Overview
Feel is a verb that can have different meanings depending on the context used, the user, the perceiver, and the experience.
‘Feel’ as used in this blog post considers people with disabilities in various ways, especially their experiences in terms of sensation, how they perceive objects, contents, and technologies, and their views about them, how they use objects, technology, and how they feel about them.
When the verb ‘feel’ is used in accessibility, it includes sensation, describes emotions, elicits opinions, uncovers things, and appreciates quality.
To further illustrate this, the import of how people with visual impairments use their fingers to learn and know by using braille will be key to understanding the verb ‘feel.’
Accessibility – Feel as sensations
Sensation is part and parcel of human emotional and physical experiences. How do braille users, for example, experience knowledge through touch or other sensory nerves? In this case, the feeling is physical. They touch, they feel, and they know.
Braille for example is a mechanism with raised dots that allows people with visual impairments to read and write. People with visual impairments or people who are blind use their fingers to feel the shape of the dots and by so doing know each word or number they encounter.
Accessibility – Feel as describing emotions
If the technology is not built in such a way to be completely accessible, then the perception of braille users on the technology will elicit bitter experiences. When it is built right, it engenders happy and golden paths. It is error-free and brings the users a delightful and satisfactory experience.
In this case, technology can evoke different emotions for different users. It can provoke the user’s state of mind and can result in feelings of unhappiness, frustration, or disappointment.
The first signage can be said to consider only those who can see the image and recognize the shapes as representing males and females.
The second has images of a male and a female, a description, and braille dots. The second image is inclusive and both people without and with disabilities can use the facility.
Based on the two images, if people with visual impairments especially those who use braille to access information visit the facility where the first image is affixed to its door or wall, they will wish that the facility be universally accessible.
Though, the second signage example is accessible, it is not completely inclusive. A mother carrying a baby who wants to change the baby's diapers may find it difficult to do so in such a facility. A wheelchair user may not be comfortable in such a facility that only makes provision for people without disabilities.
Let's consider a toilet facility that is not only accessible but also equitable.
This signage does not say what it is by description. They are symbols that are generally recognizable, however, it still excludes some users. Consider the next signage.
The difference is clear. Signage (d) is inclusive. It has tactile symbols, description, and braille. So, the four restroom or toilet signages are different and communicate different information. Signage (b) is better than signage (a), signage (c) is better than signages (b, and a), signage (d) is better than signages (c, b, and a), and so will the emotions of different users of the facility.
Having said that, there are other toilet or restroom signages that are not included in this blog post that exist, namely 'all gender' restroom, 'gender neutral' restroom, 'male and female ambulant' restroom. They also matter to different users. Providers are encouraged to make room in their facilities to include every user as a matter of business culture or value.
Accessibility – Feel as eliciting opinions
Jiheon Song argued, “We are not going to make any progress if we carry on designing for people when they are nowhere near the design process.” According to Molly Long, Song advocates for making people with disabilities co-designers of the products they use.
In this case, the feelings of people with disabilities are not considered when products are designed. Their voices are not heard or when heard are neglected. A one-size-fits-all approach is an indication that people with disabilities are not consulted when products are being designed; the implication is that they are construed as having no opinion about products that they would use all the time.
Accessibility – Feel as locating
When products are manufactured that are designed without an equal balance of inputs from people with disabilities, such products are bound to discriminate against 15% of the world’s population.
In this case, feeling is viewed from the perspective of touching something to find out something about it.
The person feels the cane, and the leash of their dog and gets them. Holding their cane and dog’s leash, the dog leads the way, and the person follows.
In this case, the touch is to know or relish the experience of independent living.
Accessibility – Feel as appreciating quality
With a single touch, you can determine the quality of an object. With a touch, people with visual impairments can recognize someone’s face. They can acquaint themselves with things unfamiliar and they become familiar.
The verb ‘feel’ makes us know something in a personal way. When a braille user feels dots of braille, they are personalizing the content, the object, or the technology. When they personalize content, objects, or technology, those things become familiar; they are likable, they are enjoyable and useful.
Therefore, the next time you design a product or service, remember the verb ‘feel’ and consider how it can influence accessibility.
Comments