Ability-Based Design

TLDR

Current approaches to accessible computing aim to make technology usable for people with disabilities, but often focus on disability rather than ability, whereas ability‑based design shifts the focus to users’ abilities to fully leverage human potential. The authors propose ability‑based design, a framework that centers users’ abilities throughout the design process, and outline a research agenda to advance this approach. The study introduces seven ability‑based design principles, each grounded in specific projects that informed their formulation.

Abstract

Current approaches to accessible computing share a common goal of making technology accessible to users with disabilities. Perhaps because of this goal, they may also share a tendency to centralize disability rather than ability. We present a refinement to these approaches called ability-based design that consists of focusing on ability throughout the design process in an effort to create systems that leverage the full range of human potential. Just as user-centered design shifted the focus of interactive system design from systems to users, ability-based design attempts to shift the focus of accessible design from disability to ability. Although prior approaches to accessible computing may consider users’ abilities to some extent, ability-based design makes ability its central focus. We offer seven ability-based design principles and describe the projects that inspired their formulation. We also present a research agenda for ability-based design.