Presentation
Breaking the “Good Enough” Mindset: Accessibility Icebreakers for HFE
DescriptionDesigns that seem “good enough” often hide accessibility barriers that only become visible when we intentionally look for them or experience them for ourselves. This interactive session introduces two hands on activities that help Human Factors and Ergonomics (HFE) professionals uncover those hidden challenges in both physical and digital systems. Participants will analyze everyday household objects with known usability issues, identify where designs break down, and collaborate on inclusive redesigns that better support users of all ages and abilities. They will then conduct a rapid usability and accessibility evaluation of a digital interface, examining elements such as navigation clarity, alternative text, and keyboard access.
Through these activities, attendees experience firsthand how design decisions—not user limitations—create friction, confusion, and exclusion. Group discussions connect these observations to core HFE principles, including affordances, ability bias, and universal design. Participants will leave with practical, ready to use activities they can bring to classrooms, teams, and organizations to spark meaningful conversations about accessibility.
This session is ideal for practitioners, educators, and students seeking engaging ways to build empathy, strengthen inclusive design skills, and challenge the assumption that “good enough” design works for everyone.
Through these activities, attendees experience firsthand how design decisions—not user limitations—create friction, confusion, and exclusion. Group discussions connect these observations to core HFE principles, including affordances, ability bias, and universal design. Participants will leave with practical, ready to use activities they can bring to classrooms, teams, and organizations to spark meaningful conversations about accessibility.
This session is ideal for practitioners, educators, and students seeking engaging ways to build empathy, strengthen inclusive design skills, and challenge the assumption that “good enough” design works for everyone.
Event Type
Alternative Format
TimeWednesday, October 21st1:30pm - 2:30pm PDT
Location