Inclusive Paths
App Navigation redesign to fit the cross platform needs of our Blind and Low Vision users
Roles
Me: UX Design & Research
Team: CTO, Software Engineer
Timeline
Four weeks total, broken into two main sprints
Scope
iOS, Android, Mac, PC, and accessibility devices
Context | Where we started
The goal of this project was to redesign the navigation for a cross-platform application that merged two separate apps into one cohesive experience. The challenge was to create a unified interface that catered to the needs of both iOS and Android users, while also considering the specific accessibility requirements for each platform.
The initial scenario involved two separate apps, each designed specifically for iOS and Android devices. As part of a strategic decision to streamline the user experience and enhance efficiency, the decision was made to consolidate the functionality of both apps into a single, cross-platform application. This new app would not only cater to web and mobile users but also needed to support various accessibility devices and tools, ensuring an inclusive experience for all users.
The complexity of this project lay in merging the features and workflows from the two distinct apps into a cohesive and intuitive interface that would be familiar and accessible to both iOS and Android users. Additionally, careful consideration had to be given to the specific accessibility tools and requirements of each platform, including screen readers, keyboard shortcuts, voice commands, magnifiers, and other assistive technologies.
How we started | Methods
Research Methods
• Card Sort
• Usability Analysis
• Focus Groups
• User Interviews & Affinity Mapping
Design Methods
• Divergent Design
• Accessible Prototyping
• Usability testing & Iteration
• A/B Testing
Revamping Information Architecture for Accessibility: Card Sorting
We kickstarted the navigation redesign process with a card sort, so that we could gain insight into our users’ mental models and expectations about information hierarchy.
In total, our card sort consisted of 57 items that represented the different features, information, preferences, etc. that our existing iOS and Android apps both had. Because there was no innately accessible card sort study we could send out online, I worked with 15 individual participants remotely to complete the study. Although it would have been ideal to have more participants, I also had the benefit of being able to hear their insights as we completed the card sort, and the opportunity to ask follow up questions throughout.
I was also particularly interested in if/how information architecture preferences would be impacted by the use of assistive technology as our users’ primary way of interfacing with digital content. As sighted users, we can quickly scan the contents of a page, or set of menus, without the need to physically interact with an open menu again. For screenreader users, however, for each item to be read to them, they need to swipe, tap, etc.
Results & Insights
The results of the card sort study revealed a fascinating divide in user preferences regarding the app's navigation menu structure. The participants' responses were almost evenly split into two distinct groups, each advocating for a different approach.
The first group favored menus with long top-level lists, preferring a more straightforward and direct approach to accessing content. They appreciated having immediate access to a wide range of options, allowing them to quickly navigate to their desired destinations without the need for additional submenus or layers of interaction. This group emphasized simplicity & efficiency because they could see all available choices at the same level of interaction.
On the other hand, the second group expressed a preference for a short list of top-level menu items accompanied by more subitems within each menu. They found this hierarchical structure to be more organized and easier to navigate, allowing for a deeper level of content categorization. This group emphasized efficiency because they would not have to swipe through a long list of items every time they wanted to navigate somewhere.
The divergent preferences observed in the study underscored the importance of accommodating different user mental models and preferences when designing the navigation menu. The findings emphasized the need to strike a balance between simplicity and depth of hierarchy, ultimately catering to the diverse needs and expectations of users.
These results played a pivotal role in informing the subsequent design decisions, leading to the development of a hybrid navigation approach that combined elements from both groups. The goal was to strike a compromise that offered a concise top-level menu while providing ample submenus and organizational structures for users seeking more detailed categorization.
First Pass Design
With the insight from the card sort, we started with a hamburger menu that had a medium length list of navigation items, with more focus on prioritizing commonly used pages and actions, and some submenus for more specific and related content.
hS