UI facilitators and barriers

guis, touchscreens, gestures, video, speech to text, help & support, experience

Mick McQuaid

University of Texas at Austin

28 Aug 2025

Most technologies …

and interaction models require accessibility design thinking

Usability + Accessibility = user delight

GUIs

Facilitator: Screen reader support

Barrier: No screen reader support

designing for screen readers

GUI accessibility

Touch/Tactile Screens

Facilitator: Big touch targets

Barrier: Small touch targets

accommodations for multitouch

Gesture Input

Facilitator: Intuitive interaction model for performing a task (pinch to zoom)

Barrier: No alternative input mechanism for people with limited dexterity

accommodating watch gesture differences

Video & Rich Media

Facilitator: Rich storytelling medium

Barrier: No closed captions

Speech to Text / Speech Commands

Facilitator: Ease of text input and hands-free interaction

Barrier: Need alternative interaction model for speech and audio I/O

speech to text on a smartphone

Help & Support Considerations

Providing accessible instructions and support

Training on AT and accessibility features

Experiences

Testimonials from people with disabilities

Simulation tools/techniques for design and testing

a typeface for dyslexia

designing for anxiety

designing for autism

designing for dhh

designing for dyslexia

designing for low vision

designing for motor disabilities

END

Colophon

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