user-friendly and accessible interfaces is of great importance to users, especially those who face various barriers.

It is important to raise awareness of interface accessibility among developers and designers. A culture focused on the needs of users with disabilities is needed. It's important not only to comply with legal regulations but also to understand how to make the digital environment more accessible for everyone. This requires a shift in cultural perception, where accessibility becomes an integral part of development. Some developers create high-quality code from the start, minimizing errors, which already contributes to the product's accessibility. While this approach doesn't guarantee a perfect result, it makes the product usable and comfortable for a wider audience. A commitment to inclusivity should be at the core of interface design, ensuring that every user can easily interact with digital services.

Perform your work with high qualifications, quality, and competence. These are key factors for success and customer satisfaction. By ensuring a professional approach to every task, you not only enhance your reputation but also contribute to business growth. Focus on thorough execution of tasks to ensure the best results and build trust in your services.