UX Accessibility and Inclusive Design Research 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is 'alt text' and why is it important in accessibility research?
- Alternative color text for brand consistency
- A text description of an image that screen readers read aloud to non-sighted users (Correct answer)
- An alternative font style for headings
- A backup text that appears when a page fails to load
Correct answer: A text description of an image that screen readers read aloud to non-sighted users
Alt text enables screen reader users to understand image content; missing or poorly written alt text is one of the most common and impactful accessibility failures.
Question 2: What does 'focus indicator' mean in accessibility?
- A visual highlight showing which element is currently selected via keyboard navigation (Correct answer)
- An analytics metric tracking user focus time
- A usability lab lighting indicator
- A tooltip that appears on hover
Correct answer: A visual highlight showing which element is currently selected via keyboard navigation
A visible focus indicator—such as an outline around a focused button—is critical for keyboard users to know where they are on the page.
Question 3: What is 'cognitive accessibility' concerned with?
- The processing speed of the server
- Designing interfaces that are understandable and usable by people with cognitive disabilities such as dyslexia or ADHD (Correct answer)
- Measuring the cognitive load of the researcher
- Ensuring the product passes automated accessibility scans
Correct answer: Designing interfaces that are understandable and usable by people with cognitive disabilities such as dyslexia or ADHD
Cognitive accessibility addresses barriers faced by users with learning disabilities, memory impairments, or attention difficulties through clear language, consistent navigation, and error prevention.
Question 4: When conducting accessibility research, what is 'assistive technology (AT) testing'?
- Testing the organization's IT help desk tools
- Evaluating a product with screen readers, voice control, switch access, and other assistive technologies (Correct answer)
- Automated WCAG compliance scanning
- Testing AI-generated content for accuracy
Correct answer: Evaluating a product with screen readers, voice control, switch access, and other assistive technologies
AT testing involves using the actual tools that disabled users rely on—such as JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver, or Dragon—to find real-world accessibility barriers.
Question 5: What is the 'curb cut effect' in the context of inclusive design?
- A ramp accessibility feature required by US law only
- The phenomenon where accessibility features designed for disabled users benefit the broader population (Correct answer)
- A design pattern for dropdown menus
- A usability heuristic for mobile interfaces
Correct answer: The phenomenon where accessibility features designed for disabled users benefit the broader population
Like sidewalk curb cuts that help wheelchair users but also benefit cyclists and parents with strollers, accessible design often improves usability for everyone.
Question 6: What section of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is most relevant to digital product accessibility in the US?
- Title I (Employment)
- Title III (Public Accommodations) (Correct answer)
- Title IV (Telecommunications)
- Title V (Miscellaneous Provisions)
Correct answer: Title III (Public Accommodations)
Title III of the ADA, which covers public accommodations, has been interpreted by US courts and the DOJ to apply to websites and digital services.
UX Accessibility and Inclusive Design Research 2
What is 'alt text' and why is it important in accessibility research?