Textured Phone Buttons

Did you know that people with disabilities use technology dramatically less than those without?

According to a report by the Pew Institute (link below), about 1 in 5 Americans has a reported disability, and “are about three times as likely as those without a disability to say they never go online (23% vs. 8%)”. These figures are not exclusive to the US, and are actually quite similar in European countries.

Why is this?

Well, there is not one right answer, as there are many factors that go into these figures, but we can safely assume that for some, lack of accessibility deters them from using tech devices. One example is something as basic as phone buttons. For someone with a visual impairment, it can be confusing to use a device where all the buttons feel the same.

The simple solution is adding textures to buttons. Some devices already do this, and quite well, but why is this not a standard? It would not only benefit visually impaired users, but also anyone who has ever tried to differentiate volume controls while the device is in their pocket or purse will know that this small tweak would improve their user experience.

When you see a report like this, it is important not to ignore such users, but instead to think "how can we get them on board?" If you make an effort to tap into this lesser-served market, it will surely benefit your bottom line.

Pew Institute report: http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2017/04/07/disabled-americans-are-less-likely-to-use-technology/