So, you’ve just finished the “Conducting user research with people with disability” course and want to know what you could focus on next to continue expanding your knowledge?

Assistive technology videos

A series of short videos demonstrating various assistive technologies in action.

Inclusive language

Interacting with people with disabilities

Avoiding harmful language

Additional resources

Cheat-sheet for testing

Overall

  • Be friendly, courteous but try not to be condescending.
  • Use inclusive language.
  • Avoid abelist and potentially offensive language.
  • Do not ask people about their disabilities unless they volunteer the information and invite questions.

Preparing script and materials

  • Make sure you are testing the right people at the right time.
  • Ensure and testing artefacts have a baseline level of accessibility before usability testing.
  • Break each task into short statements.
  • Use plain language.
  • Include a replay of the task to review the experience.

When you begin the session

  • Introduce all people on the call or in the room.
  • Break the ice with some chat.
  • Let the participant know the intended approach.
  • Ask about their preferred communication methods.
  • Ask if they have any other considerations/needs.
  • Reassure them that this is not a test about them.
  • Ask them to share screen and share audio (in the case of screen readers).
  • Ask if they are happy to ‘talk aloud’ during the tasks – some people may not be able to.
  • Introduce the first task.
  • Before proceeding, ask if the task makes sense, needs clarification.

During the session

  • Be ready to repeat the task as often as needed.
  • If the participant cannot proceed with a task, do not try to force it.
  • Look out for signs of frustration, fatigue.
  • If you have concerns, feel free to ask them if they want a break.
  • Be prepared with backup tasks – in case things do not go as planned.
  • At the end of the task or session, open up a discussion – use the time to learn more!

At the completion of the task

  1. Could I ask you to rate the difficulty for the task we just conducted? I’d like you to give a number between 1 and 5, with 1 being very hard, and 5 being very easy,
  2. Where there any aspects about the task that you found difficult or frustrating?
  3. Do you have any suggestions about how any aspect of this task could be improved?

Sample task-based user testing script

Hello, [participant name]

My name’s [moderator], and I’m going to taking you through this session.

Joining me in this session are [introduce other attendees]

[Add any warm-up conversation as needed]

I’d like to begin by thanking you for making time to provide your insights to us. Your feedback is valuable and will help us determine if our website functions as intended.

This session should take around [duration] mins. If you need a break or to stop at any time, please let me know.

During this session, I’ll ask you to share your screen and go through a few tasks using the website we’re evaluating.

We often ask participants to “think aloud”. This involves participants describing what they’re looking at and what they’re trying to do.

However, some people find “thinking aloud” to be distracting. Would you like to “think aloud” as you go through the process, or would you like to discuss your thoughts after completing each task?

[Wait for answer]

I will be explaining each task as we go. Would you like to have the tasks announced verbally, via Teams chat or both?

[Wait for answer]

Thank you. And I am happy to repeat tasks any time you need.

Is there anything else that I could provide to make this session easier for you?

[Wait for answer]

Please be aware that there are no wrong answers. In fact, this is probably the one place today where you don’t have to worry about making mistakes!

Also, please don’t worry that you’re going to hurt our feelings. We’re doing this to improve the site, so we’d love to hear your honest reactions.

Do you have any questions before we start?

[Wait for answer]