World Usability Day Scavenger Hunt

Curb cuts on a sidewalk

Curb cuts on a sidewalk allow for individuals in wheelchairs to easily move on and off of sidewalks. However, curb cuts did not always exist. Thanks to the disability rights movement and the tireless work of many advocates, most notably Ed Roberts, they became more prevalent over time. Curb cuts benefit more than just wheel chair users. They also help those transporting heavy packages, people pushing strollers, individuals using walkers, and more!

Braille on a sign

According to the American Council of the Blind, a blind man named Louis Braille invented braille, which is a system of touch reading and writing for blind persons in which raised dots represent the letters of the alphabet. Braille also contains equivalents for punctuation marks and provides symbols to show letter groupings. The Americans with Disabilities Act As Amended (ADAAA) requires that permanent rooms and spaces must have signs with raised characters and braille.

Ramp to get into a building

The history behind ramps is fascinating. Ramps provide necessary access to buildings for individuals who use a wheelchair. But, as with most thoughtful design keeping individuals with disabilities in mind, the ramp helps many more people! People pulling or pushing cargo, strollers, walkers, and more benefit from this design. Thanks to laws like the Americans with Disabilities Act As Amended (ADAAA) and the Architectural Barriers Act (ABA), ramps are more prevalent and provide equal access.

Accessible bathroom

According to Easter Seals Tech, there's a lot to consider when designing an accessible bathroom. It is important to determine and implement the appropriate legal measurements when installing lighting, sinks, grab bars, dispensers, and more. Designing with disability in mind creates a much more usable and safe experience for a variety of individuals with disabilities, not just those in wheelchairs.

Closed captioning on a TV

The history of closed captioning begins in the early 1970s when technology was just beginning to make captions possible. The first show to air captions was "The French Chef" on PBS in 1972. However, captions provide access to many more than the deaf and hard-of-hearing community. It is estimated about 80% of hearing individuals use captions on videos and social media because it is a preference! It helps those in crowded and noisy spaces, and aids individuals who are English language learners or who use English as a second language!

Door lever handle

The ADA National Network published a fact sheet called "Opening Doors to Everyone", which lays out the moral, ethical, and legal importance in creating accessible doorways. Levers are critical in ensuring access to a building, room, and/or space. Traditional round door handles require a hand and wrist that can grab, twist, and pull. A level allows for much more flexibility!

Truncated domes in a crosswalk

The United States Access Board requires truncated domes, also known as "detectable warnings", in specific places and of certain sizes to alert individuals who are blind or low vision about street crossings and hazardous drop-offs. These tactile bumps, usually yellow in color for high contrast, alert individuals using a cane (or by feeling underfoot) as they approach.

Automatic door opener

The first automatic door is thought to have been invented and installed in 1931 at Wilcox's Piers Restaurant in West Haven, CT. Initially designed for waitstaff carrying trays of food to and from the dining room, the automatic door expanded rapidly to supermarkets, stores, banks, and more. Eventually, the disability community took hold of this idea as part of accessible doorways, creating the switch (button) individuals can press to automatically open doors to gain access to a building, room, and/or space.

Height appropriate or adjustable desk/table

Ever wonder why some welcome desks are lower than others? Or, have you ever noticed a lever on some desks or tables that, when pushed, adjusts the height? The 2010 accessible design standards from the Americans with Disabilities Act support more than individuals in wheel chairs, but also allow for people or different heights to a access tools and services. Additionally, lower service desks allow people with fatigue to pull up a chair and sit. Inclusive design thinking benefits more than individuals with disabilities (whether permanent, temporary, or situational)!

Universal symbols to indicate important places

The United States Access Board supports the use of the International Organization for Standardization's work on ensuring the standardization of graphics and symbols used to communicate meaningful information, such as public information, safety information, signs, etc. This supports efficacy and efficiency of locating places like restrooms, gas stations, hospitals, and more. Standardization of graphics and symbols can aid people with cognitive needs or individuals who speak a different language in locating important places, services, and more.