CHANGES FOR NEXT ITERATION
Improve the overall design for a better visual and user experience.
Increase the prominence of the 'check the accessibility status' feature.
Discussions with our mentor during this phase made us realize that we could also present the information differently. Since we can't determine our target user's preferred approach without testing, we chose to create Version 2 instead of proceeding to iteration 3.
Thanks for reading!
Here, we introduced a binary approach by considering two scenarios:
‘Everything is working’ (represented by green), and
‘Issues detected’ (represented by red) when any accessibility amenities has issues or the station is not accessible.
Added a wheelchair accessibility mode on the homepage, providing easy access for the accessibility status.
Addressed the need for more detailed information by including accessibility features and their status, starting with public transit stations.
This was done in preparation for future A/B testing, User Interviews and other usability studies between V1 and V2.
‘Fully Wheelchair Accessible’
‘Partially Wheelchair Accessible’ when some services might not be available and/or functional.
‘Not Wheelchair Accessible’ when the station is not wheelchair accessible.
Here, we introduced 3 scenarios, each represented by a unique icon and color scheme :
The article, Ada Restaurants: Enhancing Restaurant Accessibility for People with Disabilities proved to be beneficial.
in cases when issues arises, the accessibility information is expanded by default
increased prominence
Get Direction Flow
Location Details Flow
Restaurant Page Flow
Scenario 1
Scenario 2
Scenario 3
This tooltip will be presented to the users everytime they come on the screen unless they select the checkbox.
Scroll Down
Scroll Down
Previous page used a green box for attention; on this page, we followed Google Maps visual style for information display
Non-Accessible Location
“ ” is used here to denote the non accessibility, along with the red box.
Restaurants with accessibility features have an icon in front of their names.
The list of features will change as per the locations
The accessibility information is denoted by just a symbol in the list view of the restaurants, and more information can be accessed after going to the restaurant page.
refined the heading from "Accessibility Status" to "Wheelchair Accessibility Status" to narrow the focus and cater specifically to wheelchair users.
Conduct Usability Studies
Conduct A/B Testing with Version 1 and Version 2, followed by asking a few questions & end with SUS form.
Then, conduct user interviews making them perform tasks for both “the Version that was preferred the most” and “current Google Maps”
Alternative Nearby Accessible Stations
Understanding the significance of providing users with practical choices, we propose incorporating details about nearby accessible stations. If the current station lacks wheelchair accessibility, the system could dynamically display information about alternative stations that do offer such accessibility.
Important Feedbacks
Enhancing Wheelchair Accessibility on Google Maps
Primary Insights
LoFi to HiFi - Iteration 1
IMAGINE A SCENARIO
NEXT, TO CHECK IF OUR GOALS ALLIGN WITH OUR TARGET USERS, WE CONDUCTED SURVEYS WITH 27 PARTICIPANTS
IDENTIFIED CHALLENGES
PERSONA
WIREFRAMES OF THE NEW FEATURE
DESK RESEARCH
FUTURE WORK
FUTURE IMPACT
...you fractured your leg and need to use crutches for three weeks. One day, you arrive at the train station and upon reaching there you find the elevator to the platform isn’t working. Now, you’re stuck there, facing the dilemma of either going home or taking a taxi because you can’t take the stairs.
Feeling helpless, frustrated? For some people, this is their everyday reality.
Current Google Maps
Google Maps with the new feature
Increased Independence
Enhanced Quality Life
Increased independence as they gain access to accurate and detailed information about the accessibility of various locations.
This will empower them to plan their routes, choose accessible transportation options, and navigate public spaces with confidence.
It will reduce the challenges and inconveniences they face in their daily lives, allowing them to participate more fully in social, professional, and recreational activities.
I'm open to new opportunities and would love to hear from you.
MY ROLE
Secondary Research
Creating and Analysing Primary Research Studies.
Proposing the new feature
UI design
THE TEAM
Worked on this academic project with 2 other students.
TIMELINE
Sept 2023 - Dec 2023
...enhance accessibility information on Google Maps for individuals with mobility disabilities to provide easily digestible information and easy access to the latest accurate key details, helping users make informed decisions both on the go and in advance?
Focus on optimizing small interface elements to ensure that users can quickly and easily digest accessibility information.
HOW MIGHT WE
THE GOAL
PROCESS
proceeding to iteration 3.
and Version 2.
- The reason it is called Version 1 is in the next part.
- Designed this to set the stage for future A/B Testing, user interviews and other usability studies between Version 1
- Shifted to desk research from usability testing due to time constraints.
- Discussion with our mentor lead us to think that the information can be presented in a different way too.
- Since we can't determine our target user's preferred approach without testing, we created version 2 instead of
Target Users: Individuals with mobility disability.
The survey was designed for participants to provide anonymous feedback on the following along with other important information: (1) how often they go out (2) the commutes they take and (3) their experience using accessibility features in navigation apps they use
Wheelchair users go out regularly just like everyone. However, the navigation apps they use often lack accurate accessibility information, leaving them frustrated and feeling helpless.
Our previous assumption was confirmed by our responses, most of our participants rely on public transit and use Google Maps as their navigation app.
Even when accessibility information was occasionally accurate, participants highlighted the need for more detailed information to make informed decisions. For example: 'The station did have an elevator, but upon arrival, we found it was not in service.'
The accessibility information should be clear and easily comprehensible, empowering wheelchair users to confidently make quick decisions both in advance and especially while on the move.
From primary insights
Changed the mode’s color from blue to green for increased prominence
wheelchair accessibility mode activated
Scenario 1
Scenario 2
As usability testing was not possible due to time constraint, we shifted our focus to desk research to inform the design of the 'Wheelchair Accessible Restaurants' flow.
Let’s take a look at the TRAVEL experiences of people with mobility disabilities
What’s going on in NYC ??
source: twitter
source: twitter
100,000 NYC residents use wheelchairs
out of nearly 1 million who have self-identified as living with disabilities.
~ AccessibleNYC, 2019 edition.
Unknown %
caretakers of individuals using wheelchairs
other unidentified wheelchair users, such as tourists, temporary workers, and individuals using various other mobility aids.
A single “Accessibility info may differ from real-world conditions” warning is barely enough, especially for people who put in significantly more effort to travel.
Wheelchair users should have easy access to current, reliable, and comprehensible accessibility data for informed decisions whether planning ahead or navigating on the spot.
Widely used NYC transit systems including New York City Transits(subways and buses), LIRR and PATH have the latest information on their websites about the status of station escalators, elevators, and ramp entrances.
Integrating this information into Google Maps will make navigation easier for everyone, as it is the most widely used navigation app. It will also simplify reporting outages and out-of-service features
HiFi - Iteration 2
VERSION 2
HiFi - Iteration 2
VERSION 1
Challenges faced:
We initially planned to use both surveys and interviews. However, challenges in conducting interviews without incentives, particularly with our small user group, led us to cancel them. We relied solely on survey responses, acknowledging limitations but still aiming to gather valuable insights.
We reserved many questions for interviews as too many open-ended questions in the survey could have tested participants' patience. For example: we planned to let them design their potential solutions to the travel problem during the interviews.
Represented by a yellow box and a blinking circle to gain users attention.
Represented by a green box and a thumbs up.
Represented by a red box and a blinking circle to gain users attention.
Here we have two scenarios where an amenity is:
1) Out of Service, denoted with “ ! ”
2) Not Available, denoted with a “ ”
SUS Score
Average SUS Score - 54.3, Marginal range
Satisfaction Rate(How likely are you to recommend this app to others?): 5.8
“Need more accessibility-related information”
“I mean the accessibility feature is not really doing much”
“Info related to accessibility is vague”
SUS Score
Average SUS Score - 65, Marginal range
Satisfaction Rate(How likely are you to recommend this app to others?): 6.6
Users favored our design for its improved accessibility feature, recognizing its potential while acknowledging the need for further improvements.
“I think the ‘Check the accessibility status' button could be made more prominent.”
“It has a lot of potential. Even though it is not perfect, it still provides much more accessibility information than the original. This way, I can train my child to use it for their independent travel.”
“If these were actually implemented, it would really help me in planning my travel in advance.”
Connected the status button to PATH's webpage, where updates and alternate routes are shared.
The Goal
Methodologies
Broken arm
Holding a baby
Situational Disability
Caretakers
Temporary Disability
Target Users
To analyze our new feature’s helpfulness and validate challenges we identified.
Activity Execution: Get participants to execute tasks on both 'existing Google Maps' and 'Google Maps incorporating the fresh feature.'
Post-Task Evaluation: Ask a few questions and conclude the study with a SUS (System Usability Scale) form.
Alongside users with permanent disability, we extended our focus to individuals with,
USABILITY TESTING