Ra11y Job Finder – How might we create a tool that helps people who are blind find employment?
The Product
Ra11y Job Finder is a mobile dedicated app and responsive website that I designed as part of Google’s UX Design Certificate program. The project prompt was to design an accessible job search tool to help people who are blind. The primary target users include job seekers who have a visual disability.
Project overview
The Problem
People who have visual disabilities are often marginalized and have difficulties finding employment and further so, struggle to find employment where accessible tools and resources are provided.
The Goal
Design a tool that provides people who have visual disabilities with a place to showcase their skills and experience so that they can find meaningful employment.
My Role
Sole UX designer for the Ra11y Job Finder app and responsive website from conception to delivery.
Responsibilities
Conducting interviews, paper and digital wireframing, low and high-fidelity prototyping, conducting usability studies, accounting for accessibility, iterating on designs, determining information architecture, and responsive design.
Understanding the user
User research summary
I conducted secondary research to understand user’s difficulties when trying to find employment and to explore accessible tools that are available to the blind community. This research helped me develop questions that I could ask during user interviews. Most interview participants reported frustrations with the lack of access to accessible tools and resources when applying for jobs and in the workplace. The feedback I received clarified the need for an accessible tool to find employment, but also to give people who have visual disabilities the tools needed to apply for jobs and showcase their skill sets and experience.
Personas
Problem Statement: Matias is an educated data entry specialist who is blind who needs to find a job with access to assistive technologies because they want to be an independent and valuable part of the workplace.
Problem Statement: Izabel is a customer service professional who is blind who needs a way to search for jobs that are inclusive and offer assistive resources because they want to find a job where they are respected and can inspire other people with disabilities.
Competitive Audit
Starting the design
Ideation
I did a few quick ideation exercises to come up with ideas for how to address gaps identified in the competitive audit. I focused on accessible ways to apply for jobs and showcasing skills or work experience.
Wireframes
After ideating and sketching paper wireframes, I created the initial designs for the Ra11y Job Finder app. I focused on providing assistance for job seekers who are blind at every step of the process.
Low-fidelity prototype
The low-fidelity prototype connected the primary user flow of creating a profile, connecting with a mentor, and applying for a job, so the prototype could be used in a usability study.
Usability Study
Findings
- Users had difficulty navigating the messages feature while using a screen reader.
- Users were off-put by the use of the words/phrases that include references to viewing, seeing and getting help.
- Most users navigate by headers when using a screen reader.
Refining the design
Mockups
Insights from the usability studies guided design changes including the addition of a floating search bar for better navigation within the messages feature.
Additionally, design changes were made after usability studies highlighted a lack of empathy in the design, specifically around the the use of the words see, view, and help.
High-fidelity prototype
Accessibility considerations
The usability study also highlighted the importance of navigating by headers when using a screen reader. To make this clear to engineers, I created markups that clearly define the need for typographical hierarchy throughout the design.
- All of my focus was centered on users who have visual disabilities. Clear typographical hierarchy was used throughout the design.
- Contrasting colors were selected to conform with WCAG accessibility standards and are accessible to users with visual disabilities such as color blindness, low vision, and other visual impairments.
- I conducted thorough research on the use of screen readers and became familiar with the technology available. Along with interviewing and collaboration with the blind community and conducting usability studies exclusively with users who have visual impairments.
Responsive designs
I designed three variations of screen sizes. I included versions of the site for mobile, tablet, and desktop. I created use cases to help guide my designs to fit the specific user needs for each device and screen size.
Going Forward
Takeaways
Impact: This design offers users who have visual disabilities a platform to showcase their skills and experience. Connecting them with employers who value diversity and provide access to necessary assistive technologies and resources. Through gaining meaningful and inclusive employment, users will feel more independent along with feeling more connected to a larger community.
What I learned: Going into this project, I knew that it was going to be challenging to empathize with people who are visually impaired. However, I have learned that, with thorough research and communication, it is possible to design for any user need. Designing through tough challenges can produce amazing products that can have a huge impact on traditionally marginalized communities.
A sincere thank you for reviewing my work on the Ra11y Job Finder app and responsive website! I have more to share and would enjoy the opportunity to show you what I can do.
torreystringer.com 