Interfaces for everyone: A case study on how to implement accessibility in a large software company

Abstract: During the past decades, a substantial amount of research efforts have been made regarding making the web and digital content more accessible. However, research states that the current accessibility state globally is yet not sufficient, resulting in excluding a large group of people due to disabilities. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the current accessibility state of the prototype version of Ubisoft Connect’s chat application and how to make accessibility a natural part of a team's existing agile processes. This is performed by gathering knowledge about a team's current working processes by conducting two qualitative interviews, along with a nine-week observation, allowing us to partake in their processes when implementing changes. To evaluate the chat's current accessibility state, two of the most used usability evaluation techniques are used: heuristic evaluation and user testing. The heuristic evaluation is based on the internationally recognized standard: Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.1. The findings from the heuristic evaluation are implemented by the Ubisoft Connect team in the chat prototype and are later tested by 4 testers with disabilities. The result of this case study shows that heuristic evaluation and user testing should be used to complement each other since one method alone cannot create a valid accessibility state. Furthermore, it shows that agile management is the preferred method when making these changes.