All language subtitles for 31 - Shabi - Consider assistive technologies when working in design systems

Hi, I'm shabby.

I'm an interaction designer at Google.

I designed digital experiences for
people just like you, by understanding

your needs and people with disabilities.

Because I work in design systems,
I work at the component level.

So I really have to understand how people
with disabilities interact with buttons

and other features within your interface.

And in order to do that, you really have
to understand the assistive technologies

that they're using and actually engage
with people who have disabilities.

Assistive technology really helps
augment one's ability by creating.

In interaction between your interface and
then the technology that they're using.

So to ground this a bit, there's something
called a screen reader, which typically

helps someone who has limited vision.

And what it will do is read
aloud the content on the screen.

And this could be also reading aloud,
the different types of interactive.

When someone is using a screen reader,
they might hear cancel button and

that'll help them understand the purpose
or role of that interactive element.

The advice I'd give someone who's
interested in designing for accessibility.

To reach out to your local communities.

There are tons of independent
living facilities.

You have friends and family who
may or may not have a disability.

And it's really about getting the
conversation going in, showing that

you care by putting yourself out there.

And that's exactly what I did when I was
still learning and trying to create my

own projects for people with disability.

I think some of the frustrations
that I experienced when designing for

accessibility, especially when this is
a collaborative effort is oftentimes

accessibility is a patchwork solution.

You might think of it at the end
because your product needs to launch.

And therefore you want to meet
certain guidelines that are expected.

However, it shouldn't be that way.

You should be considering people with
disabilities upfront because oftentimes

when you design with them first, you
extend that solution to a lot more people.

Accessibility is important because it
creates an equitable experience for

one who would normally not have one.