A Stone Age Perspective on Modern Testing
Greetings from the Stone Age, my fellow time-travelers! This is Grug, a humble cave dweller who just took a wild trip to the future. Now Grug’s idea of testing involves whacking things with a stone bat to see if they hold up. If it breaks, it’s back on the drawing board. If it doesn’t, it’s good to go. Simple, right?
Fast forward to the future. Grug stumbles upon a world with something called “user testing” that’s making waves, especially in the world of accessibility gathering feedback, especially from those unfortunate tribe mates with chopped hands and plastered heads, you know. The concept is as foreign to him as fire to a fish (if you are the fish). Let’s walk Grug through the wonders of modern user testing and how it improves accessibility across various industries.
What in the name of fire and wheels is user testing?
In this new world, Grug learns that user testing is where people use a product or service and then share their experiences. It’s like when he tried using a new type of stone axe and told the tribe it was either great or rubbish, but somehow refined. Unlike his bat-testing days, this involves humans using their senses and giving feedback. Especially for accessibility, user testing involves people with disabilities using products and services to see if they work well for them to make things better and more accessible to everyone.
Real-Life Examples from Various Industries
Let’s look at some fascinating examples from different industries where user testing by people with disabilities has made a massive difference. Trust me, it’s more exciting than watching the paint dry on a cave wall.
Digital and IT
Smartphones are like magic rocks that do everything, but they’re not useful if you can’t use them.
- Smartphones and Apps: Grug sees a company like Apple using feedback from visually impaired users to improve VoiceOver, a screen reader that describes what’s on the screen. This helps blind users navigate their phones.
- Websites: Amazon conducts usability testing with users who have mobility issues. They find that some buttons are too small for those who can’t use a mouse and redesign their site for better keyboard navigation.
Example: Emily, a user with limited dexterity, tested the latest iPhone. Her struggles with small touch targets resulted in Apple introducing more accessible touch options, such as AssistiveTouch, which lets users customize their touch experience.
Transportation
Back in Grug’s day, the most advanced transportation was a rolling log.
- Cars: Ford invites people with disabilities to test their vehicles. Feedback from drivers with limited mobility leads to innovations like adjustable pedals and hands-free controls.
- Public Transport: The London Underground collaborates with wheelchair users to improve station accessibility. Their feedback results in more ramps, lifts, and tactile paving.
Example: During a testing session, a user who is deaf pointed out that visual alerts for stop announcements were inconsistent. Transport for London (TfL) implemented more reliable visual systems, making it easier for all passengers to navigate.
Retail
Imagine trying to barter for berries when you can’t see if they’re ripe.
- Supermarkets: Tesco works with autistic shoppers to create a ‘Quiet Hour’ with dimmed lights and no music. This makes the shopping experience less overwhelming.
- Clothing Stores: Marks & Spencer asks people with dexterity issues to test their clothes. They develop adaptive clothing with easier fastenings.
Example: Sarah, who uses a wheelchair, visited a local Target store and found that many aisles were too narrow for her to navigate comfortably. Additionally, she had difficulty reaching items on higher shelves. Target widened the aisles, lowered some shelves, and placed helpful staff in key areas to assist customers. These changes not only improved the shopping experience for Sarah but also made the store more accessible for parents with strollers and elderly shoppers, creating a smoother and more inclusive environment.
Hospitality
Back in Grug’s day, hospitality meant sharing a fire and some freshly hunted game.
- Hotels: Marriott consults with guests who have disabilities to improve room accessibility. They add features like roll-in showers and lower sinks.
- Restaurants: Starbucks invites customers with hearing impairments to test their service. This leads to innovations like picture menus and sign language training for staff.
Example: A guest named Betty, who uses a wheelchair, tested a new Marriott room design and found that the bed height was too high for her to transfer easily. Marriott took this feedback and adjusted the bed heights across their accessible rooms, making it more convenient for wheelchair users.
Entertainment
Entertainment ain’t just for folks who can run, jump, and see perfectly.
- Video Games: Naughty Dog, the creators of The Last of Us, involves players with disabilities in their testing. Their feedback results in extensive accessibility options like customizable controls and visual aids.
- Cinemas: AMC Theatres works with deaf and hard-of-hearing patrons to improve captioning devices. This allows more people to enjoy movies.
Example: A family with a child who has autism tested a new sensory-friendly program at Disney World. They provided feedback on what worked and what didn’t, leading Disney to implement quiet zones, lower sensory attractions, and staff training to better accommodate guests with sensory sensitivities.
Conclusion
By the end of his journey, Grug realizes that user testing and feedback, especially from those with disabilities, isn’t just some futuristic fad. It transforms products and services, making them accessible and enjoyable for everyone, like discovering the Zippo lighter conquering the omnivorous fire. This new way of testing is far more advanced than his stone-age methods and holds the key to a more inclusive world.
So, whether you’re a modern-day innovator or a stone age caveman, the lesson is clear: listening to everyone, especially those with different needs, leads to a better, more accessible world. After all, a tool is only as good as its user’s ability to use it.