This is a presentation I gave to the Department of State's International Visitors Leadership Program, April 16, 2013. Links to projects and materials mentioned in the slides are available in the Notes pages of the presentation.

1. Usability in civic life
Whitney Quesenbery
WQusability.com and Usability in Civic Life

2. 2
In 2000...

3. 3
2005 2006 2008 2012

4. 4
Usability
The ability for the intended audience to
use a product or service in the
anticipated context of use efficiently,
effectively, and with satisfaction.
- ISO 9241-11

5. 5
Disability
The outcome of the interaction between
a person with an impairment and the
environment and attitudinal barriers they
may face.
- International Classification of Functioning (ICF)

6. 6
Accessibility
The usability of a product, service,
environment, or facility by people with
the widest range of capabilities.
- ISO 9241-20

7. 7
The POUR Principles of Accessibility
Perceivable
Operable
Understandable
Robust
W3C – Web Accessibility
Initiative
Web Content Accessibilty Guidelines: WCAG 2.0

8. 8
Plain language
People can
find what they need
understand what they find
use the information
to meet their goals
- Center for Plain Language

9. 9
Many barriers to cognitive accessibility
are the same as usability problems for
general audience…but more severe.
- Clayton Lewis

10. 10
Design for all
A web for everyone

11. 11
New York City - 2010

12. 12
Real, human, and political
consequences

13. 13
Investigate problems

14. 14
Changing the conversation
Design the law

15. 15
Changing the conversation
Design the law
Ballot design by Oxide Design Co.
More information at Usability in Civic Life: http://www.usabilityinciviclife.org/a-better-ballot-for-ny/

16. 16
(1) Mark only with a writing instrument provided by the board of elections.
(2) To vote for a candidate whose name is printed on this ballot fill in the (insert oval or square, as applicable) above or next to the name
of the candidate.
(3) To vote for a person whose name is not printed on this ballot write or stamp his or her name in the space labeled “write-in” that
appears (insert at the bottom of the column, the end of the row or at the bottom of the candidate names, as applicable) for such office
(and, if required by the voting system in use at such election, the instructions shall also include “and fill in the (insert oval or square, as
applicable) corresponding with the write-in space in which you have written in a name”).
(4) To vote yes or no on a proposal, if any, that appears on the (indicate where on the ballot the proposal may appear) fill in the (insert
oval or square, as applicable) that corresponds to your vote.
(5) Any other mark or writing, or any erasure made on this ballot outside the voting squares or blank spaces provided for voting will void
this entire ballot.
(6) Do not overvote. If you select a greater number of candidates than there are vacancies to be filled, your ballot will be void for that
public office, party position or proposal.
(7) If you tear, or deface, or wrongly mark this ballot, return it and obtain another. Do not attempt to correct mistakes on the ballot by
making erasures or cross outs. Erasures or cross outs may invalidate all or part of your ballot. Prior to submitting your ballot, if you make
a mistake in completing the ballot or wish to change your ballot choices, you may obtain and complete a new ballot. You have a right to a
replacement ballot upon return of the original ballot.
(8) After completing your ballot, insert it into the ballot scanner and wait for the notice that your ballot has been successfully scanned. If
no such notice appears, seek the assistance of an election inspector.
Better instructions
for everyone

17. 17
The Anywhere Ballot
University of Baltimore, CivicDesigning, Oxide Design Co. A project of the
Accessible Voting Technology Initiative

18. 18
So everyone can cast
a ballot that is...
Marked as intended
Cast as marked
Counted as cast
An election for everyone
No segregation

19. 19
It’s not just ballots
Polling place signs

20. 20
It’s not just elections
Medicare Summary Notice

21. 21
It makes government more efficient
Public Records Request

22. 22
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
Mortgage information
www.consumerfinance.gov/knowbeforeyouowe

23. 23
From advocacy to a
place at the table
Photos: mtstcil.org and ITIF AVTI/CATEA

24. 24
Policy by design
Inclusive workshops

25. 25
Policy by design
Crowdsourcing innovation
OpenIDEO.com – Accessible elections challenge

26. 26
Tools and processes for
user-centered design
Courtesy, Open University

27. 27
Sharing stories
creates relationships
From Storytelling for User Experience

28. 28
Get involved Be a superhero.

29. 29
Whitney Quesenbery
whitney@wqusability.com
http://www.wqusability.com
Usability in Civic Life
http://usabilityinciviclife.org
Field guides to ensuring voter intent
http://civicdesigning.org
Twitter: @whitneyq

30. 30
Storytelling for User Experience
with Kevin Brooks
Global UX
with Daniel Szuc
A Web for Everyone
with Sarah Horton