by dorota.bicarova -

WebExpo Conference 2025, Day 01

Digital Accessibility Meets Physical Accessibility

As a master’s student of Interaction Design at FH JOANNEUM in Graz and a passionate aspiring UX designer, attending the WebExpo Conference 2025 was both inspiring and eye-opening. On the first day, the talk that resonated with me the most was “Digital Accessibility Meets Physical Accessibility” presented by Erik Gustafsson Spagnoli, Nathalie Pentler & Daniel Göransson. A session that confronted a crucial, yet often overlooked topic: the intersection of digital and physical barriers in user experience design.

The UX of ICT

One of the examples that stood out was the real-world usability of ICT (Information and Communication Technology) kiosks, especially pickup touchscreens in public spaces. These screens are often placed too high for wheelchair users or children to reach, and they typically lack audio support or voice-guided interactions. It might sound like a small detail, but from an accessibility standpoint, it can determine whether someone can independently use a service or not. This example made me reflect on how vital it is to go beyond screens and look at the entire context in which a product or service is used.

When “Old School” Is More Inclusive

The talk also raised an interesting reflection for me: while digitalization brings many advantages, there are situations where physical, tactile elements, like a good old-fashioned button, might be the better solution. For someone with visual impairments or limited dexterity, navigating a touchscreen can be frustrating, confusing, or simply impossible. A clearly labeled, tactile, physical button can offer a much more intuitive and accessible alternative. It’s a valuable reminder that digital innovation should never come at the cost of inclusivity.

As designers, we shouldn’t blindly chase modern interfaces just because they’re sleek or trendy. Sometimes, the most user-friendly design choice is the one that feels familiar, tangible, and grounded in human ergonomics.

Inclusive Interaction Design

What fascinated me the most was the proposed solution involving a voice guide that activates when the user presses the screen longer. This tiny interaction design change, a prolonged touch to trigger audio feedback, is a smart, simple fix that can drastically improve the inclusivity of the interface. As someone pursuing a career in UX design, these kinds of insights are gold. They underline that good design is not only about aesthetics or digital flow, but about enabling access for everyone, regardless of ability or environment.

Designing for the Margins

A key takeaway for me was the principle of designing for the margins. By designing for users who experience the most significant barriers, like those with physical disabilities, we often end up creating better products for all users. This aligns perfectly with what I’ve been learning in my studies and during my internships: that UX is about solving real problems, and accessibility should never be an afterthought.

Conclusion

This talk also made me reflect on the importance of field research – going out, observing, talking to users, and understanding their journeys in context. A wheelchair user trying to use a touchscreen in a crowded city center might face a vastly different experience than someone using it at home. Empathy in design starts with understanding these differences.

by arinze.onyebuchi -

07 Designing for Vulnerable Populations: Privacy for Everyone

Introduction

Not all users interact with digital platforms in the same way. Vulnerable populations, such as children, the elderly, and those with limited technological literacy, often face unique challenges in managing their digital footprints. This post explores how privacy tools and frameworks can address these diverse needs, ensuring inclusivity and accessibility. These considerations will play a significant role in refining my thesis goals of creating possible solutions that works for everyone.

Why Vulnerable Populations Need Special Consideration

Certain groups are more susceptible to privacy risks due to limited understanding or access to tools:

  1. Children: Often unaware of data tracking, making them targets for ads or manipulative designs. Example: Gaming apps that collect location data without parental consent.
  2. Elderly Users: Many find privacy tools overwhelming or confusing, leaving them exposed to scams or data misuse.
  3. Low-Literacy or Non-Tech-Savvy Users: Struggle with complex settings or opaque terms of service, leading to accidental oversharing.
Certain groups are more susceptible to privacy risks due to limited understanding or access to tools

How can privacy tools and frameworks be designed to accommodate the unique needs of vulnerable populations?

  • What barriers prevent vulnerable groups from effectively managing their digital footprints?
  • How can accessibility principles improve privacy tool design?

Design Strategies for Inclusive Privacy Tools

  1. Simplified Interfaces: Prioritize clean layouts and clear labels. Example: A single dashboard with large buttons for enabling/disabling permissions (e.g., “Stop Location Sharing”).
  2. Parental Controls: Design features that empower parents to manage their children’s digital activity. Example: Tools that notify parents about apps collecting sensitive data.
  3. Educational Content: Embed tutorials or interactive guides that explain privacy concepts in simple terms. Example: A short video explaining what cookies are and how to manage them.
  4. Localization and Accessibility: Ensure tools are available in multiple languages and compatible with assistive technologies. Example: Text-to-speech options for visually impaired users.

These strategies will be incorporated into the possible solutions I will develop to ensure inclusivity is a core component.

Challenges in Addressing Vulnerable Populations’ Needs

  1. Diverse Requirements: Balancing simplicity with functionality to meet varied user needs.
  2. Awareness Gaps: Educating users about privacy risks without overwhelming them.
  3. Compliance with Laws: Adhering to regulations like COPPA (Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act) and ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act).

Relevance to My Thesis Goals

Inclusivity is central to my work. By addressing the needs of vulnerable users, I can ensure the solutions I propose are effective for a wider audience. These insights will help shape design guidelines that prioritize accessibility and equity, making privacy tools genuinely universal.

by genovefa.zourkou -

1.4. Engagement Across Generations: Designing Inclusive Museum Spaces

Museums today are not only repositories of artifacts and history but dynamic spaces for community interaction, learning, and inspiration. Engagement, often described as the depth of a visitor’s emotional, intellectual, and physical connection with an institution’s offerings, is a multifaceted concept that extends beyond mere attendance. As Ed Rodley discusses in his article “Defining ‘Engagement’,” the term encompasses both the individual’s immersive experience and the reciprocal interaction between the museum and its audience. This dual perspective highlights the importance of creating spaces where visitors are not only recipients of information but active participants, contributing to a shared cultural dialogue [9]. By designing meaningful experiences tailored to diverse age groups — children, adults, and seniors — museums can inspire curiosity, provide learning opportunities, and build lasting relationships with their audiences.

The Importance of Multi-Generational Engagement

In a world that’s becoming increasingly diverse in terms of age and interests, museums must design experiences that cater to different learning needs. The ability to connect with visitors from varied backgrounds and life stages not only enhances the relevance of museums but also strengthens the role of these institutions as community hubs. While children may crave interaction and sensory stimulation, adults often seek intellectual depth and critical engagement. Seniors, on the other hand, benefit from programs that emphasize accessibility, comfort, and intergenerational connection. Creating museum spaces that accommodate all these needs ensures that museums remain engaging for everyone, regardless of age.

Understanding the Audience

Children: Spark Curiosity and Play
Children thrive in interactive, sensory-rich environments that encourage exploration and play. Features such as tactile displays, hands-on workshops, and augmented reality experiences provide opportunities for active engagement. For example, children’s areas in science and history museums combine education with fun, allowing children to learn by doing. The integration of digital technologies and gamification has become central in creating these captivating experiences [1].

Adults: Encourage Depth and Discovery
Adults often seek intellectual engagement, context, and connections to broader societal issues. Guided tours, audio guides, and themed events tailored to specific interests offer platforms for deeper understanding. Offering flexible experiences, such as evening talks and workshops, allows adults to explore topics at their own pace while connecting with like-minded individuals [2].

Seniors: Foster Connection and Comfort
For senior visitors, accessibility, comfort, and meaningful interaction are key. Gentle-paced tours, comfortable seating, and programs that promote reminiscence and storytelling create welcoming spaces. Intergenerational programs also offer seniors the opportunity to engage with younger generations, enhancing the experience for both groups [3].

Strategies for Engagement Across Generations

  1. Co-creation with Communities: Involving community members in the design and development of museum programs ensures that exhibits and events resonate with diverse age groups. This participatory approach ensures that museums adapt to the changing needs of their audiences [4].
  2. Intergenerational Programs: Activities that bring together different generations—such as family days or joint art projects—help to build stronger community connections while addressing the needs of all age groups.
  3. Technological Adaptation: Mobile apps, virtual reality, and other technologies allow museums to offer personalized, adaptive experiences that cater to individual preferences and accessibility needs.
  4. Continuous Feedback: Gathering feedback from visitors across all age groups helps to refine programming and maintain its relevance. Surveys, focus groups, and online reviews provide invaluable insights for future initiatives [5].

Challenges and Opportunities

One challenge in designing for diverse audiences is balancing the needs of different age groups without diluting the experience. Tailored content, adaptive technologies, and modular exhibit designs can address this. Another consideration is ensuring accessibility for all visitors, from physical accommodations to cognitive inclusivity. Research highlights the importance of visitor studies in understanding audience engagement. Insights from studies, such as those examining the impact of cultural capital and motivations, can guide museums in designing experiences that resonate deeply with visitors [7][8].

Conclusion

Engaging audiences across generations requires thoughtful design, community involvement, and a commitment to inclusivity. By addressing the unique needs of children, adults, and seniors, museums can create spaces that not only educate but also inspire and connect communities. As we move forward, let’s envision museums as vibrant hubs where all generations can come together to share, learn, and grow.

References

[1] Museums Association, “Engaging audiences and communities,” Available: https://www.museumsassociation.org/careers/competency-framework/engaging-audiences-and-communities/. 

[2] Thinking Museum, “Museum visitor teams and the art of informal engagement,” Apr. 18, 2024. Available: https://thinkingmuseum.com/2024/04/18/museum-visitor-teams-and-the-art-of-informal-engagement/. 

[3] Crowd101, “Museum community engagement,” Available: https://www.crowd101.com/museum-community-engagement/. 

[4] MuseumNext, “6 museums successfully cementing relationships with their audiences,” Available: https://www.museumnext.com/article/6-museums-successfully-cementing-relationships-with-their-audiences/. 

[5] Museum-iD, “Audience engagement: How museums learned to love their visitors,” Available: https://museum-id.com/audience-engagement-how-museums-learned-to-love-their-visitors-by-adam-rozan/. 

[6] C. Jones, “Enhancing our understanding of museum audiences: Visitor studies in the twenty-first century,” Museum & Society, vol. 13, no. 4, pp. 539-544, 2015. 

[7] B. Taheri, A. Jafari, and K. O’Gorman, “Keeping your audience: Presenting a visitor engagement scale,” Tourism Management, Pre-print Draft, 2025. 

[8] G. Black, The Engaging Museum: Developing museums for visitor involvement, London: Routledge, 2005. 

[9] E. Dawson, “Defining engagement,” Thinking About Museums, Dec. 4, 2019. Available: https://thinkingaboutmuseums.com/2019/12/04/defining-engagement/.