Incorporating accessibility and inclusion into product development

Foursys innovation lab structures accessibility practices from the earliest stages of digital development

The Foursys innovation lab has structured an approach geared towards digital inclusion and accessibility from the earliest stages of product development, with the aim of ensuring that technological solutions are designed in a way that is more equitable, understandable and usable by different user profiles. The initiative strengthened the incorporation of accessibility practices as a structural part of the innovation process.

The challenges: incorporating accessibility as a structuring practice in the development of digital products

Historically, accessibility initiatives have only been carried out in the final stages of development, which reduces their effectiveness and increases the cost of adapting solutions.

Among the main challenges were:

• Inserting accessibility as a principle right from the conception of digital products;

• Ensuring adequate textual comprehension for different user profiles;

• Improving the browsing experience for people with hearing and visual impairments;

• Establish visual standards compatible with contrast and readability guidelines;

Structuring replicable practices within the innovation lab's development process.

The initiative required the creation of a structured model for inclusive development integrated into the cycle of building digital solutions.

Why Foursys?

The initiative was led by the Foursys innovation lab with the aim of consolidating accessibility practices as part of a development culture oriented towards user experience and social responsibility applied to technology.

Among the main differentials considered were:

• FourLabs' performance in structuring user-centered innovation practices;

• Integrating accessibility into the development cycle from the initial stages;

• Application of good UX writing practices and hierarchization of information;

• Adoption of assistive technologies compatible with digital inclusion standards;

Structuring replicable guidelines for the continuous evolution of products.

Success factors

The implementation of accessibility practices was supported by structural adjustments to the organization of content and interface elements, ensuring greater clarity, understanding and inclusion in the digital experience.

Among the main success factors were:

• Application of textual hierarchization to improve understanding of information;

• Inclusion of accessibility resources compatible with content readers and translators;

• Adapting visual elements according to contrast and legibility guidelines;

• Insertion of subtitles in audiovisual content;

Structuring replicable practices within the innovation lab's development flow.

The solution: accessibility incorporated into the digital product development cycle

Foursys structured a set of practices aimed at digital inclusion and accessibility integrated into the development process conducted by the innovation laboratory.

The solution included

• Application of textual hierarchization to improve understanding and navigation of content;

• Implementation of VLibras to increase accessibility for hearing-impaired users;

• Inclusion of subtitles in audiovisual content produced in digital products;

• Adjustment of color contrast and visual elements according to good accessibility practices;

Structuring inclusive development guidelines incorporated into the flow of creating digital solutions.

Results

The structured incorporation of accessibility practices broadened the scope of the solutions developed and strengthened the innovation laboratory's performance in initiatives aimed at digital inclusion:

• Development of more inclusive and accessible products;

• Strengthening innovation with social responsibility applied to technology;

Evolution of the development process with a focus on diversity and user experience.