Using Task-Oriented Walk Throughs for Accessibility Reviews

When doing a WCAG review with a keyboard user in mind, WCAG prompts us to ask the following questions. Can I use a keyboard to do everything? As I tab through the screen, can I see which component has focus? Is that focus logical and consistent? It does not ask how easy it is to complete a task using a keyboard. Can the task be done efficiently and comfortably? Does it take minimal effort to complete a task?

Enter the task-oriented walk though method.

In this presentation, we will guide you through the steps to conduct task-oriented walk throughs by adopting personas with different user needs, and trying to complete key tasks as if you were the user. We’ll show you how this technique is equally useful at the design stage to help avoid potential issues before usability testing is possible, as well as to understand the experience in existing products.

Presenter Bio

Sarah Pulis has worked in digital accessibility and inclusive design for over 10 years. She founded Intopia over 4 years ago with Adem Cifcioglu and Stewart Hay, which is now the largest digital accessibility consultancy in Australia and New Zealand. She loves sharing her passion for accessibility with everyone, and helps organisations create culture and process that supports accessible practices. She is also founder of A11y Bytes and A11Y Camp, which have grown to be Australia's largest events on digital accessibility and inclusion. She's also one of the organisers for the Sydney Web Accessibility and Inclusive Design meetup.