What’s the difference between accessibility, usability, and inclusion? I’m so glad you asked! This topic comes up a lot when discovering the world of accessibility, and these topics intersect and apply in different ways depending on your goals. I’d love to share a few definitions and sources I’ve found helpful.
Accessibility
Accessibility addresses discriminatory aspects related to user experience for people with any type of disabilities. This includes traits commonly linked to disabilities. As applied to the web and online learning experiences, accessibility means that people with disabilities can equally access, interact with, navigate, perceive, and understand websites and digital tools. This practice of ensuring that everyone has equal access to information and functionality on digital platforms means that people with disabilities can contribute equally to the experience without barriers.
Usability
If designing something with the needs of disabled people in mind is accessibility, designing something to make it as easy to use as possible by all potential users, regardless of what impairments they may have or what assistive technologies they may use, is called usability. Usability considers the user’s expectations and is about designing products to be effective, efficient, and satisfying. Usability is a principle of user experience (UX); however, usability alone often does not sufficiently address the needs of people with disabilities.
Inclusion
Inclusion is about diversity, belonging, and ensuring the involvement of everyone to the greatest extent possible. In some places, this is also referred to as universal design. Several accessibility practices also benefit people and situations that are a focus of inclusive design. When considering online learning experiences, inclusion addresses a broad range of issues including (but not limited to) accessibility for people with disabilities; access to and quality of hardware, software, and Internet connectivity; computer literacy and skills; and language.
Another note: accessibility is mostly objective. You are either following the guidelines, or you’re not. (More on those guidelines in a future post!) Usability and inclusion can be subjective since we’re considering all users’ opinions and expectations.