Usability in civic life

Whitney QuesenberyWQusability.com and Usability in Civic Life

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In 2000...

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2005 2006 2008 2012

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Usability

The ability for the intended audience to use a product or service in the anticipated context of use efficiently, effectively, and with satisfaction.

- ISO 9241-11

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Disability

The outcome of the interaction between

a person with an impairment and the

environment and attitudinal barriers they

may face.

- International Classification of Functioning (ICF)

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Accessibility

The usability of a product, service, environment, or facility by people with the widest range of capabilities.

- ISO 9241-20

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The POUR Principles of Accessibility

Perceivable

Operable

Understandable

Robust

W3C – Web Accessibility Initiative

Web Content Accessibilty Guidelines: WCAG 2.0

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Plain language

People canfind what they needunderstand what they finduse the information

to meet their goals

- Center for Plain Language

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Many barriers to cognitive accessibility

are the same as usability problems for

general audience…but more severe.

- Clayton Lewis

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Design for all

A web for everyone

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New York City - 2010

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Real, human, and political

consequences

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Investigate problems

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Changing the conversation

Design the law

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Changing the conversation

Design the law

Ballot design by Oxide Design Co. More information at Usability in Civic Life: http://www.usabilityinciviclife.org/a-better-ballot-for-ny/

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Better instructions

for everyone

(1) Mark only with a writing instrument provided by the board of elections. (2) To vote for a candidate whose name is printed on this ballot fill in the (insert oval or square, as applicable) above or next to the name of the candidate.(3) To vote for a person whose name is not printed on this ballot write or stamp his or her name in the space labeled “write-in” that appears (insert at the bottom of the column, the end of the row or at the bottom of the candidate names, as applicable) for such office (and, if required by the voting system in use at such election, the instructions shall also include “and fill in the (insert oval or square, as applicable) corresponding with the write-in space in which you have written in a name”).(4) To vote yes or no on a proposal, if any, that appears on the (indicate where on the ballot the proposal may appear) fill in the (insert oval or square, as applicable) that corresponds to your vote.(5) Any other mark or writing, or any erasure made on this ballot outside the voting squares or blank spaces provided for voting will void this entire ballot.(6) Do not overvote. If you select a greater number of candidates than there are vacancies to be filled, your ballot will be void for that public office, party position or proposal.(7) If you tear, or deface, or wrongly mark this ballot, return it and obtain another. Do not attempt to correct mistakes on the ballot by making erasures or cross outs. Erasures or cross outs may invalidate all or part of your ballot. Prior to submitting your ballot, if you make a mistake in completing the ballot or wish to change your ballot choices, you may obtain and complete a new ballot. You have a right to a replacement ballot upon return of the original ballot.(8) After completing your ballot, insert it into the ballot scanner and wait for the notice that your ballot has been successfully scanned. If no such notice appears, seek the assistance of an election inspector.

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The Anywhere Ballot

University of Baltimore, CivicDesigning, Oxide Design Co. A project of the

Accessible Voting Technology Initiative

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So everyone can cast

a ballot that is...

Marked as intended

Cast as marked

Counted as cast

An election for everyone

No segregation

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It’s not just ballots

Polling place signs

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It’s not just elections

Medicare Summary Notice

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It makes government more efficient

Public Records Request

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Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

Mortgage informationwww.consumerfinance.gov/knowbeforeyouowe

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From advocacy to a

place at the table

Photos: mtstcil.org and ITIF AVTI/CATEA

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Policy by design

Inclusive workshops

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Policy by design

Crowdsourcing innovation

OpenIDEO.com – Accessible elections challenge

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Tools and processes for

user-centered design

Courtesy, Open University

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Sharing stories

creates relationships

From Storytelling for User Experience

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Get involved Be a superhero.

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Whitney Quesenberywhitney@wqusability.comhttp://www.wqusability.com

Usability in Civic Lifehttp://usabilityinciviclife.org

Field guides to ensuring voter intenthttp://civicdesigning.org

Twitter: @whitneyq

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Storytelling for User Experiencewith Kevin Brooks

Global UXwith Daniel Szuc

A Web for Everyonewith Sarah Horton